Saint Paul's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Saint Paul, Minnesota, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

ADU Rules

Saint Paul allows up to two accessory dwelling units per one-family home under Section 65.913, capping each unit at 800 square feet or 75 percent of the principal home's floor area, whichever is greater, and barring ADUs from ever being sold separately from the main house.

Key details: Unit limit: max 2 ADUs per one-family dwelling. Size cap: 800 sq ft or 75% of main home. Detached requirement: required unless 50%+ floor area retained. Ownership: cannot be sold separately or platted apart. Occupancy: shares the Sec. 60.209 household definition.

Building or occupying an accessory dwelling unit that exceeds the two-unit cap, the 800-square-foot/75-percent size limit, or the household occupancy cap, or attempting to sell an ADU separately from the principal home, violates Section 65.913 and is a misdemeanor under Section 61.901, with fines up to $1,000 and up to 90 days imprisonment under Section 1.05.

Shed & Carport Rules

Saint Paul caps backyard sheds and detached garages at three non-dwelling accessory buildings per lot, totaling no more than 1,200 square feet, and requires a minimum 3-foot setback from interior lot lines under City Code Sec. 63.501.

Key details: Interior lot line setback: minimum 3 feet. Alley setback: minimum 1 foot. Max non-dwelling accessory buildings: 3 per lot (up to 4 units). Max combined accessory floor area: 1,200 square feet. Height (flat/shed roof, RL-RM2): 15 feet.

Building a shed or detached garage without meeting the Sec. 63.501 setback, height, or 1,200-square-foot lot-coverage limits is a zoning code violation enforced through Saint Paul's Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) permit review and property code enforcement process. Noncompliant structures can be denied a building permit, ordered relocated or modified, or subjected to a compliance order; the maintenance-easement waiver route requires proof of the recorded easement at the time of the building permit application, not after construction.

The Bottom Line

Saint Paul's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Saint Paul is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Saint Paul's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.