Building Setbacks & Zoning 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.

Setback Rules

In the A-160 Agricultural District, Stearns County sets a flat 50-foot side and 50-foot rear building setback, plus a road-classification table controlling front setbacks that runs from 30 feet off a private road easement up to 150 feet off a principal arterial's centerline.

Stearns County A-160 District Yard Setbacks

Some Restrictions

Stearns County Ordinance 439 (Land Use and Zoning), Section 9.1.11(A) (A-160 Agricultural District)

9.1.11 Setback Requirements. The following setback requirements shall apply: A. Minimum building setbacks: (1) Side 50 feet (2) Rear 50 feet (3) Front [Road Classification table: Principal Arterial 150/75; Minor Arterial 120/60; Major Collector 100/50; Minor Collector 100/50; County Road 100/50; Township Road 63/30; Private Road Esmt. 63/30. THE MORE RESTRICTIVE SETBACK SHALL APPLY.] (4) Detach...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

In Stearns County's residential zoning districts, homes and other buildings cannot exceed 35 feet in height. The limit applies uniformly across the R-20, R-10, R-5 and R-1 districts, with agricultural buildings exempted and a short list of narrow height exemptions carved out separately.

Stearns County 35-Foot Residential Height Cap

Some Restrictions

Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance No. 439, Section 9.5.12

9.5.12 Height Requirements A. Buildings, other than agricultural buildings, shall not exceed thirty five (35) feet in height, except as provided in Section 7.14 of this Ordinance. B. Agricultural buildings shall be exempt from the height requirements.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

In Stearns County's Agricultural District A-160, the county's baseline primary zoning district covering most unincorporated farmland, Ordinance 439 caps total lot coverage at 25 percent of the parcel. The limit applies to the principal dwelling, garages, barns and other structures combined.

Stearns County A-160 Lot Coverage Cap

Some Restrictions

Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance 439, Section 9.1.13

9.1.13 Lot Coverage The maximum lot coverage shall be twenty-five (25) percent.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Stearns County ordinances

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