Saint Paul, MN Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

231 of the Saint Paul Zoning Code sets maximum lot coverage for all buildings, expressed as a percentage of the lot, for each residential zoning district: RL large lot is capped at 40%, H1 residential at 45%, and H2 residential at 50%. These percentages apply on top of the district's minimum lot area and width standards and are administered by the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) zoning staff when reviewing building permits. Footnote (b) allows an owner to exceed the base cap by an additional five percent of lot coverage, combined with up to two extra dwelling units in H1 or one in H2, if the project qualifies under one of four bonus paths: leasing at least 20% of units at or below 60% of area median income (AMI) rents for ten years, selling units affordable to buyers earning up to 80% AMI, adding a unit with three or more bedrooms, or retaining at least half the floor area of an existing structure in a conversion.

Before a building permit issues for the bonus, the owner must record a deed restriction, city contractual agreement, or HRA financing agreement documenting the affordability commitment, and post-occupancy income documentation is required. 130(c) and are not governed by this table. RM1, RM2 and RM3 multiple-family districts are instead regulated by floor area ratio (FAR) rather than a lot-coverage percentage.