Building Setbacks & Zoning in Dakota County, MN (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Dakota County, Minnesota.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Dakota County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

Dakota County does not set building setbacks for incorporated cities. Setbacks (front, side, and rear yard distances) are established by each city's zoning district under Minn. Stat. 462.357. Only unincorporated shoreland/floodplain areas fall under county rules.

Building Setbacks Are Set by Your City

Some Restrictions

Minn. Stat. 462.357, subd. 1

A municipality may by ordinance regulate on the earth's surface, in the air space above the surface, and in subsurface areas, the location, height, width, bulk, type of foundation, number of stories, size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot which may be occupied, the size of yards and other open spaces.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

Dakota County sets no building-height limit for cities. Maximum building height is set by each city's zoning district under Minn. Stat. 462.357, which grants municipalities power over the height and number of stories of buildings.

Building Height Limits Come From City Zoning

Some Restrictions

Minn. Stat. 462.357, subd. 1

A municipality may by ordinance regulate on the earth's surface, in the air space above the surface, and in subsurface areas, the location, height, width, bulk, type of foundation, number of stories, size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot which may be occupied, the size of yards and other open spaces.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

Dakota County has no countywide lot-coverage limit. The maximum percentage of a lot that buildings and impervious surface may cover is set by each city's zoning district under Minn. Stat. 462.357.

Lot Coverage Limits Are Set by Your City

Some Restrictions

Minn. Stat. 462.357, subd. 1

A municipality may by ordinance regulate on the earth's surface, in the air space above the surface, and in subsurface areas, the location, height, width, bulk, type of foundation, number of stories, size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot which may be occupied, the size of yards and other open spaces.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Dakota County ordinances

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