Olmsted County, MN Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Section 6.04(C)(5)-(7) of the R-2 Mixed Low Density Residential District, the county's zone for modest multi-unit development in the unincorporated area, sets four separate setbacks. Front yard depth must be "not less than forty-five (45) feet... on all lots adjoining federal, state, and county roads," dropping to "not less than twenty-five (25) feet... on lots adjoining local roads and streets." The side street yard mirrors that 45-foot/25-foot split by road classification, while the interior side yard, the boundary shared with a neighboring lot rather than a road, needs only "not less than ten (10) feet." Every rear yard, regardless of road type, needs "not less than twenty-five (25) feet." The county's other general residential zone, R-1 Low Density Residential, uses slightly different numbers under Section 6.02(C)(3)-(5): the local-road front and side street setbacks drop only to 30 feet rather than 25, and the interior side yard is narrower at 8 feet instead of R-2's 10.

The A-1 Agricultural Protection District applies larger setbacks to its residential areas under Section 5.00(E): 45 feet front, 45 feet side street, 25 feet interior side and 25 feet rear. Any relief from these figures requires a hardship showing to the Board of Adjustment under Section 4.08.