Bolthole Index

Carver County, Minnesota

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

49Index Score / 100
#74 of 87 in Minnesota

Carver County, Minnesota requires building permits in county-administered areas for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, occupancy changes and regulated equipment work, with a limited exemption for certain detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less1. County zoning applies outside incorporated cities and specified areas served by another zoning authority2. Carver County Environmental Services oversees septic systems3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for broad building work; a limited exemption covers certain one-story detached accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less1
Zoning
County zoning applies outside incorporated cities and specified areas served by another zoning authority2
Septic
County Environmental Services oversees SSTS; a passing compliance inspection must be on file before a property transfer closes34
Owner-builder
Available when the owner will occupy the home or retain it as a rental; not for resale or speculation5
Driveways
A county building permit is required, plus a road-authority permit: County Engineer for county roads, Town Board for township roads, MnDOT for state highways67
RV as a residence
Not permanently; a temporary home is allowed only while building a permitted permanent home, and must be removed within 2 years8
Floodplain
The Zoning Administrator requires a permit before specified development in county floodplain districts9
Minimum home size
In county-zoned areas, all dwellings, including manufactured homes, need at least 480 sq ft and a width of at least 20 feet10

Who to call

Building permits

Carver County Land Management - Building Permits

Building permits for all ten townships in Carver County (cities issue their own)

(952) 361-1820

landmanagement@carvercountymn.gov

600 East 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318

Online permits →

Zoning

Carver County Land Management - Zoning

Zoning administration, the zoning code and zoning/policy maps for all ten townships in Carver County

600 East 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318

Septic permits

Carver County Environmental Services - SSTS Program

Design, installation, inspection and maintenance oversight of subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS), plus septic property-transfer requirements and financial assistance

(952) 361-1800

ssts@carvercountymn.gov

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 13, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Carver 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 Carver County, Minnesota?

In county-administered areas of Carver County, anyone intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a building, change its occupancy or use, or undertake regulated gas, mechanical, plumbing or equipment work must apply before starting1. The exemption for a one-story detached accessory structure of 200 square feet or less is limited and does not erase separate plumbing, electrical, mechanical or zoning requirements1. Carver County issues building permits for its townships, while each city reviews work within its own jurisdiction6. An owner may do residential building or improvement work when the owner will occupy the property or retain it as a rental, but the exemption does not cover construction for resale or speculation5. Carver County administers the Minnesota State Building Code; its overview names the 2015 edition, so ask Metro West which edition applies to your application116. A new home needs a final inspection and certificate of occupancy before anyone may occupy or use it12.

Who issues building permits in Carver County, and how do you reach them?

Carver County Land Management handles building permits and zoning for the county's townships613. Schedule an appointment at landmanagement@carvercountymn.gov or (952) 361-1820, and have the site plan, septic and well locations, building size, use and construction value ready6. Carver County's zoning-compliance, application and other zoning-control fees follow the County Board's adopted Carver County Fee Schedule; ask Land Management for the current charges146. After Land Management has received, reviewed, approved and issued the permit, Metro West Inspection Services, Inc. handles inspection scheduling and building-code questions at (763) 479-17206. The permit applicant must request each inspection at least 24 hours ahead and leave the work accessible and exposed; same-day service is not guaranteed, and work that is not ready may draw a reinspection fee15. Paperwork has deadlines too: an application that is incomplete or unpaid after 180 days is treated as abandoned, and a permit can lapse after 180 days of suspension or failure to start, with renewal costing half the original fee plus a $5 state surcharge16.

Does Carver County have zoning?

Carver County zoning applies outside incorporated cities and outside orderly-annexation, joint-powers or similar areas that have another zoning authority2. Land Management oversees zoning for all ten townships13. Inside Chanhassen, the city administers its own zoning; Carver County Environmental Services remains the countywide SSTS oversight office1718. In county-zoned areas, side and rear lot-line setbacks are 15 feet and 30 feet, while bluff rules are stricter19. The general maximum structure height is 35 feet; listed exceptions may reach 100 feet, and taller structures require a conditional use permit20. Minimum lot area varies with the density option, shoreland classification and use, so a parcel cannot be judged from acreage alone21. In the Agriculture District, guest quarters and additional dwelling units are prohibited22.

How do septic permits work in Carver County?

