Saint Paul, MN Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Under Sec. 501 of the Saint Paul Zoning Code, accessory buildings are generally subject to the same setback standards as principal buildings, with specific exceptions for sheds, garages and similar structures. Accessory buildings may be erected in a required rear yard but must be set back at least one foot from any alley right-of-way; on corner lots the setback from the side street lot line must match what is required of principal buildings. Beyond the alley rule, accessory buildings must be set back at least 3 feet from all interior lot lines, and roof overhangs must be set back at least one-third the distance of the garage wall setback or 1 foot, whichever is greater.

If the shed sits in a nonrequired front or rear yard that adjoins a side or front yard, the setback from the interior lot line must equal the minimum side yard required for principal buildings. That interior-lot-line setback can be waived if a recorded maintenance easement is filed with the building permit application and the accessory building sits at least 3 feet from any building on the adjoining lot -- the code explains the waiver protects sunlight and air access, maintenance space, and fire/runoff protection for the neighbor.

On zoning lots with up to four principal dwelling units, a maximum of three non-dwelling accessory buildings is allowed, and together they may cover no more than 1,200 square feet of the lot. Height is separately capped in RL-RM2 residential districts: accessory buildings without a dwelling unit may not exceed 15 feet for a flat or shed roof, or 18 feet for other roof styles, while an accessory building containing a dwelling unit may reach 25 feet. Heritage preservation sites and districts are exempted from these height caps and instead go through design review.

Garages built attached but located less than 6 feet from the principal building are treated as attached for setback and lot-coverage purposes, pulling them under the stricter principal-building standards rather than the accessory rules.