Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Plymouth, MN Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

RSF-1 principal building height
35 feet maximum
Small accessory building (<=200 sf)
10 feet maximum
Larger accessory building (>200 sf)
15 feet maximum
Exempt features cap
50 feet, or +10 ft over district max
Tall-structure FAA notice
30 days before permit, over 200 ft

Summary

In the City of Plymouth's RSF-1 District, Section 21355.13 caps a principal single-family home at 35 feet, with detached accessory buildings limited by size: 10 feet if 200 square feet or less, 15 feet if larger. Section 21115.02 lets specific features like chimneys and antennas exceed the district limit by up to 10 feet.

The building height limits established in each zoning district shall not apply to the following list of items, except that no such structural element may exceed 50 feet in total height or exceed the maximum allowable height of the building by more than ten feet, whichever is greater, except by conditional use permit. ... Front (b) - Single family 50 Princ. Bldg. 35 feet ... Front (c) - Single family 25 Acc. Bldg. 200 sq. ft. or less 10 feet ... Front (d) - Other principal uses 50 Acc. Bldg. over 200 sq. ft. 15 feet

Full Breakdown

13 sets the principal building limit at 35 feet, the same cap used across most of Plymouth's single-family districts. 02, Subd. 6 separately requires that no accessory structure ever exceed the height of the principal building on the lot. 02, Subd. 1 then layers a Chapter-wide exception on every district's height table: items like antennas on existing structures, belfries, chimneys, church spires, cooling towers, cupolas, elevator penthouses, flag poles and parapet walls are excused from the district height limit entirely, but none of them may exceed 50 feet total, or the district's maximum height plus 10 feet (whichever is greater), without a conditional use permit. 03. 02, Subd. 4.

Violations & Fines

A home or accessory building built taller than its district allows is a Zoning Ordinance violation under Section 21050.05, a misdemeanor fined up to Minnesota's maximum misdemeanor level with each day over height counted separately. The Zoning Administrator can halt construction and order a structure brought into compliance under Section 21050.03, and an existing over-height structure predating the Chapter is handled instead under the non-conforming buildings rules in Section 21100.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can a house be in Plymouth's RSF-1 district?
Up to 35 feet. Section 21355.13's Area Requirements table sets the maximum building height for a principal structure in the RSF-1 Single Family Detached Dwelling District at 35 feet, the standard cap for most of the City's single-family neighborhoods.
Can my detached garage be taller than my house?
No. Section 21120.02, Subd. 6 caps accessory building height at the district maximum but adds that it can never exceed the principal building's own height, even if that leaves less room than the district table would otherwise allow.
Can a chimney or flagpole go higher than my district's height limit?
Yes, within limits. Section 21115.02, Subd. 1 exempts items like chimneys, flag poles, church spires and antennas from the district height cap, but none may exceed 50 feet total, or the district maximum plus 10 feet, whichever is greater, without a conditional use permit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Plymouth

All Plymouth rules

Compare Plymouth to another location·View the Minnesota building setbacks & zoning overview

Get notified when Structure Height Limits in Plymouth, MN changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Hennepin County handle structure height limits.

Minneapolis, MN
Some Restrictions