Carver County Environmental Services oversees the design, installation, inspection and maintenance of subsurface sewage treatment systems, or SSTS318. In county-zoned areas of Carver County, premises intended for human occupancy must use central public sewage wherever it is available and feasible; otherwise an on-site system must comply with county SSTS rules23. Off-grid occupancy in county-zoned areas still requires sewage treatment through a compliant SSTS or municipal wastewater system24. Ask Environmental Services at (952) 361-1800 which septic construction, repair or replacement permits your project needs; we could not confirm the complete permit requirements18. Before a property transfer closes, a licensed septic inspector must complete a compliance inspection and a passing report must be on file with Carver County; a failed system must be repaired or replaced before transfer or covered by an approved escrow4. Only about 1.6% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, making parcel-level design and inspection especially important25.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Carver County?

In county-zoned areas, Carver County does not allow a garage, tent, trailer, cargo container, recreational camping vehicle or accessory building to serve as a permanent dwelling26. A travel trailer, motor home or similar temporary home may house you while a permanent home is being built only after the required building and SSTS permits are issued, an SSTS and code-compliant water supply are available, and a building permit covers the temporary unit8. The temporary unit must leave within 2 years of the permanent-home permit and no later than 30 days after the permanent home receives its certificate of occupancy8. Emergency occupancy generally lasts less than 180 days and needs approval from Land Management and the Building Official8. A tiny home used as a permanent dwelling in county-zoned Carver County must provide independent living facilities and meet the county minimum of 480 square feet and 20 feet in width, so a smaller or narrower design does not qualify2710. Meeting those dimensions still leaves statewide building-code and local zoning requirements to satisfy28.

Building a home in Carver County: the steps, in order

  1. Identify the zoning authority: Carver County serves its townships, while cities and certain agreement areas have their own authority296.
  2. Ask Land Management to review the site plan, use, setbacks and any agricultural or accessory-building status before design work is final630.
  3. Determine whether public sewer is available and feasible; if not, coordinate a compliant SSTS with Environmental Services233.
  4. Apply before beginning any work covered by the county's broad building-permit requirement1.
  5. If the site is in a county floodplain district, obtain the Zoning Administrator's development permit before covered construction, fill, excavation, septic work or other listed development9.
  6. After permit issuance, schedule each building inspection with Metro West at least 24 hours ahead615.
  7. Complete the final inspection and obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving into the new home12.

What to check before you buy land in Carver County

Confirm the exact zoning authority before relying on county rules, because incorporated cities and certain agreement areas administer their own zoning29. If the property has septic, require the passing compliance report that must be on file before closing, and understand whether a failed system will be repaired or handled through escrow4. Only about 1.6% of Carver County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the proposed house and septic sites part of due diligence25. Splitting a parcel is regulated: in county-zoned Carver County, any change to a lot's size, configuration or shape counts as creating a new lot, and the new lot must meet the county's area, frontage, width, shoreland and septic conditions31. Check the floodplain district before planning construction, grading, fill or septic work9. A new or altered driveway requires approval from the authority controlling the road: the County Engineer for a county road, the Town Board for a township road or MnDOT for a state highway7. The county's effective property-tax rate is about 1%, and the median annual bill is about $4,3803233. Minnesota generally requires notification and a filing fee before constructing a water-supply well; we could not confirm the local administering office, so ask Land Management where to direct the well paperwork346.

Watch-outs

  • Carver County contracts inspections out to Metro West Inspection Services, Inc. rather than doing them in-house, so schedule your inspection with that company at (763) 479-1720, not the county planning office6.
  • Only about 1.6% of Carver County's soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so obtain a parcel-specific evaluation before relying on a proposed septic area25.
  • A passing septic compliance report must be on file before a property transfer closes; a failed system must be repaired or replaced first or addressed through escrow4.

