Saint Paul, MN Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- RL / H1 max height
- 35 feet
- H2 max height
- 39 feet (36 ft flat/shed roof)
- RM1 max height
- 40 feet (45-75 ft w/ CUP)
- RM2 max height
- 50 feet
- RM3 max height
- No maximum
- Enforcing office
- Zoning administrator, DSI
Summary
Saint Paul caps residential building height by zoning district under Table 66.231: 35 feet in the RL large-lot and H1 districts, 39 feet in H2 (36 feet for flat or shed roofs), 40 feet in RM1, and 50 feet in RM2, with no maximum in RM3.
Table 66.231, residential district dimensional standards, sets forth density and dimensional standards that are specific to residential districts. ... RL large lot (l) | 9,000 (a) | 60 | 2 | 35 | 30 (d) | 10 (e) | 10 | 40% ... H1 residential (l) | 1,500 (a) | 30 | 4 (b) | 35 | 10 (d) | 5 (e) | 10 | 45% ... H2 residential (l) | 1,000 (a) | 25 | 5 (b) | 39 (c) | 10 (d) | 5 (e) | 10 | 50% ... RM1 multiple-family (l) ... 40 (h) ... RM2 multiple-family ... 50 (i), (k) ... RM3 multiple-family ... no maximum ... (c) In the H2 district, the maximum height for buildings with flat or shed roofs is thirty-six (36) feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 133 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
The zoning administrator, under the Department of Safety and Inspections, applies the residential dimensional standards at Legislative Code Sec. 231. Height is measured against the zoning district a lot sits in: the RL large-lot district and the H1 (one- and two-family) district top out at 35 feet, while H2 allows 39 feet, except that flat or shed roof buildings in H2 are capped at 36 feet under table note (c). Multifamily districts step up from there: RM1 allows 40 feet, RM2 allows 50 feet (with a conditional use permit allowed up to 75 feet if at least half the parking is structured, per note (i)), and RM3 has no maximum height at all.
Note (h) lets lots over 60 feet wide or corner lots reach 45 feet in RM1 with a conditional use permit. Portions of an RM building above 50 feet must also pull back their side and rear setbacks to 25 feet, or 9 feet plus half the excess height, whichever is less, under note (j). These standards sit on top of, not instead of, the general height rules in Chapter 63: Sec. 102 exempts mechanical stacks, tanks, chimneys, church spires and flagpoles from height limits unless the planning commission sets one as a conditional use, and Sec.
103 layers a separate citywide height-district map (60/75/90 feet by mapped Area I/II/III) on top of the district table. 231 maximum without qualifying for one of the listed bonuses must seek a variance from the board of zoning appeals under Sec. 601, or a conditional use permit reviewed by the planning commission.
Violations & Fines
Building or occupying a structure above the Table 66.231 maximum without an approved variance or conditional use permit is a zoning code violation. Under Sec. 61.901 any person violating the zoning code, including an owner or lessee who knowingly allows the violation, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and Sec. 61.904 makes each day the violation continues a separate offense. The zoning administrator can also refer noncompliant structures to the board of zoning appeals or planning commission to revoke prior approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be built in a Saint Paul RL or H1 district?
Is there a height limit in Saint Paul's RM3 multifamily district?
What happens if a Saint Paul building exceeds its zoning district's height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saint Paul
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