Building Setbacks & Zoning in Duluth, MN (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Duluth, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In the City of Duluth, the Unified Development Chapter sets fixed yard setbacks for the R-1 Residential-Traditional district: a front yard tied to the block face, a 6-foot general side yard, and a 15-foot rear yard, enforced by the building official before any permit issues.
Duluth R-1 Zone Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 50-14.5, Table 50-14.5-1
TABLE 50-14.5-1 R-1 DISTRICT DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS ... STRUCTURE SETBACKS Minimum depth of front yard The smaller of 20 ft. or average of adjacent developed lots facing the same street Minimum width of side yard (oneand twofamily) General 6 ft. Lots with less with 30 ft or less of frontage 3 ft. Two-family shared wall 0 ft setback for portion of the principal structure with the shared wall ... ...
Structure Height Limits
In the City of Duluth, a building in the R-1 Residential-Traditional district is capped at 30 feet under the Unified Development Chapter, though chimneys, towers, spires, skylights and rooftop solar equipment are exempted from that cap under a separate exceptions table.
Duluth R-1 Residential Height Limit
Some RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 50-14.5, Table 50-14.5-1; § 50-21.3
TABLE 50-14.5-1 R-1 DISTRICT DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS ... STRUCTURE HEIGHT Maximum height of bulding 30 ft. ... Exceptions to Building Height Limits Television and radio towers, accessory communications towers for private use, religious assembly or ornamental spires and towers, belfries, monuments, tanks, water and fire towers, stage tower or scenery lofts, cooling towers, chimneys, elevator penth...
Lot Coverage Limits
Residential development or redevelopment inside a Duluth shoreland, within 1,000 feet of Lake Superior or 300 feet of a river, creek or stream, cannot cover more than 25 percent of the lot with impervious surface unless the owner submits a water-quality treatment plan and gets an MS4 sign-off from the city engineer.
Duluth Shoreland 25% Impervious Surface Cap
Some RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 50-18.1.E.3(d)(i)
(i) In addition to the requirements in subsection 50-18.1.E.3(b) above, no residential development or redevelopment within a shoreland shall result in impervious surface area exceeding 25 percent of the lot area unless the owner (a) submits a development plan including water quality treatment and (b) obtains an MS4 statement of compliance by the city engineer;
Looking for St. Louis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Duluth city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in St. Louis County →