Bolthole Index

Brown County, Minnesota

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Brown County, Minnesota

54Index Score / 100
#54 of 87 in Minnesota

Unincorporated Brown County, Minnesota requires a zoning permit for buildings and structures covered by county zoning, with a narrow exception for certain alterations costing less than $2,500.1 Brown County Planning & Zoning issues building permits and handles on-site septic permits and inspections.2 County zoning and subdivision rules also make the parcel's district, access, septic capacity and any proposed land division part of the early review.345

At a glance

Building permit
Required for buildings and structures subject to county zoning in unincorporated areas; a limited minor-alteration exception applies1
Zoning
County zoning applies outside incorporated municipalities3
Septic
County permit required before installing, altering or extending a sewage disposal system67
RV living
Conditional; location, zoning, licensing, mobility and utility-connection rules matter8
Seasonal manufactured home
Conditional-use and septic permits required before placement; special size, access and utility standards apply9
Owner-builder
Licensing exemption for an owner building a residence to occupy or retain as a rental, but not to resell or speculate10
A-1 lot size
At least 2.5 acres for a newly constructed non-farm dwelling or a farmstead used for non-farm purposes11

Who to call

Building permits

Brown County Planning & Zoning

Building permits, inspections, zoning, conditional uses, variances and on-site septic permits in unincorporated Brown County

507-233-6640

14 S State Street 2nd Floor New Ulm, MN 56073

Online permits →

Roads & driveways

Brown County Highway Department

Access driveway permits for county roads

(507) 233-5700

enginr@browncountymn.gov

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 7, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Brown County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Brown County, Minnesota?

Yes. A zoning permit is required before erecting, altering, repairing or moving a building or part of one, including a deck, on land subject to Brown County zoning in unincorporated areas.1 An alteration costing less than $2,500 is exempt only when it does not change the structure's footprint and the property is outside the Floodplain and Shoreland Zoning Districts.1

The Minnesota State Building Code supplies the statewide construction standard, although local enforceability depends on adoption by ordinance.12 Brown County's ordinance calls for a certified building official or other qualified code specialist for new buildings and structures, but does not establish county administration inside every municipality.13 Qualifying agricultural buildings are outside the State Building Code, but only when they meet the statutory agricultural-land, use and occupancy conditions.14 An owner building a residence to occupy or retain as a rental may qualify for a contractor-licensing exemption, not an exemption from zoning permits or inspections.10

Who issues building permits in Brown County, Minnesota?

Brown County Planning & Zoning is the first stop for a project in unincorporated Brown County: the office administers county zoning and subdivision rules, issues building permits, provides inspections and handles on-site septic permits.2 The office is at 14 S State Street, 2nd Floor, New Ulm, MN 56073, and its main phone is 507-233-6640.2 The county also provides online building-permit applications, though the published material does not give every procedure or fee amount.15

A zoning-permit application goes to the Zoning Administrator on a county form and includes a scaled plan showing lot dimensions and the proposed building's size and location.4 County review considers wetlands, feedlot and septic compliance, setbacks, and any conditional-use or variance approval.4 Fees are set annually by County Board resolution, so confirm the current amount before filing.16

Does Brown County, Minnesota have zoning?

Yes. Brown County administers zoning in unincorporated areas; incorporated municipalities fall outside the county ordinance and may apply their own controls.17 Brown County publishes its zoning ordinance and map, and district-specific use and dimensional rules control what can be built.18

In the A-1 district, a newly constructed non-farm dwelling or farmstead converted to non-farm use needs at least 2.5 acres.11 Shoreland and bluff setbacks vary by site, so a single setback should not be assumed countywide.19 Brown County also regulates subdivisions outside municipal limits: a land division creating two or more lots requires a plat when any resulting parcel is under 5 acres, subject to exceptions and possible municipal or township review.20 Retaining agricultural use can support an administrative subdivision, but building a residence does not count as agricultural use for that exception.21

How do septic permits work in Brown County, Minnesota?

Brown County Planning & Zoning administers the on-site septic program in unincorporated areas and provides septic permits and inspections.6 A county permit is required before constructing, installing, modifying, replacing or operating an on-site septic system.7 Compliance inspections apply to new and replacement systems and to specified shoreland applications, bedroom additions, transfers, failures and changes of use.22

Septic feasibility deserves early attention because only 2.4% of mapped county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field.23 For shoreland subdivisions without public sewer and water, each lot must have a domestic water supply and capacity for compliant sewage treatment; publicly owned sewer must be used where available.24 A pit toilet is not a general off-grid shortcut: the county allows one for a seasonal dwelling only when it meets Minnesota Chapter 7080, and the dwelling still needs a county septic permit.25

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Brown County, Minnesota?

