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

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

Key Facts

Principal building
35 feet
Accessory (<1 acre)
18 feet
Accessory (8+ acres)
24 feet
Ag buildings
Exempt (tax-verified)
Authority
Zoning Ordinance No. 3

Summary

Scott County's RR-2 Rural Residential district caps principal buildings at 35 feet under Zoning Ordinance No. 3. Detached accessory buildings scale with lot size, from 18 feet on sub-acre lots to 24 feet on large parcels.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Scott County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Principal Building Height: 35'

Source: Minnesota StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

In unincorporated townships, Zoning Ordinance No. 3 sets a 35-foot principal-building height in the RR-2 district. Detached accessory buildings scale with lot size: 18 feet under 1 acre, 20 feet from 1 to 7.99 acres, and 24 feet at 8 acres and up, with maximum floor areas rising alongside (1,000 sq ft under an acre to 6,000 sq ft on 15-plus acres). Existing or approved agricultural buildings verified through tax records are exempt. Cities including Shakopee and Prior Lake set their own height limits. Exceeding a limit requires a variance from the Board of Adjustment.

Violations & Fines

An over-height structure fails zoning review and must be lowered to the district limit or granted a variance before a permit or certificate of occupancy issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can a house be in unincorporated Scott County?
The RR-2 Rural Residential district caps principal buildings at 35 feet. Cities such as Shakopee and Savage set their own limits.
What about a large detached shop?
Accessory building height is tied to lot size, from 18 feet under an acre to 24 feet at 8 acres or more, with matching floor-area caps.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Scott County

All Scott County rules

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

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