Moving to Woodbury, MN?
Here are the local rules you need to know before you unpack.
Every city has its own set of local ordinances that go beyond state and federal law. From when you can mow your lawn to whether you can park your RV in the driveway, these rules affect daily life in ways most people do not expect. This guide covers the key ordinances in Woodbury across 18 categories and 100 specific rules we track.
🔊 Noise OrdinancesFull noise ordinances guide →
Noise rules affect everything from weekend parties to lawn care schedules. Quiet hours, construction restrictions, and barking dog limits vary widely between cities.
Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsWoodbury City Code Sec. 13-1 sets a nighttime quiet period from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. During those hours, sound systems plainly audible 50 feet away, noisy gatherings audible at 50 feet, and many noisy activities are presumed violations. The general loud-noise prohibition applies around the clock.
Construction Hours
Some RestrictionsWoodbury City Code Sec. 13-1(c)(5) prohibits noisy construction and exterior maintenance activities between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily. That includes utility/street projects, power tools and equipment with internal combustion engines, vehicle repair audible past property lines, and exterior remodeling, repair, or maintenance of structures.
Barking Dogs
Some RestrictionsWoodbury City Code prohibits owning, keeping, or harboring any animal that by noise unreasonably or excessively disturbs the peace and quiet of nearby people. The animal chapter defines what counts as a violation by time and duration, with a stricter standard at night (10:00 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) than in the daytime.
Leaf Blower Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance, but City Code Sec. 13-1(c)(5) restricts the hours of noisy lawn and yard equipment. Operating combustion-powered domestic maintenance equipment such as lawn mowers, hedge clippers, chain saws, mulchers, garden tillers, and edgers is prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Amplified Music & Events
Some RestrictionsWoodbury City Code Sec. 13-1 presumes a violation when electronic sound or audio equipment is plainly audible 50 feet away between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., or 100 feet away between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Using amplifiers or loudspeakers on streets or public places for commercial advertising is separately prohibited.
Vehicle Noise
Some RestrictionsWoodbury City Code Sec. 13-1 requires that motor vehicles, motorboats, and snowmobiles use a muffler that effectively prevents loud or explosive noise, restricts horn use to warnings of danger, and limits late-night vehicle repair. The city nuisance chapter also bars driving motorized vehicles in a loud, noisy, or unsafe manner.
Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's own noise ordinance (Sec. 13-1) uses plainly-audible distance tests rather than decibel limits. Numeric decibel standards come from Minnesota state rules (Minn. R. ch. 7030), which set L10/L50 limits by area: 65/60 dBA daytime and 55/50 dBA nighttime for residential (NAC-1) areas.
Outdoor Music
Some RestrictionsOutdoor music in Woodbury is governed by City Code Sec. 13-1. Sound equipment plainly audible 50 feet away between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., or 100 feet away during the day, is presumed a violation, and noise from a gathering audible 50 feet away at night is also presumed unlawful.
Industrial Noise
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's noise ordinance (Sec. 13-1) and nuisance chapter (Ch. 15) cover industrial and commercial noise, requiring mufflers on stationary and combustion engines and barring unnecessary noises and annoying vibrations. Numeric property-line limits come from Minnesota state rules (Minn. R. ch. 7030), which cap industrial (NAC-3) noise at 80/75 dBA.
Aircraft Noise
Few RestrictionsWoodbury has no aircraft-noise ordinance and cannot adopt one, because aircraft in flight are regulated by the federal government (FAA). The Metropolitan Airports Commission has no jurisdiction over flight procedures or aircraft noise. Residents direct aircraft-noise concerns to the MAC's noise office or the FAA, not city code enforcement.
🏠 Short-Term RentalsFull short-term rentals guide →
If you plan to rent out your home on Airbnb or VRBO - even occasionally - you need to know the local STR rules before listing.
Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury has no STR-specific noise rule because short-term rentals are not an allowed use. Loud or disturbing noise at any property is governed by the citywide noise and nuisance provisions in Chapter 13 of the City Code, enforced by the Police Department through non-emergency dispatch.
Insurance Requirements
Some RestrictionsWoodbury imposes no short-term-rental liability-insurance requirement, because STRs are not an allowed use and the rental-licensing program for long-term rentals does not publish a minimum-coverage mandate. Operators rely on private policy terms and Minnesota insurance law rather than a city-set coverage floor.
Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury issues no short-term rental permit. The city states that 'short-term rentals do not conform to Woodbury City Code' and that using a property as a rental for a term shorter than 30 days that is not the renter's permanent residence is prohibited. Only longer-term rentals are licensable.
Registration Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury has no short-term rental registry because STRs are not an allowed use. The registration system that exists is the annual rental license for 30-day-plus tenancies. Owners self-certify property-maintenance items on a checklist at application and renewal rather than passing a mandatory city inspection.
Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsWoodbury imposes a 3% local lodging tax on most hotel stays, effective April 2023, on top of Minnesota's 6.875% state sales tax on lodging under 30 days. The single-dwelling rental license costs $80 per unit for 2026. Sub-30-day non-primary STRs remain prohibited regardless of tax status.
Occupancy Limits
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury sets no STR-specific occupancy cap because short-term rentals are not an allowed use. For licensed long-term rentals, occupancy is governed by the property-maintenance code in Chapter 6, Article V and the zoning 'family' definition in Chapter 24, which the city uses to determine rental-license exemptions.
Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury has no STR-specific parking standard because short-term rentals are not allowed. Any property using on-street parking is bound by the citywide winter parking ban: no on-street parking 2–6 a.m. from Nov. 1 to April 1, and none anytime once 2+ inches of snow has fallen until the street is fully plowed.
Primary-Residence-Only Rule
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury's prohibition is framed around primary residence: a rental shorter than 30 days 'that is not the renter's permanent residence is prohibited.' In effect, transient lodging in a home is barred — the only short-stay arrangement that conforms is one where the occupant actually lives there. Licensed rentals contemplate 30-day-plus tenancies.
Host Presence Rule
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury has no host-presence or local-contact requirement for short-term rentals because STRs are not an allowed use. There is no hosted-vs-unhosted distinction to regulate. The closest concept in city policy is the owner-occupancy that exempts a home from rental licensing altogether.
Night Caps
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury sets no annual night cap for short-term rentals because STRs are prohibited rather than rate-limited. The operative threshold is the 30-day floor: a rental shorter than 30 days that is not the renter's permanent residence is not allowed at all, so there is no allotment of permitted nights to count.
🔥 Fire RegulationsFull fire regulations guide →
Fire pit rules, fireworks restrictions, and brush clearance requirements are especially important if you are coming from a state with different fire risk profiles.
Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury allows backyard recreational fires without a permit but sets firm limits under City Code Section 15-1, subd. 1: fires no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in flame height, at least 5 feet from property lines and 25 feet from structures, only clean dry natural wood, and no fires when wind exceeds 10 mph.
Fireworks
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota allows only non-explosive, non-aerial consumer fireworks such as sparklers, cones and fountains (Minn. Stat. 624.20). Aerials, firecrackers and bottle rockets are illegal statewide. In Woodbury, no person may discharge fireworks in any public site or open space except by Public Safety Department permit.
Outdoor Burning
Heavy RestrictionsOpen burning of brush in Woodbury requires a free brush fire permit under City Code Section 8-3, available only to single-family homeowners; commercial burning is prohibited. Permits are issued for up to three days, require an inspection, and limit fires to 6 feet in diameter during daylight hours. Leaves, grass and treated wood may never be burned.
Brush Clearance
Some RestrictionsWoodbury has no wildfire-driven defensible-space mandate, but cleared brush may not simply be burned: a free Section 8-3 brush fire permit (single-family homeowners only) is needed for any open burn, and only clean natural wood under 4 inches may be burned. Leaves and grass are barred from all burning under city and state law.