Brown County does not give blanket approval to live in an RV on any rural parcel. Travel trailers and recreational vehicles receive the ordinance exemption only in listed locations when they have current highway-use licenses, remain highway-ready, use quick-disconnect utilities, have no permanent structural additions and are allowed by the underlying zoning district.8 Development exceeding $1,000 for a structural addition or accessory structure removes that exemption and triggers flood-elevation and land-use rules.8

A manufactured home used as a seasonal dwelling has a clearer route: it requires county conditional-use and septic permits before placement and must follow the ordinance's manufactured-home, size, shoreline, road-access, water and sanitation standards.9 This seasonal category is not a general tiny-home approval. Brown County could not confirm a general tiny-home occupancy or private-land temporary-camping rule, so give Planning & Zoning the parcel number, intended duration, foundation or wheel configuration and utility plan before buying the unit.2

What are the steps to build a home in Brown County, Minnesota?

For a home in unincorporated Brown County, use this order:

  1. Ask Planning & Zoning to identify the zoning district and screen the home for setbacks, wetlands, feedlots, septic compliance and any conditional-use or variance issue.4
  2. If land must be divided, resolve platting first; no zoning permit may issue in a subdivision until subdivision requirements are met.20
  3. Confirm legal road access. For a driveway onto a county road, use the Highway Department's access-driveway application and call (507) 233-5700 with questions.2627
  4. Establish septic feasibility and obtain the county septic permit before installing or replacing the system.7
  5. Submit the zoning-permit application and scaled site plan through Planning & Zoning.4
  6. Keep regulated work accessible for required inspections and do not cover it before approval.28
  7. For a floodplain site, complete the applicable floodplain review and required elevation or flood-protection certification before occupancy.2930

What should you check before buying land in Brown County?

Start with the official zoning map and have Planning & Zoning confirm the parcel's district, allowed use, setbacks and any shoreland or floodplain overlay.18 Ask whether the legal description or planned sale triggers subdivision review, especially when a resulting parcel would be under 5 acres.31 For road access, match the driveway application to the road authority; Brown County publishes an application for access-driveway construction, while a direct connection to a state highway needs a MnDOT permit.2632

Treat septic suitability as a purchase contingency because only 2.4% of mapped soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field.23 Minnesota generally requires advance notification and a filing fee for a new water-supply well, subject to stated exceptions and any delegated local authority.33 For budgeting context, the median property-tax bill is about $1,890 per year and the effective rate is about 1%.3435

Watch-outs

  • A cheap alteration is not automatically permit-free: the exception below $2,500 also requires no footprint change and does not apply in Floodplain or Shoreland Zoning Districts.1
  • The owner-builder exemption is limited to contractor licensing for qualifying residential owners and does not cover construction for resale or speculation.10
  • Brown County will not issue a zoning permit for a tract without road access, and a county-road driveway has its own Highway Department application.2627
  • A seasonal manufactured home is not automatically approved: placement requires county conditional-use and septic permits plus the seasonal-dwelling standards.36
  • General tiny-home occupancy and private-land temporary camping remain unconfirmed; ask Brown County Planning & Zoning about the exact parcel and use.2

Sources

  1. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  2. Brown County Planning & Zoning (browncountymn.gov)
  3. Planning & Zoning Home, quoted and re-checked
  4. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  5. 2024 Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  6. Planning & Zoning Home, quoted and re-checked
  7. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  8. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  9. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  10. Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.805, quoted and re-checked
  11. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  12. Overview of the Minnesota State Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  13. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  14. Minnesota Statutes § 326B.121, State Building Code; application and enforcement (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Planning & Zoning Home, quoted and re-checked
  16. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  17. Planning & Zoning Home, quoted and re-checked
  18. Planning & Zoning Home, quoted and re-checked
  19. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  20. 2024 Brown County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  21. 2024 Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  22. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  23. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  25. browncountymn.gov, quoted and re-checked
  26. Permits, quoted and re-checked
  27. Brown County Highway Department (browncountymn.gov)
  28. 1300.0210 INSPECTIONS (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  30. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  31. Brown County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  32. MnDOT Access Management Manual, Chapter 4 (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. 2025 Minnesota Statutes, section 103I.205: Well Construction (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  34. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Brown County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked

Written October 7, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Brown County has countywide zoning.

