Saint Paul Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Saint Paul, Minnesota's capital city, administers its zoning through the Department of Planning and Economic Development. The zoning code organizes the city into residential, business, industrial, and traditional neighborhood districts, reflecting Saint Paul's varied landscape of Victorian neighborhoods, commercial corridors, the State Capitol complex, and the Mississippi River waterfront.
The city has adopted a comprehensive plan that emphasizes walkable neighborhoods, transit-oriented development, and housing affordability. Saint Paul's light rail stations along the Green Line (connecting to Minneapolis) have been focal points for transit-oriented zoning and development, with higher densities encouraged near stations.
Minnesota has no enacted statewide ADU preemption. ADU rules are set locally — contact the city planning department.
Key Zoning Districts
Saint Paul uses R1 through R4 residential districts, RM1 and RM2 multi-family districts, B1 through B5 business districts, and I1 through I3 industrial districts. Traditional Neighborhood districts (T1-T4) apply form-based standards in certain areas. The Ford Site zoning plan represents one of the largest planned developments in the city.
ADU Regulations
Saint Paul allows ADUs up to 800 square feet and 20 feet in height in residential zones. No additional parking is required and owner-occupancy is not mandated. The Department of Safety and Inspections handles ADU permits within 45 to 75 days. Both attached and detached ADUs are permitted.
Development Process
Development begins with a zoning review at the Planning Department. Conforming projects proceed to building permits through the Department of Safety and Inspections. Variance and conditional use permit applications go to the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Planning Commission reviews larger projects and rezoning requests.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Saint Paul
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA flood mapping: check parcel-specific flood-zone status
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Minnesota
- Building Code: Minnesota State Building Code (based on 2018 IBC)
County — Ramsey County
- Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The municipality's zoning ordinance, building-code enforcement, and local permits form the primary local layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- Private covenants, deed restrictions, condominium rules, or association rules can impose requirements beyond zoning.
- Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 5,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 30 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- 4,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 45 ft
- Front Setback
- 15 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- None
- Max Height
- 55 ft
- Front Setback
- 0 ft
- Side Setback
- 0 ft
- Rear Setback
- 5 ft
Permit Costs & Timelines
Check Current Permit Fees & Timelines
Permit fees and review times can vary by project type, scope, valuation, and required approvals. Check the current schedule with the local permitting authority before filing.
Check current Saint Paul permit information →Official Sources
City-specific