Backyard Fires
Some RestrictionsBackyard recreational fires are allowed in Woodbury without a permit but must follow City Code Section 15-1: no larger than 3 feet across and 2 feet tall, 25 feet from structures, clean dry wood only, between 8 a.m. and midnight, with constant adult supervision and a hose nearby. Burning during a DNR ban is prohibited.
Smoke Detectors
Some RestrictionsWoodbury follows Minnesota law for smoke alarms. Minn. Stat. 299F.362 requires a working smoke alarm in every dwelling unit, mounted per the State Fire Code. In rentals the owner maintains the alarms and tenants must report a non-functioning alarm within 24 hours. Minnesota also separately requires carbon monoxide alarms near sleeping areas.
Propane Storage
Heavy RestrictionsIn Woodbury buildings of three or more dwelling units, City Code Section 8-4 bans storing or using propane, grills or open flame on any above-ground balcony or on a ground-floor patio within 15 feet of the structure. The Minnesota State Fire Code separately requires propane cylinders to be stored outside at least 10 feet from building openings.
Wildfire Zones
Few RestrictionsWoodbury is a suburban Twin Cities city and has no designated wildfire hazard zones or wildland-urban-interface defensible-space ordinance. The main wildfire-related control is seasonal: when the Minnesota DNR declares a burning ban during high fire danger, all open burning and recreational fires in Woodbury are prohibited.
🚗 Parking RulesFull parking rules guide →
Parking rules catch more new residents off guard than almost any other ordinance. RV storage, overnight parking bans, and driveway regulations vary significantly.
RV & Boat Parking
Some RestrictionsWoodbury allows one piece of recreational equipment up to 24 feet long to be stored outdoors on a single-family lot, on concrete or blacktop, with setbacks from the curb and lot lines. RVs and boats may not be stored on a public street.
Street Parking Limits
Some RestrictionsOn-street parking in Woodbury is allowed on public roadways outside of winter restrictions, but state law bars stopping near hydrants, driveways, crosswalks, and other locations. The city's winter parking ordinance imposes overnight and snow-accumulation bans from November through April.
Overnight Parking
Some RestrictionsWoodbury bans all on-street overnight parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. between November 1 and April 1 under Ordinance No. 14-122, regardless of snowfall. Outside those months there is no blanket overnight ban on public streets, though signed and state-law restrictions still apply.
Commercial Vehicle Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury's zoning code (Sec. 24-245) bars most commercial vehicles from parking or being stored in residential zones unless they are actively loading, unloading, or rendering a service. Prohibited vehicles include large trailers, step and food vans, tall box and flatbed trucks, and CDL-required vehicles.
Oversized Vehicle Parking
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury limits large and heavy vehicles in residential zones through Sec. 24-245, which bars box and flatbed trucks over eight feet tall, vehicles over 26,000 pounds GVWR, CDL-required vehicles, and large trailers unless they are actively in use. Recreational equipment over 24 feet is also restricted.
Abandoned Vehicles
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury prohibits abandoned and junk vehicles and junk vehicle parts in public places under Chapter 15, Article II of the City Code. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 168B defines abandoned and junk vehicles and authorizes their impoundment and disposal.
Driveway Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's zoning code sets driveway dimensions and surfacing standards: driveways must be at least 10 feet wide, no more than 30 feet at the property line, set back at least 5 feet, and surfaced (class 5 gravel for single-family, paved for higher-density zones). Vehicles must not block sidewalks or trails.
EV Charging
Few RestrictionsWoodbury does not appear to have a dedicated ordinance reserving parking spaces for electric vehicles or penalizing non-EVs for blocking charging stations, and Minnesota has no statewide law on EV-space blocking. Public and private chargers are available, and general parking and accessibility rules apply.