RuleBrown CountyNicollet CountyWatonwan CountySibley CountyRedwood CountyRenville CountyCottonwood County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredLimited
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Planning & ZoningCounty Planning & ZoningCounty Land Management Dept.County Zoning Dept.County Env. OfficeCounty Env. ServicesCounty Env./Soil & Water Office

County locator

Brown County in Minnesota

54
County map
Brown County highlighted among the Minnesota counties · colored by Index score

How Brown County scores

Seclusion71100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency29100% ev.
Admin Boringness43100% ev.
Durability50100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost62100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$253kTypical home
1%Property tax
$8,310Land / acre
30.7"Annual rain
12.6% of yrsSevere drought
4.2 / yr (+3.9)Mid-century 100°F days
17 daysMid-century dry spell
1.52" (+6.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.66×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,854Home insurance / yr
4.6% / yrInsurance growth
0.44%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
7,652People within 30 min
1,011,789People within 2 hr
21,260Radius comparison (15 mi)
41.9People / sq mi
0.5%Federal land
98.3%Land at 15% slope or less
2.4%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
8,974 acWorkable land screen
6.3%Wooded land
56.2 tonsBiomass / forest ac
45.2°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Brown County

Inside a city, town or township here, that government usually sets zoning and may issue its own building permits; the county’s rules above cover land outside them.

Not yet researched: Albin Township · Bashaw Township · Burnstown Township · Cobden · Comfrey · Cottonwood Township · Eden Township · Evan · Hanska · Home Township · Lake Hanska Township · Leavenworth Township · Linden Township · Milford Township · Mulligan Township · North Star Township · Prairieville Township · Sigel Township · Springfield · Stark Township · Stately Township

Answers from the rulebook for Brown County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Brown County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings and structures subject to Brown County zoning in unincorporated areas.

    • A permit is not required for an alteration costing less than $2,500 if it does not change the structure's footprint and is not located in the Floodplain or Shoreland Zoning Districts.
    • Conditional-use or variance approval must be obtained before the zoning permit can issue.
    • The permit is valid for one year and may be extended by yearly intervals, but no extension may exceed three years.

    minor alteration cost threshold: < 2500 USD (No footprint change and not in Floodplain or Shoreland Zoning Districts.)

    “Hereafter, no person shall erect, alter, repair or move any building or part thereof, including decks, without first securing a zoning permit. A permit shall not be required for an alteration costing less than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) if it doesn’t change the footprint of a structure and isn’t located in the Floodplain or Shoreland Zoning Districts.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Minnesota State Building Code enforcement for new buildings or structures in Brown County jurisdictions administering the code.

    • Brown County must employ or contract with a certified building official or qualified limited/accessibility specialist.
    • The cited ordinance does not establish that every municipality in the county is administered by Brown County.
    “Brown County will employ or contract as needed with a certified building official, certified building official limited, or certified building official accessibility specialist to enforce the provisions of the code in new buildings or structures.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Occupancy of buildings or use of vacant floodplain in Brown County's floodplain zoning areas.

    • No vacant floodplain may be occupied or used until the required certification is submitted.
    • A registered professional engineer or architect must certify finished fill or building elevations, floodproofing, or other flood protection measures; a registered land surveyor may certify fill and building elevations.
    “No vacant flood plain shall be occupied or used and no building hereafter erected, altered or moved shall be occupied until the applicant submits to the appropriate local official a certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the finished fill or building elevations, flood proofing or other flood protection measures were accomplished in compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning administration in unincorporated areas of Brown County

    • The county page expressly limits this administration to unincorporated areas.
    • Incorporated municipalities may administer their own zoning controls.
    “The Planning and Zoning Department coordinates the overall administration of the Brown County Comprehensive Plan through the County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations in the unincorporated areas of the county.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Brown County Zoning Ordinance and related zoning administration in unincorporated areas.
      “The Planning and Zoning Department coordinates the overall administration of the Brown County Comprehensive Plan through the County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations in the unincorporated areas of the county.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning regulation in the unincorporated areas of Brown County.

    • The Brown County Zoning Ordinance applies outside the incorporated limits of municipalities.
    • Incorporated municipalities are outside the geographic scope of this county ordinance and may administer their own local controls; this research did not identify each municipality's separate zoning ordinance.
    • Existing nonconforming buildings and uses may continue subject to the ordinance's special nonconforming-use regulations.
    “through the County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations in the unincorporated areas of the county.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    County zoning districts and district provisions in unincorporated Brown County

    • The county publishes a zoning ordinance and zoning map.
    • The zoning ordinance contains a section titled “ZONING DISTRICTS, DISTRICT PROVISIONS & SHORELAND AREAS.”
    “SECTION 6. ZONING DISTRICTS, DISTRICT PROVISIONS & SHORELAND AREAS”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — Brown County zoning districts and official zoning map for unincorporated areas.
      “View the Zoning Ordinance (PDF) [...] View the Zoning Map”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Dwellings and other uses in Brown County zoning districts.

    • Requirements vary by district and use.
    • For newly constructed non-farm dwellings or farmsteads used for non-farm purposes, the A-1 district requires 2.5 acres.
    • Shoreland dwellings also require 2.5 acres under the cited A-1 standards.

