Before You Build in Bloomington, MN: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Bloomington City Code §21.301.08 limits fences to 4 ft in front setbacks, 6 ft on side/rear lots, and up to 8 ft where residential abuts nonresidential use. No building permit required for fences 7 ft or under. Height measured including fence body plus max 6 inches above natural grade. Posts may extend 12 inches above fence body.

Minnesota has no shared fence cost statute. Each property owner responsible for their own fence. MN Stat. §561.02 prohibits spite fences.

Bloomington regulates swimming pool enclosures under City Code Sec. 14.443 (public/licensed pools, Chapter 14 Article V) and Sec. 15.108 (private residential pools), in addition to MN Rules Chapter 4717 (State Pool Code) and Minn. Stat. 144.1222 (Abigail Taylor Pool Safety Act). Private residential in-ground pools must be enclosed by a fence 4 to 6 feet high with no opening greater than 4 inches and self-closing, self-latching gates with the latch at minimum 4 feet high. Public pools require a 4-foot fence (existing) or 5-foot fence (new construction). The city also enforces the State Building Code's pool barrier provisions adopted under Minn. Stat. 326B.106 (which adopts IRC Appendix G/AG105).

Bloomington allows attached and internal ADUs in single-family zones under City Code §21.302.03. ADUs must have independent cooking, sanitary, and sleeping facilities. The city is currently developing amendments that may expand detached ADU options. Owner-occupancy and rental licensing requirements apply.

Garage conversions to ADUs may be possible under Bloomington's evolving ADU ordinance (§21.302.03). Currently, attached/internal ADUs are allowed. All garages must accommodate a code-complying driveway even if one is not proposed at time of permit. Garage-related regulations are in §21.301.19.

Sheds and accessory buildings regulated under City Code §21.301.19. Buildings under 200 sq ft are exempt from building permits. Max height 12 ft for non-garage accessory buildings. Minimum 5-ft side yard setback. Total accessory building area limited to the ground floor living area of the house plus 120 sq ft.

Portable fire pits and recreational fires allowed in Bloomington under strict conditions: contained in pit no larger than 3 ft diameter x 2 ft height, 25 ft from combustibles, constantly attended, dry clean firewood only, extinguishing equipment required, and no use when winds exceed 10 mph.

Recreational fires and portable fire pits are permitted in Bloomington with conditions: fire pit max 3 ft diameter by 2 ft height, 25 ft setback from combustible structures, must be constantly attended, and prohibited when winds exceed 10 mph. Open burning otherwise prohibited except by permit.

Boulevard trees are managed jointly by the city and property owners. Diseased trees (EAB, Dutch Elm, Oak Wilt) are removed under the city's Tree Disease Management program at no charge. City Code §18.04 authorizes orders to treat or remove diseased trees. §18.06 regulates tree planting. MN §561.04 imposes treble damages for unauthorized removal of others' trees.