Accessory Structures in Stearns County, MN (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Stearns County, Minnesota.

Verified from official government sources

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

ADU Rules

Stearns County allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot, attached or detached, under Ordinance 439 Section 6.3. Attached units are capped at 40% of the principal home's finished floor area; detached units must run 150 to 1,000 square feet and sit at least 10 feet from the main house.

Stearns County Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning

Some Restrictions

Stearns County Ordinance 439 (Land Use and Zoning), Sections 6.3.1(F) and 6.3.2(F)

F. The attached Accessory Dwelling Unit can be no larger than 40% of the finished floor area (excluding the attached garage) of the principal single-family dwelling. ... F. The gross floor area of a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit, including attached garage, shall be at least 150 square feet in size and no greater than 1,000 square feet in size.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

ADU Owner Occupancy

Stearns County requires the property owner to live in either the principal dwelling or the accessory dwelling unit itself, for both attached and detached ADUs, under Ordinance 439 Sections 6.3.1(C) and 6.3.2(C).

Stearns County ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule

Some Restrictions

Stearns County Ordinance 439 (Land Use and Zoning), Sections 6.3.1(C) and 6.3.2(C)

C. The owner of the property shall reside in either the principal dwelling unit or the Accessory Dwelling Unit.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Shed & Carport Rules

Stearns County exempts sheds of 150 square feet or less from a construction site permit but still holds them to setbacks, and caps residential accessory buildings on Shoreland riparian lots on a sliding scale, from 900 square feet on parcels under half an acre up to unlimited area past 9.5 acres.

Stearns County Accessory Building & Shed Rules

Some Restrictions

Stearns County Ordinance 439 (Land Use and Zoning), Sections 6.1 and 6.2.2

6.1 Accessory Buildings. Accessory buildings that are equal to or less than one hundred fifty (150) square feet in area are not required to obtain a construction site permit pursuant to Section 4.11.1 of this Ordinance. All applicable setbacks and performance standards shall be met. ... G. No residential accessory building shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to the principal residential ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Stearns County ordinances

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