5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Ramsey County sets no ADU rule. Accessory dwelling units are municipal zoning under Minn. Stat. 462.357. St. Paul (county seat) allows ADUs citywide and permits up to two ADUs per one-family lot with no owner-occupancy requirement. Check your city's zoning office.
Minn. Stat. 462.357, subd. 1
For the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare, a municipality may by ordinance regulate ... the location, height, width, bulk, type of foundation, number of stories, size of buildings and other structures ... and the uses of land for ... residence, recreation ... and may establish standards and procedures regulating such uses.
Ramsey County has no shed ordinance. Detached accessory buildings are municipal zoning under Minn. Stat. 462.357. In St. Paul, detached sheds max at 15 ft (flat/shed roof) or 18 ft, must sit in the rear yard 3 ft from lot lines, capped at 1,200 sq ft total.
St. Paul Legislative Code Sec. 63.501
Detached accessory building maximum height: 15' for a flat or shed roof style or 18' for all other roof styles; maximum 1,200 square feet total across up to 3 structures on lots with 1-4 principal units; minimum 3-foot setback from interior lot lines.
Ramsey County sets no rule on converting a garage to living space. This is municipal zoning and building permitting under Minn. Stat. 462.357. In St. Paul, a garage converted to a dwelling is treated as an ADU (Sec. 65.913). Get a city building permit before converting.
Minn. Stat. 462.357, subd. 1
For the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare, a municipality may by ordinance regulate ... the uses of buildings and structures for trade, industry, residence, recreation, public activities, or other purposes ... and may establish standards and procedures regulating such uses.
Ramsey County has no carport ordinance. A carport is a detached/attached accessory structure regulated by city zoning under Minn. Stat. 462.357. In St. Paul it falls under the accessory-building rules (Sec. 63.501): rear-yard placement, 3-ft setbacks and height caps. Check your city.
St. Paul Legislative Code Sec. 63.501
Detached accessory building maximum height: 15' for a flat or shed roof style or 18' for all other roof styles; rear yard placement required (cannot be in required front/side yards); minimum 3-foot setback from interior lot lines.
Ramsey County sets no tiny-home rule. Whether a tiny home is allowed — and as a primary dwelling or an ADU — is decided by city zoning under Minn. Stat. 462.357. In St. Paul a tiny home on a foundation can qualify as an ADU (Sec. 65.913). Movable tiny homes
Minn. Stat. 462.357, subd. 1
For the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare, a municipality may by ordinance regulate ... the size of buildings and other structures ... the density and distribution of population ... and the uses of land for ... residence, recreation ... and may establish standards and procedures regulating such uses.
1 cities in Ramsey County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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