Loading Zones
Some RestrictionsWoodbury does not appear to publish a standalone loading-zone ordinance for general traffic; loading and unloading on public roadways is governed by Minnesota Statutes Sec. 169.34 and posted signs. The zoning code permits commercial vehicles in residential zones only while actively loading, unloading, or rendering a service.
Snow Removal Parking Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury bans on-street parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. November 1 to April 1, and any time two or more inches of snow accumulate until plowing is done, under Ordinance No. 14-122. Pushing or blowing snow onto public roadways violates Chapter 15 and Minnesota Statutes Sec. 412.221, Subd. 6.
🧱 Fence RegulationsFull fence regulations guide →
Planning to put up a fence? Height limits, material restrictions, and permit requirements differ by city - and sometimes by which side of the property the fence sits on.
Retaining Walls
Some RestrictionsWoodbury does not publish a separate residential retaining-wall height table in its fence summary. Under the Minnesota State Building Code, retaining walls not over 4 feet high (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) do not require a building permit unless they support a surcharge or impound certain liquids; taller walls do.
Height Limits
Some RestrictionsWoodbury limits fences to 6 feet along rear and side lot lines (returning to the nearest front corner of the house), 4 feet on side lot lines forward of that corner, and 30 inches across front yards in residential platted areas. A chain-link or non-opaque fence up to 10 feet may enclose a recreational facility.
Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsWoodbury regulates fences through its zoning Fence Ordinance, so owners should confirm requirements with the city before building. Under the Minnesota State Building Code, a state building permit is not required for fences not over 7 feet high, but the fence must still meet Woodbury's zoning height, placement and material rules.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury allows fences to be placed up to the property line, and the owner must verify that line's location. The finished (face) side of the fence must face the adjoining property, and every fence must be properly maintained for appearance and safety.
Fence Requirements
Some RestrictionsWoodbury requires fences to keep their finished side toward the neighbor, stay within height limits by yard area, avoid blocking traffic views or snow plowing, and be properly maintained. Swimming pools must be enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet high with a self-closing, self-latching lockable gate.
Material Restrictions
Some RestrictionsWoodbury prohibits barbed wire fences in platted areas. Permitted fencing must present its finished side to the neighbor and be properly maintained. Chain-link and non-opaque fencing up to 10 feet is specifically allowed to enclose recreational facilities such as sport courts.
Approved Materials
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's published fence rules focus on installation and safety rather than a fixed list of approved materials. Barbed wire is prohibited in platted areas; chain-link and non-opaque fences are allowed (up to 10 feet around recreational facilities). Any material must show its finished side to the neighbor and be properly maintained.
🐔 Animal OrdinancesFull animal ordinances guide →
Pet owners and aspiring chicken keepers should check local animal ordinances before signing a lease or closing on a home.
Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's published animal pages do not identify a breed-specific ban (such as a pit bull prohibition). Dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs are regulated under Minnesota Statutes 347.50-347.565, which set registration, secure-enclosure, insurance and identification requirements for dogs declared dangerous regardless of breed.
Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's City Code (Chapter 5) prohibits allowing dogs, cats or other domestic animals to run at large beyond the owner's property. Off your property, a dog must be leashed and under your control, and owners must clean up after their pets.
Chickens & Livestock
Heavy RestrictionsUnder an ordinance adopted in October 2024, Woodbury allows hens only (no roosters) on properties in the R-1 (Urban Reserve) and R-2 (Single-family Estate) zoning districts. Three hens are allowed on lots of 0-3.99 acres, and one chicken per acre on properties of four acres or more. Typical city lots zoned R-4 still cannot keep chickens.
Beekeeping
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury classifies bees as livestock in its City Code. Because livestock is allowed only on agricultural-zoned property of at least five acres, keeping a beehive in a typical residential backyard is not permitted; beekeeping is reserved for the city's more agricultural areas.
