Building Setbacks & Zoning in Washington County, MN (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Washington County's Development Code sets structure setbacks from arterial roads, underground pipelines and street corners across the unincorporated county and its townships. The minimum setback along any road the Comprehensive Plan designates an Arterial is 150 feet from the centerline or 75 feet from the right-of-way, whichever is greater. Structures must also clear buried pipeline easements by 50 feet.
Washington County Structure Setback Standards
Some RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Chapter Two §§ 1.1(5), 1.1(6), 1.1(18)
(5) Corner Lots – Sight Corners. In order to maintain a clear line of vision through sight corners, nothing other than seasonal crops shall be placed or allowed to grow, which impedes vision between a height of two and one-half (2 1/2) and ten (10) feet above the intersecting street centerline grades, within the triangular sight corner which is encompassed within the area between the right of w...
Structure Height Limits
Washington County limits structures in its Shoreland Management Overlay District, the land bordering the county's public lakes, rivers and streams, to 35 feet under Development Code Chapter Six, Section 8.3. The Zoning Administrator checks every building or grading permit against the cap and issues a Certificate of Compliance only when the finished structure conforms.
Washington County Shoreland Structure Height Cap
Some RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Chapter Six, § 8.4 (Shoreland Management Regulations)
Height. Structures shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height.
Lot Coverage Limits
In Washington County's Shoreland Management Overlay District, no more than 25 percent of a lot can be covered by impervious surface under Development Code Chapter Six, Section 8.4. The cap folds in every building, deck, patio, walk and driveway, whether paved or not, and the Zoning Administrator checks it before signing off on a building or grading permit.
Washington County Shoreland 25% Lot Coverage Cap
Some RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Chapter Six, § 8.5 (Shoreland Management Regulations)
Lot Coverage. A maximum of twenty-five (25) percent of the lot may be covered with impervious surface. This includes all structures, decks, patios, walks, and surfaced or unsurfaced driveways.
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