    A-1 non-farm dwelling minimum lot area: >= 2.5 acres

    “For newly constructed non-farm dwellings or farmsteads use for non-farm purposes - 2 1/2 acres.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Shoreland and bluff-related setbacks in unincorporated Brown County

    • Shoreland setbacks apply in the shoreland area and may be increased by floodplain regulations.
    • An exception exists for water-oriented accessory uses.

    ordinary high water setback: 150 feet (Water-oriented accessory-use exception; floodplain rules may increase the setback) · unplatted cemetery setback: 50 feet · bluff setback, non-eroding: 50 feet · bluff setback, actively eroding: 100 feet

    “Minimum setback from top of bluff - 50 feet for non-eroding bluffs, and 100 feet for actively eroding bluffs, and no structures except stairways and landings shall be permitted in the bluff impact zone.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Lots in the B-1 Highway Business District.

    • The cited limit is district-specific and should not be generalized to all Brown County parcels.

    maximum lot coverage by buildings: <= 30 percent

    “No more than thirty (30) percent of the lot shall be occupied by buildings.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Accessory structures associated with seasonal dwellings in unincorporated Brown County

    • The height limit applies to a seasonal-dwelling accessory building, not generally to all buildings.

    seasonal-dwelling accessory-building maximum height: 12 feet

    “The maximum height of a seasonal dwelling accessory building may not exceed twelve (12) feet.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Placement of travel trailers and recreational vehicles on individual lots, parcels of record, existing commercial RV parks, campgrounds, and existing condominium associations.

    • Travel trailers or travel vehicles are exempt only if they are in an area listed by Section 721.5, have current highway-use licenses, remain highway-ready/on wheels or an internal jacking system, use only quick-disconnect utilities, have no permanent structural additions, and are permissible in the underlying zoning district.
    • The exemption is lost when parcel development exceeds $1,000 for a structural addition or accessory structure; the vehicle and additions then become subject to Section 609 elevation/floodproofing and land-use restrictions.

    structural addition or accessory development threshold: > 1000 USD (Loss of exemption under Section 721.6.)

    “Travel trailers and travel vehicles are exempt from the provisions of this Ordinance if they are placed in any of the areas listed in Section 721.7 below and further they meet the following criteria: (1) Have current licenses required for highway use. (2) Are highway ready meaning on wheels or the internal jacking system, are attached to the site only quick disconnect type utilities commonly used in campgrounds and trailer parks and the travel trailer/travel vehicle has no permanent structural type additions attached to it. (3) The travel trailer or travel vehicle and associated use must be permissible in any pre-existing, underlying zoning use district.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    A manufactured home used as a seasonal dwelling under the Brown County Zoning Ordinance in unincorporated Brown County.

    • A county conditional use permit is required before construction and/or placement of any seasonal dwelling.
    • Septic systems must meet Minnesota Chapter 7080; pit toilets are allowed only if they meet that code; and a county septic permit is required before construction.
    • Wells and running-water systems must meet Minnesota Department of Health standards.
    • Floor area may not exceed 700 square feet.
    • Structures must meet the ordinary-high-water-mark setback under Minnesota Rule 6120 and Section 733.
    • There must be 300 feet of shoreline for each seasonal dwelling, if applicable.
    • Each lot must have public-road access or a recorded access easement.
    • The seasonal dwelling must be removed if found dilapidated or abandoned.
    • A land survey may be required.
    • A variance may be considered for a preexisting nonconforming seasonal dwelling adopted on March 6, 2001, if destroyed by a natural disaster through no fault of the owner.
    • One accessory structure is allowed in addition to an outhouse, with total square footage not exceeding 350 square feet and maximum accessory-building height of 12 feet.
    • The manufactured home must conform to Section 603.2(6) standards.
    • The ordinance PDF displays 'Update 1/17/2023'; this revision stamp is not treated as an effective date.

    maximum seasonal dwelling floor area: <= 700 square feet · shoreline per seasonal dwelling: 300 feet (if applicable) · maximum accessory structure count: 1 structure (in addition to any outhouse) · maximum combined accessory-structure area: <= 350 square feet (in addition to any outhouse) · maximum accessory-building height: <= 12 feet

    “Any manufactured home used for a seasonal dwelling shall conform to standards as listed in Section 603.2(6) of this ordinance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Manufactured homes used as seasonal dwellings
      “Any manufactured home used for a seasonal dwelling shall conform to standards as listed in Section 603.2(6) of this ordinance.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site septic system program in Brown County

