Building Setbacks & Zoning in St. Louis County, MN (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated St. Louis County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Away from the shoreline, St. Louis County's baseline zoning setback is 10 feet from the property line for principal structures and 5 feet for accessory structures, plus a road centerline setback that jumps to 110 feet on arterials, 85 feet on collectors and 48 feet on local roads.
St. Louis County Yard Setback Standards
Some RestrictionsSt. Louis County Zoning Ordinance 62, Art. III § 3.2
Structural Setback Standards Property Line Shoreline Shore Impact Zone Principal Accessory Principal Accessory Principal Accessory 37.5 feet 37.5 feet 10 feet 5 feet 75 feet 75 feet Road Centerline Setback Standards Arterial Collector Local Right-of-Way 110 feet 85 feet 48 feet N/A
Structure Height Limits
In unincorporated St. Louis County, structures in Residential and Shoreland areas cannot rise above 35 feet, measured from the lower of the highest adjoining grade or 10 feet above the lowest adjoining grade, up to the roof's highest point, under Zoning Ordinance 62.
St. Louis County Building Height Limit: 35 Ft
Some RestrictionsSt. Louis County Zoning Ordinance 62, Art. II §§ 2.4(F)(3), 2.7
F. Dimensional Standards 3. ... In Residential and Shoreland areas, the maximum height allowed for structures shall be 35 feet, or as allowed in Article IV, Section 4.3, whichever is more restrictive. ... Height of Building - The vertical distance between the highest adjoining ground level abutting the building or ten feet above the lowest ground level abutting the building, whichever is lower,...
Lot Coverage Limits
St. Louis County's zoning districts cap total lot coverage, meaning every structure plus every constructed impervious surface, at 10 to 35 percent of lot area depending on the district, with the smallest-lot Plat of Soudan parcels fixed at 35 percent regardless of sewer service.
St. Louis County Max Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsSt. Louis County Zoning Ordinance 62, Art. II § 2.7; Art. III § 3.2
Lot Coverage - Lot coverage shall include all structures and constructed impervious surfaces. ... SPECIAL STANDARDS FOR THE PLAT OF SOUDAN, TOWN OF BREITUNG Dimensional Standards Sewer Only Sewer and Water 0.33 acre 0.16 acre Minimum lot area 100 feet 60 feet Minimum lot width 35% 35% Maximum lot coverage
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