Cat Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury treats cats like other domestic animals: they may not run at large beyond the owner's property and must be under the owner's control off the property. Cats count toward the three-pet-per-property limit, and the city regulates animal noise nuisances under Chapter 5.
Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury prohibits owning, caring for, or having custody or control of non-domestic animals such as tigers, lions, bears and primates. The ban covers wild members of the cat family (felidae) and canine family (canidae) but excludes recognized domestic cats and dogs. Limited exceptions exist for traveling circuses, zoos and exhibits.
Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsWashington County, where Woodbury sits, is under a Minnesota DNR deer feeding and attractant ban, so placing food capable of attracting deer is prohibited countywide. Woodbury also runs a Canada Goose Management Plan to address overpopulation, reflecting the city's focus on not concentrating nuisance wildlife.
Livestock
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury allows livestock (except hens, which have separate rules) only on agricultural-zoned property of at least five acres. The city defines livestock broadly to include cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, bees and more, and keeping more than one livestock animal per acre requires a conditional use permit under the zoning chapter.
Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's City Code allows up to three domestic pets per property for personal use, with no limit on the number of aquarium fish. Keeping four or more domesticated pets is treated as a kennel, which is prohibited except under an interim conditional use permit.
Animal Hoarding
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's three-pet-per-property limit and kennel rule cap how many animals a household may keep, while severe overcrowding and neglect are addressed under Minnesota's animal-cruelty law, Statute 343.21, which bars depriving animals of food, water or shelter and keeping animals in conditions that cause unnecessary suffering.
🌿 Landscaping RulesFull landscaping rules guide →
From grass height limits to tree removal permits, landscaping rules can surprise new homeowners, especially in drought-prone areas with water restrictions.
Grass Height Limits
Some RestrictionsWoodbury city code requires that all grass and lawn vegetation be kept under eight inches in height, measured from the ground to the tallest point of any stalk, stem, blade or leaf. Tall grass over eight inches is one of the city's most common code-enforcement violations.
Tree Trimming
Few RestrictionsWoodbury does not require homeowners to obtain a permit to prune trees on their own private property. The city's Forestry Division maintains boulevard trees in certain older subdivisions; residents are responsible for trimming trees in other boulevards and on private land, and the city offers pruning guidance.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Few RestrictionsWoodbury does not publish a permit requirement for removing healthy trees on private residential property. Boulevard (right-of-way) trees are different and may be city-managed in some subdivisions. The city runs a Private Ash Tree Removal Assessment Program to help homeowners finance ash removal driven by emerald ash borer.
Weed Ordinances
Some RestrictionsWoodbury enforces an eight-inch height limit on weeds and grass as a nuisance, and requires property owners to control or eradicate noxious weeds. Noxious weeds are defined by Minnesota state statute, with Canada thistle a commonly cited example. Managed native plantings are exempt from the height rule but never from the noxious-weed prohibition.
Water Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury enforces a year-round Lawn & Landscape Watering Policy. Residential properties may irrigate only two days per week based on an assigned irrigation zone, and never between noon and 5 p.m. Violations bring a $50 administrative citation that doubles with each repeat offense in the same calendar year.
Composting
Few RestrictionsBackyard composting is allowed in Woodbury and is one of the city's recommended ways to comply with Minnesota's landfill ban on yard waste. Residents may compost on their own property, drop yard waste and food scraps at Washington County sites, or have a hauler take it to a compost facility. Discounted compost bins are sold through Washington County.
Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsWoodbury allows and encourages rainwater harvesting. Rain barrels and rain gardens are promoted as ways to cut summer water use under the city's strict watering policy. Discounted rain barrels are sold through Washington County, and rain gardens may qualify for cost-share grants from the South Washington Watershed District.
Native Plants
Few RestrictionsWoodbury allows native and pollinator-friendly landscaping. Native plantings, bee lawns and water-saving gardens are exempt from the eight-inch grass-height limit as long as weeds stay a minor portion. This follows Minnesota Statute 412.925, which bars cities from prohibiting managed natural landscapes on private land.
