Accessory Structures in Plymouth, MN (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Plymouth, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
The City of Plymouth allows one accessory dwelling unit per single-family detached lot in the FRD, RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, and single-family PUD districts, but not on any lot with an apartment, townhome, duplex, or other multi-unit building. An attached or incorporated ADU tops out at 30 percent of the home's gross floor area or 1,000 square feet, a detached ADU at 30 percent of the rear yard or 700 square feet, and every ADU must be at least 200 square feet under City Code Section 21190.04.
Plymouth ADU Zoning: Size, District, Height Rules
Some RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 21190.04 Subd. 1-2
Subd. 1.Accessory dwelling units (hereinafter referred to as "ADUs", or as an "ADU" in the singular) may be allowed on residential lots that contain a single-family detached home within the FRD, RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, or single-family residential PUD district. ... (c)Not more than one ADU shall be allowed per single-family detached lot. ... (g)The maximum allowable size of an ADU that is attached...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Plymouth will not permit an accessory dwelling unit unless the property owner actually lives on site, in either the main house or the ADU itself. City Code Section 21190.04, Subd. 2(j) makes owner-occupancy a standing condition of every ADU, not just a one-time approval requirement, so an owner who moves out of both units loses the right to keep renting the second unit under the ADU program.
Plymouth ADU Owner Must Live On the Property
Some RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 21190.04 Subd. 2(j)
(j)The owner of the property shall reside on the site, in either the principal dwelling unit or the ADU.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Renting out an accessory dwelling unit in Plymouth, or renting the main house while the owner lives in the ADU, requires a City rental license under Section 410 of the City Code. City Code Section 21190.04, Subd. 2(k) makes that licensing requirement an explicit condition of every ADU, tying the zoning approval directly to the rental licensing program.
Plymouth ADU Rentals Need a Rental License
Some RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 21190.04 Subd. 2(k)
(k)Rental of an ADU, or rental of the principal dwelling unit if the property owner resides in the ADU, shall require a City license pursuant to Section 410 (Rental Licensing) of the City Code.
Shed & Carport Rules
Sheds and other detached accessory buildings in the City of Plymouth need no building permit under 200 square feet, but every size must follow Section 21120.02's rules: no placement before the house is built, no front yard, a 20-foot setback from an alley, and a height that never exceeds the principal building.
Plymouth Shed Size, Setback and Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPlymouth City Code § 21120.02
Subd. 1.No detached accessory building, structure, or use shall be allowed on any lot prior to the time of construction of the principal building to which it is accessory.Subd. 2.Unless otherwise allowed by this Chapter, no detached accessory building, structure, or use shall be allowed within a front yard, except that a detached accessory building, structure, or use may be allowed within a fro...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Plymouth city rules.
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