Building Setbacks & Zoning in Olmsted County, MN (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Olmsted County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In Olmsted County's R-2 Mixed Low Density Residential District, front and side yards must be 45 feet from federal, state or county roads (25 feet from local roads), interior side yards need 10 feet, and every rear yard needs 25 feet, all set by Section 6.04 of the zoning ordinance.
Yard Setback Rules in Olmsted County
Some RestrictionsOlmsted County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 1400 § 6.04(C)(5)-(7)
5. Front Yard Regulations: a) A minimum front yard depth of not less than forty-five (45) feet shall be provided on all lots adjoining federal, state, and county roads. b) A minimum front yard depth of not less than twenty-five (25) feet shall be provided on all lots adjoining local roads and streets. 6. Side Yard Regulations: a) A minimum side street yard width of not less than forty-five (45)...
Structure Height Limits
In Olmsted County's R-1 Low Density Residential District, the zone covering most unincorporated house lots, dwellings can't exceed 35 feet, while churches, schools and other public or semi-public buildings may reach 55 feet if their setbacks grow by one extra foot for every foot of height over 35.
Residential Height Limits in Olmsted County
Some RestrictionsOlmsted County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 1400 § 6.02(C)(1)
1. Height Regulations: a) No residential buildings used for dwellings shall hereafter be erected or structurally altered to exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height. b) Public or semi-public buildings, churches, cathedrals, temples or schools may be erected to a maximum height of fifty-five (55) feet. When such buildings exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height, the setback requirements shall incre...
Lot Coverage Limits
Structures on an R-2 Mixed Low Density Residential lot in unincorporated Olmsted County can't cover more than 40 percent of the lot, the only numeric lot-coverage cap the base zoning ordinance sets, under Section 6.04(C)(9); the county's other general residential district, R-1, has no equivalent percentage cap.
Lot Coverage Limits in Olmsted County
Some RestrictionsOlmsted County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 1400 § 6.04(C)(9)
9. Lot Coverage Regulations: a) The maximum lot coverage of all structures does not exceed forty (40%) percent of the lot.
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