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

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Ramsey County, Minnesota.

Verified from official government sources

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

Setback Rules

Ramsey County sets no building setbacks for city land; each city does under Minn. Stat. §462.357. St. Paul sets front, side, and rear yard minimums in its residential dimensional table (§66.231).

Building Setback Rules in Ramsey County MN

Some Restrictions

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 ... size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot which may be occupied, the size of yards and other open spaces.

Structure Height Limits

Ramsey County sets no building-height limit for city land; your city does under Minn. Stat. §462.357. St. Paul limits R1 homes to 28 feet at the side setback, up to 35 feet.

Structure Height Limits in Ramsey County MN

Some Restrictions

St. Paul Legislative Code §66.231

The following maximum building heights shall apply at side setback lines: 28 feet in R1 ... one foot shall be added to the maximum building height per each one foot the portion of the building is set back from the nearest side setback line, to a maximum height of thirty-five feet.

Lot Coverage Limits

Ramsey County sets no lot-coverage limit for city land; your city does under Minn. Stat. §462.357. In St. Paul's R1–R4 districts, principal buildings may cover no more than 35% of the lot.

Lot Coverage Limits in Ramsey County MN

Some Restrictions

St. Paul Legislative Code §66.231

In R1–R4 residential districts, principal buildings shall not cover more than thirty-five (35) percent of any zoning lot.

Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Ramsey County

1 cities in Ramsey County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

All Ramsey County ordinances

See every category we cover for Ramsey County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

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