    • The county Planning and Zoning Office administers the county program in the unincorporated areas described on its official page.
    “This office issues building permits and provides inspections and permits for the on-site septic system program.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County — On-site septic systems in Brown County under the Brown County Planning and Zoning Office.
      “This office issues building permits and provides inspections and permits for the on-site septic system program.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, modification, replacement, or operation of an SSTS in Brown County

    • The ordinance states that an appropriate permit is required from the Brown County Planning and Zoning Office.
    • The ordinance also contains specific exceptions and conditions elsewhere for maintenance and other SSTS activities.
    “It is unlawful for any person to construct, install, modify, replace, or operate a SSTS without the appropriate permit from the Brown County Planning and Zoning Office.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    SSTS compliance inspections in Brown County

    • A compliance inspection is required for shoreland zoning-permit applications on parcels served by an SSTS.
    • It is also required for specified bedroom additions, property transfers involving a Certificate of Real Estate Value, suspected system failure or public-health risk, new or replacement systems, and qualifying changes in building use.
    • Exempt transactions include tracts without buildings or plumbing fixtures, transfers without a required Certificate of Real Estate Value, certain pre-existing contracts for deed, and buildings connected to a municipal wastewater system.
    • For transfers from November 1 through April 1 when weather prevents inspection, inspection is due by June 1 and filing by June 15.
    • A seller or buyer failing to provide inspection within six months may be charged a fee assessed to property taxes.

    existing SSTS certificate validity: 3 years · new or replacement SSTS certificate validity: 5 years

    “A SSTS shall require a compliance inspection when any of the following conditions occur:”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Pit toilets and other off-grid sanitation for seasonal dwellings

    • The seasonal-dwelling provision allows pit toilets only if they meet Minnesota Chapter 7080.
    • A county septic permit must be obtained before construction of a seasonal dwelling.
    • The provision is not a general authorization for all off-grid sanitation uses.
    “Septic systems must meet state code MN Chapter 7080. Pit toilets are allowed if they meet the above mentioned state code. A county septic permit must be obtained prior to construction of any seasonal dwelling.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Pit toilets and other off-grid sanitation for seasonal dwellings.
      “Septic systems must meet state code MN Chapter 7080. Pit toilets are allowed if they meet the above mentioned state code. A county septic permit must be obtained prior to construction of any seasonal dwelling.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Water and wastewater servicing for shoreland subdivisions in unincorporated Brown County

    • Publicly-owned sewer systems must be used where available.
    • Where public sewer and water are unavailable, subdivision approval requires domestic water supply and sewage treatment capacity for every lot.
    “In areas not served by publicly owned sewer and water systems, a subdivision will not be approved unless domestic water supply is available and a sewage treatment system consistent with this ordinance and MPCA Chapter 7080 can be provided for every lot.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Administrative land subdivision involving retained agricultural land

    • The land must qualify as Agricultural Land under the ordinance and the agricultural use must be retained.
    • Construction of a residence is not considered agricultural use for this provision.
    • A metes-and-bounds description is required for the remainder and new parcel.
    “The subdivision of land is Agricultural Land as defined in this ordinance and the use is retained; however, a metes and bounds description is required for both the remainder of the land and the land to be established as a new parcel. The construction of a residence shall not be considered an agricultural use for the purposes of this section.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Administrative subdivision of retained agricultural land.
      “The subdivision of land is Agricultural Land as defined in this ordinance and the use is retained; however, a metes and bounds description is required for both the remainder of the land and the land to be established as a new parcel. The construction of a residence shall not be considered an agricultural use for the purposes of this section.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Plats, subdivisions, and qualifying land divisions in areas of Brown County outside incorporated municipal limits.

    • The regulations apply outside incorporated municipal limits.
    • A plat is required for any division creating two or more lots or parcels when any resulting parcel is less than five acres.
    • A plat is also required for property already in a recorded plat, subject to the stated exemption for vacation of well and utility easements.
    • A plat must be approved by the Brown County Board of Commissioners before recording or validity.
    • Municipal extraterritorial subdivision regulations apply to a proposed plat within two miles of a municipality that has adopted them, and municipal approval is required before county submission.
    • Property within the City of New Ulm electrical-services territory must follow City of New Ulm subdivision regulations and is not required to be submitted to the County.
    • Where a Brown County township has adopted platting regulations under state law, township approval is required before county submission.
    • For applications with eight or more proposed lots or dwelling units, 25 percent of total acreage must be designated as common open space.
    • No zoning permit may be issued for construction in a subdivision until the subdivision-regulation requirements are satisfied.
    • Applicable grading/filling and sediment/erosion-control plans must comply with the state's NPDES permit.
    • The County Planning Commission must approve all plats/subdivisions and certain replats or prior lot divisions.
    • For subdivisions with more than three lots, pre-application meeting, wetland, soil/septic, water-supply, township-consensus, application, surveyor, fee, and preliminary-plat requirements apply as stated in the ordinance.
    • The 2024 PDF states it was updated 4/16/2024; that update notation is not treated as an effective date.

