Saint Paul's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Saint Paul, Minnesota, there are 9 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.
Carport Rules
Saint Paul regulates carports as accessory structures under its zoning code. Building permits are required and carports must meet setback, height, and lot coverage standards.
Key details: Permit: Building permit required. Setbacks: 4 ft from side and rear lot lines. Front Yard: Generally not permitted in front setback. Max Height: 15 ft in most residential districts. Lot Coverage: Included in total coverage calculation.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Garage Conversions
Saint Paul allows garage conversions to livable space or ADUs with a building permit. Off-street parking replacement may be required depending on transit proximity.
Key details: Permit: Building permit from DSI required. Ceiling Height: Minimum 7 ft for habitable space. Parking: Replacement parking may be required. Transit Exception: Reduced parking near transit stops. Certificate: Certificate of occupancy needed.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Tiny Homes
Saint Paul permits tiny homes as ADUs when built on a foundation and meeting state building code standards. Tiny homes on wheels are classified as recreational vehicles.
Key details: Foundation Required: Permanent tiny homes must be on foundation. THOWs: Classified as RVs, not for permanent dwelling. State Code: MN adopted IRC Appendix Q for tiny houses. Max Size: 400 sq ft under Appendix Q provisions. ADU Path: May qualify as ADU under zoning code.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
ADU Rules
Saint Paul allows ADUs by right in all residential zoning districts. Both internal and detached ADUs are permitted with size limits. Owner occupancy is not required.
Key details: Zoning: Allowed in all residential districts by right. Max Size (Detached): 1,000 sq ft or 50% of primary dwelling. Max Size (Internal): 33% of total habitable floor area. Owner Occupancy: Not required. Separate Sale: Not permitted.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Saint Paul gives residents more flexibility on adu rules.
Shed Rules
Saint Paul regulates sheds under its zoning code. Sheds up to 120 sq ft generally do not require a building permit but must comply with setback and height requirements.
Key details: Permit Threshold: 120 sq ft or less typically exempt. Setbacks: 4 ft minimum from side and rear lines. Front Yard: Not permitted in front yard. Max Height: 15 ft in most residential districts. Lot Coverage: Counts toward total coverage limit.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
ADU Permits
Saint Paul permits accessory dwelling units in single-family and two-family residential zoning districts under Chapter 65 of the Legislative Code (Title VIII Zoning Code, Ch. 60-69). The City adopted ADUs in 2016 (Ordinance 16-26) and is currently re-evaluating standards under the 2025 1A Zoning Study. Minnesota HF 4029 (2024) requires all cities of population 10,000 or more to permit ADUs by-right in single-family zones beginning January 1, 2025.
Key details: Authority: Saint Paul Code Ch. 65; HF 4029 (2024). Adopted: 2016 (Ord. 16-26). Max Detached: 800 sq ft / 10% lot. Max Height: 22 ft / 1.5 stories. State Mandate: By-right Jan 1, 2025 (HF 4029).
Building an ADU without a permit: Title VIII zoning violation, administrative citation, daily fines, and stop-work orders from DSI. Unpermitted units may not be rented under Saint Paul's rental licensing (Legislative Code Ch. 40).
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Saint Paul gives residents more flexibility on adu permits.
ADU Rental Restrictions
ADUs in Saint Paul can be rented long-term subject to Certificate of Occupancy under Legislative Code Chapter 40 AND the Saint Paul Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Code Ch. 193A) — a 3% annual rent cap adopted by ballot in 2021 and amended in 2022 with new-construction and small-landlord exemptions. Short-term rentals require a Chapter 331A lodging license and platform compliance.
Key details: Rental License: Required (Code Ch. 40). Rent Cap: 3% annually (Code Ch. 193A). New ADU Exemption: 20 years from completion. STR Threshold: <30 days (Code Ch. 331A). Lodging Tax: 6.875% + 3% St. Paul + Co.
Unlicensed long-term rental: Ch. 40 violation, administrative penalty, possible Certificate of Occupancy denial. Exceeding the 3% rent cap (where it applies): Ch. 193A enforcement by the Department of Safety and Inspections, refund/credit to tenant, administrative penalties. Unlicensed STR: Ch. 331A enforcement and platform delisting.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Saint Paul actively enforces its adu rental restrictions requirements.
ADU Impact Fees
Saint Paul does not charge general residential impact fees on ADUs because Minnesota Statutes §462.358 limits municipal impact-fee authority. Costs are limited to DSI building permit fees, plan review fees, sewer availability charges (SAC) from the Metropolitan Council, and Saint Paul Regional Water Services connection fees.
Key details: Impact Fees: None (Minn. Stat. §462.358). Building Permit: DSI fee schedule. Met Council SAC: ~$2,485 per SAC unit (2025). Park Fee: Not for ADU additions. Property Tax: Ramsey Co reassessment.
Building without permits avoids upfront fees but exposes the project to DSI stop-work orders, double permit fees on after-the-fact applications, and Met Council enforcement for unpaid SAC. Unauthorized sewer connections may face City disconnection.
Saint Paul is more permissive than most cities when it comes to adu impact fees. That said, there are still limits.
ADU Owner Occupancy
Saint Paul's 2016 ADU ordinance (Chapter 65 of the Legislative Code) historically required owner-occupancy of either the principal dwelling or the ADU. Minnesota HF 4029 (2024) effective January 1, 2025 prohibits cities from imposing owner-occupancy as a precondition to ADU approval, overriding any remaining local requirement. Both units must comply with Saint Paul Rental Licensing under Chapter 40 if rented to non-owners.
Key details: Local Rule: Required 2016-2024. State Preemption: HF 4029 - no owner-occ Jan 1, 2025. Authority: MN Session Laws 2024 Ch. 124. Rental License: Required (Code Ch. 40). Homestead: Owner must reside for exemption.
Local owner-occupancy is preempted by HF 4029 as of January 1, 2025. Renting either unit without a Saint Paul Certificate of Occupancy: Chapter 40 violation, administrative penalty, and potential prohibition on collecting rent until licensed.
The Bottom Line
Compared to many U.S. cities, Saint Paul gives residents more room on accessory structures. 3 of the 9 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.
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.