Before You Build in St. Michael, MN: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Under Sec. 155.030, no building permit is required for residential fences 6 feet or shorter. Fences over 6 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet, and any fence in a designated sight triangle on a corner lot require a building permit.

St. Michael Code Sec. 155.030 does not require a building permit for residential fences six feet or less in height. Fences must be located entirely upon the private property of the owner and constructed in a workmanlike manner from approved materials.

St. Michael Code Sec. 155.054 requires a 6-foot non-climbing safety fence around any in-ground pool. Above-ground pools must be surrounded by a 4-foot non-climbing fence or have a latchable cover. A 6-foot construction fence is required from the moment the pool contains water during build.

St. Michael Code Sec. 155.030 requires any retaining wall over 4 feet in height (or a series of retaining walls with a greater vertical drop than horizontal distance) to be protected at the top by a minimum 3-foot-high fence.

Above-ground pools in Saint Michael are regulated by Sec. 155.054 with the same setbacks as in-ground pools (10 ft side, 15 ft rear, 10 ft from principal structure) but may use a shorter 4-foot non-climbing fence or a latchable rigid cover for safety.

Sec. 155.054 requires a 6-foot non-climbing safety fence around any in-ground pool. Above-ground pools require a 4-foot non-climbing fence OR a latchable rigid cover. A 6-foot construction fence is required from the moment the pool contains water during build-out.

St. Michael Code Sec. 155.054 requires a building permit for any swimming pool construction, alteration, or renovation. Pools must be set back 10 feet from side property lines, 15 feet from the rear, and 10 feet from any principal structure (excluding uncovered decks).

St. Michael's zoning code does not expressly permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in standard residential districts. Second residences require a conditional use permit and review against Chapter 155 zoning standards.

St. Michael accessory structures must be constructed of durable, finished materials compatible in color to the principal structure. Structures over 120 sq ft must also be compatible in design, roof style, roof pitch, and exterior finish. Structures over 1,200 sq ft require additional setbacks (1 ft per 100 sq ft over 1,200).

St. Michael allows recreational fires (campfires) without a DNR burning permit only when the fire is no more than 3 feet in diameter by 3 feet high, set at least 25 feet from any structure and 5 feet inside the applicant's property line, and used for cooking, warming, or ceremonial purposes.

Open burning beyond a small recreational campfire requires a Minnesota DNR burning permit per St. Michael Code Sec. 91.64. The city itself does not issue burning permits — applicants must use the DNR online portal. Burning hours are limited to 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Calendar sprinkling is mandatory in St. Michael from June 1 through September 30 under the Joint Powers Water Board (St. Michael, Albertville, Hanover). Even-numbered addresses water on even-numbered calendar days; odd-numbered addresses water on odd-numbered calendar days.