    minimum resulting parcel size triggering plat requirement: < 5 acres (a plat is required if any resulting parcel is less than five acres) · minimum common open-space percentage for applications with 8 or more lots or dwelling units: >= 25 percent (of total acreage, including developable and undevelopable land) · municipal extraterritorial review distance: <= 2 miles (where the municipality has adopted extraterritorial subdivision platting regulations) · minimum pre-application notice for subdivisions with more than 3 lots: >= 1 week (appointment with the Zoning Administrator and staff)

    “The regulations herein governing plats and the subdivision of land shall apply to all the areas of the County lying outside the incorporated limits of municipalities.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Platting and subdivision of land outside incorporated municipal limits in Brown County.
      “The regulations herein governing plats and the subdivision of land shall apply to all the areas of the County lying outside the incorporated limits of municipalities.”
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Plats and subdivision of land outside incorporated municipalities in Brown County
      “A Plat is required if any of the following conditions exist: a) Any division of land that creates two or more lots or parcels, any of which resultant parcels is less than five ( 5) acres in area.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Access-driveway construction requiring a Brown County Highway Department permit process.

    • The official county page publishes a driveway permit application, but the retrieved text does not establish whether every driveway requires the permit.
    “Driveway Permit Form (PDF) - Application for construction of an access driveway”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in Brown County shoreland and floodplain-regulated areas

    • All proposed structures in the cited shoreland provision must meet Section 609 floodplain regulations.
    • Floodplain rules may increase the ordinary-high-water structural setback.
    “All proposed structures must also meet Section 609 Floodplain regulations as amended which may increase the structural setback from the river.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Brown County fee schedules, including the official 2026 Fee Schedule listed by the county.

    • The reviewed county page identifies the 2026 Fee Schedule but the PDF text was not available for extraction; individual fee amounts remain unresolved.
    “2025-4 2026 Fee Schedule (PDF) [...] 2024-5 Ordinance Adopting the 2025 Fee Schedule (PDF)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Variable (with conditions) — Brown County zoning permit fees and other county zoning fees.
      “Zoning permit fees and other fees as may be established annually by resolution of the County Board and shall be collected by the Zoning Administrator or their designee for deposit with the County and credited to the appropriate fund.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Brown County planning, zoning, building-permit, and septic-permit processes.

    • The county provides online permit applications and directs applicants to Planning and Zoning; detailed building-permit procedures and fee amounts were not fully extracted.
    “Start your Building Permits Online [...] This office issues building permits and provides inspections and permits for the on-site septic system program.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Brown County zoning permit application and review process.
      “Application for a zoning permit shall be made by the owner except if a General Contractor is employed. They shall make the application to the Zoning Administrator on blank forms to be furnished by the Planning and Zoning Office.”

Minnesota rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner of residential real estate who personally builds or improves residential real estate, as an exemption from the residential contractor licensing requirement.

    • The owner must occupy or intend to occupy the residential real estate for residential purposes, or retain ownership for rental purposes after completion.
    • The exemption does not apply when the owner constructs or improves residential real estate for resale or speculation.
    • An owner is presumed to be building or improving for speculation if the owner constructs or improves more than one property within any 24-month period, unless the properties will be retained for rental purposes.
    • This is a contractor-licensing exemption and does not waive applicable building permits, inspections, or certificates of occupancy.

    speculation presumption threshold: > 1 additional property within 24 months (The presumption does not apply if the properties will be retained by the owner for rental purposes.)

    “The license requirement does not apply to: [...] an owner of residential real estate who builds or improves residential real estate”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Owner of residential real estate performing construction or improvement work in Minnesota.
      “an owner of residential real estate who builds or improves residential real estate if the owner occupies or will occupy the residential real estate for residential purposes, or will retain ownership for rental purposes upon completion of the building or improvement. This exemption does not apply to an owner who constructs or improves residential real estate for purposes of resale or speculation.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction or work for which a Minnesota State Building Code permit is required.