Artificial Turf
Some RestrictionsWoodbury does not publish a specific ordinance authorizing or banning residential artificial turf. There is no dedicated synthetic-turf code section, so installations are governed by general zoning, landscaping, drainage and property-maintenance standards. Confirm requirements with the Planning Department before installing artificial turf, especially in front yards.
💼 Home BusinessFull home business guide →
Working from home is common, but running a business from home often requires permits and must comply with zoning restrictions on customer traffic and signage.
Home Occupation Permits
Some RestrictionsMany home businesses in Woodbury can operate as a permitted accessory use without a standalone permit, as long as they meet all the Chapter 24 standards. More intensive uses, such as occasional craft sales, can require specific permits, and any related building work (like a larger accessory building) needs its own building permit.
Zoning Restrictions
Some RestrictionsWoodbury allows home businesses in residential zones under Chapter 24 zoning rules, but limits them to one room or no more than 25 percent of the principal structure. Outside employees are prohibited, customer and delivery trips are capped, hours are limited, and there must be no exterior indication of the business.
Signage Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury essentially bans signs and visible advertising for home businesses. Exterior signs identifying or advertising a home business are prohibited, and there must be no exterior indication that a business operates from the home, keeping the residential character of the neighborhood intact.
Cottage Food Operations
Some RestrictionsCottage food in Woodbury is governed by Minnesota's state Cottage Food Law (Minn. Stat. 28A.152), not a city ordinance. You must register annually with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, may sell up to $78,000 in food per year, and can sell only non-potentially-hazardous foods directly to consumers with proper labeling.
Home Daycare
Some RestrictionsHome daycare in Woodbury is shaped by Minnesota state law. Under Minn. Stat. 245A.14, a licensed family or group family child care for 14 or fewer children is a permitted single-family residential use, so the city cannot ban it, though it may require a conditional or special use permit. Licensing is handled by the state, formerly DHS, now DCYF.
🏊 Swimming Pools & SpasFull swimming pools & spas guide →
Pool ownership comes with safety fencing requirements, permit obligations, and drainage rules that vary by jurisdiction.
Pool Permits
Some RestrictionsWoodbury requires a permit from the building official before you construct, alter, or repair any private swimming pool. Applications need complete plans showing the pool type and location relative to lot lines, plus a fee set by city resolution. Permits can be revoked for code non-compliance after written notice.
Fencing Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsEvery private pool in Woodbury must be completely surrounded by a fence or wall at least 4 feet high, with no openings, holes, or gaps larger than 4 inches, and built so it can't be readily climbed by children. Gates must be self-closing, self-latching, lockable, and kept locked when the pool is not in use.
Safety Rules
Heavy RestrictionsBeyond fencing, Woodbury requires every private pool to keep life-saving equipment on hand: a ring buoy with rope and a 10-foot shepherd's-crook pole, plus emergency flood lighting on a separate circuit. Pools must also meet setbacks, drainage, filtration, water-quality, and electrical standards under Chapter 22.
Above-Ground Pools
Some RestrictionsAbove-ground pools in Woodbury are treated as private swimming pools and need a permit. They must be protected so access points are equipped with self-closing, self-latching gates or doors. An above-ground pool whose wall is taller than 4 feet does not need a separate fence if that wall cannot be readily climbed by children.
Hot Tub Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's pool ordinance applies to any structure retaining water deeper than 18 inches, so most hot tubs and spas count as private swimming pools. That means a permit and the same fencing, gate, and safety standards generally apply, unless the city council grants a modification. Installation must also meet the Minnesota State Building Code.
🏗️ Accessory StructuresFull accessory structures guide →
Thinking about an ADU, shed, or garage conversion? Local rules on accessory structures have changed rapidly in recent years, especially in California.
