Building Setbacks & Zoning in Saint Paul, MN (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Saint Paul, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Saint Paul's Zoning Code sets minimum front, side and rear yard setbacks by residential district, 30 feet front in RL down to 10 feet front in the RM multi-family districts, with special averaging rules where neighboring homes already sit closer to the street.
Saint Paul Yard Setback Minimums By Zone
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code Sec. 66.231, Table 66.231 (Residential District Dimensional Standards)
Zoning District ... Yard Setbacks Minimum (feet) Front Side Rear RL large lot (l) ... 30 (d) 10 (e) 10 H1 residential (l) ... 10 (d) 5 (e) 10 H2 residential (l) ... 10 (d) 5 (e) 10 RM1 multiple-family (l) ... 10 (d) 9 (e), (k) 9 RM2 multiple-family ... 10 (d) 9 (e), (j) 9 (j) RM3 multiple-family ... 10 (d) 9 (e), (j) 9 (j)
Structure Height Limits
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.
Saint Paul Residential Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code Sec. 66.231, Table 66.231
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 ...
Lot Coverage Limits
Saint Paul caps how much of a residential lot buildings can cover: 40% in the RL large-lot district, 45% in H1, and 50% in H2, per the Zoning Code's dimensional standards table. A density bonus can add 5% more coverage if affordable units are included.
Saint Paul Max Lot Coverage By District
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code Sec. 66.231, Table 66.231 (Residential District Dimensional Standards)
Zoning District ... Maximum lot coverage for all buildings (sq. feet) (f) ... (percent of the lot) (f) 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%
Looking for Ramsey County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Saint Paul city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Ramsey County →