    • The work must remain accessible and exposed until approved.
    • The permit applicant must cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection.
    • The building official identifies required inspections; the permit holder must maintain the inspection record card until final approval.
    • Work may not proceed beyond each successive inspection point without building-official approval; noncomplying portions must be corrected and may not be covered or concealed until authorized.
    “Construction or work for which a permit is required is subject to inspection by the building official”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Private or public areas accommodating five or more tents or recreational camping vehicles on a daily, nightly, weekly, or longer basis

    • An annual license from the Minnesota Department of Health is required before establishing, maintaining, conducting, or operating a recreational camping area.
    • The license requires application, payment of the statutory fee, and approval for operation including plan review.
    • A recreational camping area excludes children's camps, industrial camps, migrant labor camps, United States Forest Service camps, state forest service camps, qualifying state wildlife-management or state-owned public-access areas, qualifying temporary holding areas adjacent to motorsports facilities, and a privately owned area used by a private club no more than once annually and no longer than seven consecutive days.
    • A special event recreational camping area operates no more than two times annually and for no more than 14 consecutive days.
    • The statute does not resolve local zoning or land-use requirements.

    minimum accommodated tents or recreational camping vehicles: >= 5 units (Statutory exclusions apply.) · special event operating frequency: <= 2 times annually (Special event recreational camping area.) · special event duration: <= 14 consecutive days (Special event recreational camping area.) · annual license base fee for recreational camping area with 24 or fewer sites: 100 USD (Additional $8 per licensed site; special event areas are excluded from that per-site paragraph.) · annual license base fee for recreational camping area with 25 to 99 sites: 410 USD (Additional $8 per licensed site; special event areas are excluded from that per-site paragraph.) · annual license base fee for recreational camping area with 100 or more sites: 610 USD (Additional $8 per licensed site; special event areas are excluded from that per-site paragraph.)

    “"Recreational camping area" means any area, whether privately or publicly owned, used on a daily, nightly, weekly, or longer basis for the accommodation of five or more tents or recreational camping vehicles free of charge or for compensation. [...] "Special event recreational camping area" means a recreational camping area which operates no more than two times annually and for no more than 14 consecutive days. [...] No person, firm or corporation shall establish, maintain, conduct or operate a manufactured home park or recreational camping area within this state without first obtaining an annual license from the state Department of Health.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Construction and residential use of tiny houses statewide, subject to the Minnesota State Building Code and applicable municipal zoning ordinances.

    • The Minnesota State Building Code applies statewide to construction of buildings, including tiny houses.
    • Municipal zoning ordinances vary by municipality and regulate land use, location, height, width, foundation type, number of stories, and building size.
    • The jurisdiction must be consulted for local zoning specifics.
    • Tiny houses used as dwelling units must comply with the Minnesota Residential Code unless otherwise stated in Appendix Q.
    • A tiny house is a dwelling of 400 square feet or less in floor area, excluding lofts.
    • Applicable requirements include light, ventilation, heating, minimum room sizes, ceiling heights, sanitation, toilet, bath and shower spaces, emergency escape and rescue openings, means of egress, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms.

    maximum tiny-house floor area: <= 400 square feet (lofts excluded) · minimum habitable-space and hallway ceiling height: >= 6.67 feet (6 feet 8 inches) · minimum bathroom, toilet-room, and kitchen ceiling height: >= 6.33 feet (6 feet 4 inches)

    “The Minnesota State Building Code is the standard of construction that applies statewide for the construction of buildings (MS 326B.121) including tiny houses.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Temporary family health care dwellings used as a narrow accessory residential dwelling category statewide, where the municipality has not opted out of Minnesota Statutes § 462.3593.

    • The dwelling must be primarily assembled away from its installation site, be no more than 300 gross square feet, lack a permanent foundation, meet state-recognized accessibility standards, provide water and electric utilities, use compatible exterior materials, have at least R-15 insulation, be transportable by the specified truck types, comply with Minnesota Rules chapter 1360 or 1361 with the required seal and data plate or ANSI Code 119.2, and have a backflow check valve.
    • A caregiver or relative must apply for a municipal temporary dwelling permit with the required signatures and documentation, including provider-network proof, medical certification, septic-service documentation, adjacent-owner notice affidavit, and a site map.
    • The dwelling must be on property where the caregiver or relative resides, comply with setbacks and applicable floor-area-ratio limits, and permit safe and timely access for septic services and emergency vehicles.
    • Occupancy is limited to one identified mentally or physically impaired person, and only one temporary family health care dwelling is allowed per lot.
    • The dwelling must comply with applicable state law, local ordinances, and charter provisions unless otherwise provided.
    • The initial permit lasts six months and may be renewed once for an additional six months.
    • The municipality may inspect, revoke the permit for violations, and require removal within 60 days after revocation.
    • Unless otherwise provided by ordinance, the municipality may charge up to $100 for the initial permit and up to $50 for renewal.
    • The municipality may opt out of the statutory requirements by ordinance.

    maximum dwelling area: <= 300 gross square feet · initial permit term: 6 months (renewable once for an additional six months) · maximum initial permit fee: <= 100 USD (unless otherwise provided by ordinance) · maximum renewal permit fee: <= 50 USD (unless otherwise provided by ordinance) · maximum occupants: 1 person (occupant must be a mentally or physically impaired person) · maximum dwellings per lot: 1 dwelling

    “A temporary family health care dwelling that meets the requirements of this section cannot be prohibited by a local ordinance that regulates accessory uses or recreational vehicle parking or storage.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Accessory dwelling units statewide, including conversion of a structure into an ADU, subject to local zoning and Minnesota residential building-code requirements.
      “Local zoning ordinances dictate if a tiny home or accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is allowed on the property.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Construction of water-supply, dewatering, and environmental wells in Minnesota.