Carport Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury does not publish a separate carport category; a carport is treated as an accessory structure under Chapter 24 zoning. That means setback, height, placement and matching-material standards apply, and notably the code prohibits tarp, canvas and similar materials for exterior use in platted residential areas.
Shed Rules
Some RestrictionsIn Woodbury, a building permit is required for accessory buildings larger than 200 square feet. Sheds must sit at least five feet from side and rear property lines, may not exceed a 12-foot wall height, and tarps, canvas and similar materials are prohibited for exterior use.
ADU Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury's zoning code does not establish a dedicated accessory dwelling unit (ADU) permitting category for detached second living units. Single-family residential districts are built around one principal dwelling per lot, so anyone considering an ADU should confirm current options directly with the Planning Division before designing one.
Garage Conversions
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's zoning code limits both attached and detached garages to no more than 1,000 square feet (or a percentage of the main floor area), requires a five-foot side/rear setback for detached garages, and requires exterior materials to match the principal building. Converting garage space involves building permits and zoning review.
Tiny Homes
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury's published code has no dedicated tiny-home or movable-tiny-house category. A tiny home on a foundation would be reviewed as a dwelling subject to the Minnesota Residential Code and local zoning, while a tiny house on wheels would likely be treated like a recreational vehicle and not as a permanent residence. Confirm with Planning before pursuing one.
🍖 Outdoor CookingFull outdoor cooking guide →
BBQ & Propane Rules
Heavy RestrictionsSingle-family homeowners in Woodbury may use BBQ and propane grills with normal fire-code care. But in buildings of three or more dwelling units, City Code Section 8-4 prohibits any grill (electric, gas, charcoal or open flame) and open flame on above-ground balconies and on ground-floor patios within 15 feet of the structure, except for non-combustible, sprinkler-protected buildings.
Smoker Rules
Some RestrictionsCharcoal and solid-fuel smokers fall under Woodbury's grill ordinance. At single-family homes residents may smoke and grill on their property. In buildings of three or more dwelling units, City Code Section 8-4 bans all grills - including charcoal and open-flame smokers - on above-ground balconies and on patios within 15 feet of the structure.
🪧 Sign RegulationsFull sign regulations guide →
Political Signs
Some RestrictionsWoodbury regulates where campaign signs may be placed; state law controls how long they may be displayed. Signs are prohibited on city, county, and school property and in roadway rights-of-way, require the owner's permission on private property, must sit at least five feet back from the curb, and must come down within 10 days after the election.
Garage Sale Signs
Some RestrictionsWoodbury allows three off-site signs and one on-site sign during a garage sale. Signs may be up to six square feet and four feet high, must be at least five feet from the curb or shoulder, may not be placed on utility poles or street signs, and must be removed when the sale ends.
🏚️ Property MaintenanceFull property maintenance guide →
Vacant Lot Maintenance
Some RestrictionsWoodbury applies the same nuisance and grounds-maintenance standards to vacant and undeveloped lots as to occupied properties. Lawn growth may not exceed eight inches, noxious weeds must be controlled, and the land must be kept free of refuse and debris. Native or restored areas may qualify for an exemption from the height rule.
Property Blight
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's Code Enforcement Division enforces the adopted International Property Maintenance Code along with the City Code (Chapter 15, Nuisances) to keep structures and grounds in good repair. Common blight violations include peeling paint, damaged siding, roofing, decks, fences, and windows. Enforcement is complaint-driven and escalates from a correction notice to citation.
Trash Bin Storage
Some RestrictionsExcept on collection day, Woodbury requires refuse, recycling, and yard waste containers to be stored indoors or fully hidden behind a solid fence or wall at least five feet high, so they are not visible from neighboring properties or any right-of-way. Containers may go to the curb after 6 p.m. the day before pickup.
Weeds & Overgrown Grass
Some RestrictionsWoodbury City code limits all grass, including bee lawns, to a maximum of eight inches in height, measured to the tallest point of any stalk, stem, blade, or leaf. Noxious weeds defined by Minnesota statute must be controlled or eradicated. Native plantings and water-saving gardens are exempt if weeds stay minor.