    • A well notification and applicable filing fee are generally required before construction; the statute describes notification rather than a general construction-permit requirement for these wells.
    • A drive-point water-supply well personally constructed by an individual on owned or leased property for farming, agricultural purposes, or the individual's place of abode must be reported within ten days after completion, and no notification fee may be charged.
    • The notification requirement preempts local permits and notifications unless the commissioner has delegated permitting or notification authority under section 103I.111.
    • If operation of the well requires a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources appropriation permit, specified information must be submitted to the commissioner of natural resources and construction may begin after preliminary approval.
    • A well that is not in use must be sealed or have a maintenance permit, subject to the statutory environmental/dewatering-well exception.

    drive-point well notification deadline: 10 days after completion (personally constructed by an individual on owned or leased property for farming, agricultural purposes, or the individual's place of abode) · unused well status: sealed or maintenance permit (environmental or dewatering wells not sealed by 14 months after completion require an annually renewed maintenance permit)

    “Except as provided in paragraph (d), a person may not construct a water-supply, dewatering, or environmental well until a notification of the proposed well on a form prescribed by the commissioner is filed with the commissioner with the filing fee in section 103I.208, and, when applicable, the person has met the requirements of paragraph (e).”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    County planning and zoning authority over unincorporated areas of Minnesota.

    • The authority applies to a county having less than 300,000 population according to the 1950 federal census.
    • The statute authorizes county planning and zoning activities generally within the qualifying counties; it does not identify a separate unincorporated-area limitation in this section.
    • Except as otherwise provided, a county regardless of population must not enact, amend, or enforce an ordinance eliminating or terminating a lawful use by amortization.
    • The amortization prohibition does not apply to adults-only bookstores, adults-only theaters, or similar adults-only businesses as defined by ordinance.
    • The amortization subdivision does not prohibit nuisance-prevention or nuisance-abatement enforcement or elimination of a use determined to be a public nuisance without payment of compensation.

    population threshold: < 300000 persons (According to the 1950 federal census)

    “having less than 300,000 population according to the 1950 federal census is authorized to carry on county planning and zoning activities.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Minnesota counties may administer and enforce the State Building Code within their jurisdiction by ordinance; this includes a county's authority over residential construction in unincorporated county territory, subject to the statutory limits on code application and local provisions.

    • The statutory authorization is to administer and enforce the State Building Code, rather than a county-specific building code.
    • A county that is not already required by Minnesota Statutes § 326B.121, subdivision 2(a), to administer and enforce the code may elect to do so by ordinance.
    • The State Building Code applies statewide to construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and structures governed by the code.
    • The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except for state inspections or rulemaking authorized by Minnesota Statutes §§ 103F.141, 216C.19, subdivision 9, and 326B.36, and except that translucent panels or other skylights without raised curbs must have equivalent load-bearing capacity as the surrounding roof.
    • A municipality may not require building-code provisions regulating structural components or systems that differ from the State Building Code; with state building official approval, it may adopt a more restrictive ordinance where geological conditions warrant it.
    • A municipality may enforce the State Building Code through lawful means, including contracts with other municipalities or qualified individuals; building-permit fees may be retained or remitted to reimburse them.
    “If a municipality is not required by paragraph (a) to administer and enforce the State Building Code, the municipality may choose to administer and enforce the State Building Code within its jurisdiction by adopting the code by ordinance.”

Set by your town or city, not the county

In Minnesota, zoning is adopted by each town or city, so Brown County has no county-wide answer on these. Find your town or city in the list of places on this page, or call its clerk or zoning administrator.

  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Brown County, Minnesota

Is Brown County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Brown County scores 54/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: sparse surroundings — about 7,652 people within a 30-minute drive and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (30.7″/yr rainfall).

Do you need a building permit in Brown County, Minnesota?

Brown County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Brown County Planning & Zoning (SSTS program). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Brown County, Minnesota?

Land in Brown County runs about $8,310 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Brown County?

Brown County gets about 30.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 12.6% of years.

How remote is Brown County?

A representative private-land location has about 7,652 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,011,789 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Brown compares in Minnesota

Compare side-by-side →See all 87 Minnesota counties ranked →