Garage Sale Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury allows residents two garage sales per year, each over any consecutive three-day period. No permit is required, but signs are regulated: three off-site signs and one on-site sign, up to six square feet and four feet high, kept at least five feet from the curb and off utility poles and street signs. Resale items are prohibited.
💡 Outdoor LightingFull outdoor lighting guide →
Dark Sky Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury does not have a formal dark-sky ordinance, but its Chapter 24 zoning standards require building and site lighting to minimize light and glare. Canopy lighting must be recessed with flush lenses and aimed downward, and photometric plans must limit light spilling beyond a structure to 0.4 foot-candles at the property line.
Light Trespass
Some RestrictionsWoodbury's zoning code addresses light trespass by requiring that light and glare impacts be minimized and that exterior lighting be contained on the property. For parking ramps and decks, photometric plans must keep light extending outside the structure to no more than 0.4 foot-candles at the property line.
🗑️ Trash & RecyclingFull trash & recycling guide →
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury uses an open hauling system: residents choose their own licensed hauler. The city is divided into four hauling districts with assigned collection days, and garbage and recyclables are collected on the same designated day between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Licensed haulers must offer weekly trash service in 30-, 60-, and 90-gallon volumes.
Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury lets residents set trash, recycling, and yard waste containers at the curb after 6 p.m. the day before pickup. On all other days, containers must be stored indoors or fully hidden behind a solid fence or wall at least five feet high so they are not visible from neighboring properties or any right-of-way.
Bulk Item Disposal
Few RestrictionsBecause Woodbury uses an open hauling system, bulk and large-item pickup is arranged directly with your licensed hauler rather than through a city program. Residents can also drop off many bulky and hard-to-recycle items at the Washington County Environmental Center. Construction and demolition debris must go to a licensed C&D hauler.
Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsEvery licensed Woodbury hauler must provide curbside recycling, and the city issues blue recycling bins to residences as single-sort (mixed) recycling. Businesses contracting for four or more cubic yards per week of solid waste must recycle at least three material types, such as paper, glass, plastic, metal, and organics.
Illegal Dumping
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury requires all waste, debris, refuse, recycling, and yard waste to be properly contained, and prohibits accumulations of refuse on private property under its nuisance code. Dumping garbage or litter on public or private land without consent is also a crime under Minnesota Statute 609.68, which makes unlawful deposit of garbage or litter a petty misdemeanor.
🌙 Curfew LawsFull curfew laws guide →
📐 Building Setbacks & ZoningFull building setbacks & zoning guide →
Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsWoodbury sets minimum front, side and rear yard setbacks by zoning district in Chapter 24, Article III of the City Code, so required distances vary by district. Accessory buildings and detached garages must be set back at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines, and a detached garage placed in front (R-1/R-2) requires a 50-foot front setback.
Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsWoodbury sets maximum building heights by zoning district in Chapter 24, Article III of the City Code. For accessory structures, City Code Sec. 24-281 limits detached garages and accessory buildings to one story with a wall height not exceeding 12 feet, and doors not exceeding 10 feet in height.
Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsWoodbury sets maximum lot coverage and impervious-surface limits by zoning district and overlay in Chapter 24 of the City Code, so the allowable coverage varies by district. Lots within shoreland areas are also subject to Minnesota's shoreland standards, where the statewide baseline limits impervious surface to about 25 percent of the lot.
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Overall: What to Expect in Woodbury
Woodbury has 100 ordinances on file across 18 categories. Of these, 10 are rated permissive, 65 moderate, and 25 strict. This gives you a general sense of how tightly regulated daily life is in Woodbury compared to other cities.
Rules can change, and enforcement varies. Always verify specific requirements with the city directly before making major decisions like building a fence, listing on Airbnb, or starting a home business.