Sources

  1. Building Code Overview Letter, quoted and re-checked
  2. codelibrary.amlegal.com, quoted and re-checked
  3. § 152.035 SSTS Standards, quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic Escrow for Property Transfer, quoted and re-checked
  5. revisor.mn.gov, quoted and re-checked
  6. Carver County Land Management - Building Permits (carvercountymn.gov)
  7. § 152.036 Access Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  8. § 152.030 No Garage, Tent, Trailer, quoted and re-checked
  9. § 152.146 Requirements for All Floodplain Districts, quoted and re-checked
  10. Carver County Code § 152.005, application and jurisdiction, quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Code Overview Letter, quoted and re-checked
  12. Building Code Overview Letter, quoted and re-checked
  13. Carver County Land Management - Zoning (carvercountymn.gov)
  14. Carver County Code § 152.011, fees, quoted and re-checked
  15. Building Code Overview Letter, quoted and re-checked
  16. Building Code Overview Letter, quoted and re-checked
  17. Chanhassen: Zoning Code (Carver County), quoted and re-checked
  18. Carver County Environmental Services - SSTS Program (carvercountymn.gov)
  19. § 152.034 Setbacks, quoted and re-checked
  20. § 152.037 Height Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  21. § 152.033 Lot Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  22. § 152.073 Permitted Accessory Uses and Structures, quoted and re-checked
  23. § 152.121 Sewage Disposal Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  24. § 152.035 SSTS Standards, quoted and re-checked
  25. 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
  26. § 152.030 No Garage, Tent, Trailer, quoted and re-checked
  27. Carver County Code § 152.005, application and jurisdiction, quoted and re-checked
  28. Tiny Houses and the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. § 152.005 Application and Jurisdiction, quoted and re-checked
  30. § 152.073(B) Agricultural Structures, quoted and re-checked
  31. § 152.033 Lot Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  32. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  34. 2025 Minnesota Statutes, section 103I.205: Well Construction (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 13, 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 5 of its 6 neighbors, Carver County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleCarver CountyHennepin CountyScott CountyMcLeod CountyWright CountyLe Sueur CountySibley County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredLimitedRequired
County zoningYesNoYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Env. ServicesCounty Env. HealthCounty Env. ServicesCounty Env. ServicesCounty Env. Health OfficeCounty Env. ServicesCounty Zoning Dept.

County locator

Carver County in Minnesota

49
County map
Carver County highlighted among the Minnesota counties · colored by Index score

How Carver County scores

Seclusion19100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency58100% ev.
Admin Boringness43100% ev.
Durability72100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost53100% 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 →

$496kTypical home
1%Property tax
$8,140Land / acre
31.9"Annual rain
8.5% of yrsSevere drought
2.2 / yr (+2.1)Mid-century 100°F days
16.6 daysMid-century dry spell
1.79" (+5.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.7×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,337Home insurance / yr
3.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.41%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
90,451People within 30 min
4,729,369People within 2 hr
148,637Radius comparison (15 mi)
313.7People / sq mi
1.9%Federal land
96.2%Land at 15% slope or less
1.6%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
3,417 acWorkable land screen
23%Wooded land
54.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac
45°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Carver 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: Benton Township · Camden Township · Dahlgren Township · Hamburg · Hancock Township · Hollywood Township · Laketown Township · New Germany · San Francisco Township · Waconia Township · Watertown Township · Young America Township

Answers from the rulebook for Carver County

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

Carver County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, occupancy/use changes, and regulated gas, mechanical, plumbing, or other equipment work in county-administered areas.

    • The source states that anyone intending to perform the listed work must apply before work.
    • The source lists exemptions for specified work, including one-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet, with separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical rules.
    • City jurisdictions may administer their own permits.

    accessory structure exemption threshold: <= 200 square feet (Only for the listed one-story detached accessory structures and subject to other permit requirements.)

    “Anyone intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy/use of a building must apply for a building permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building-code administration under Carver County building-permit materials for county-administered areas.

    • The overview identifies the 2015 Minnesota State Building Code as the current model building code in that document.
    • Municipal jurisdictions may administer building permits within city jurisdictions.

    building code edition: 2015 Minnesota State Building Code

    “Current Model Building Code 2015 Minnesota State Building Code”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted building work subject to Carver County building-code administration.

    • Inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
    • The permit applicant must schedule inspections and make work accessible and exposed.
    • A reinspection fee may apply if work is not ready.

    minimum inspection notice: >= 24 hours (Same-day scheduling may be possible but is not guaranteed.)

    “All inspections must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New homes in county-administered building-code areas.

    • A final inspection must be completed before occupancy or use.
    • The rule includes new homes used as sales offices and model homes.
    “A final inspection must be completed and a Certificate of Occupancy issued prior to anyone occupying or using a new home.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within Carver County outside incorporated cities and specified orderly-annexation or joint-powers areas.

    • The county zoning chapter does not apply within incorporated cities or areas with another documented zoning authority.
    • The current code identifies Ordinance 108-2024 as an amendment date.
    “The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all land within the county which is not within the boundaries of an incorporated city or within any orderly annexation area where the city and township and county have a separate agreement concerning zoning within the orderly annexation area, or where a joint powers agreement or similar agreement provides for another zoning authority.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    County aggregate of zoning administration across unincorporated county land and incorporated municipalities.

    • Carver County zoning applies in its unincorporated jurisdictional area; incorporated cities and areas with another zoning authority may apply their own rules.
    • The county code states that its chapter applies to land outside incorporated cities and certain other areas.
    “The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all land within the county which is not within the boundaries of an incorporated city or within any orderly annexation area where the city and township and county have a separate agreement concerning zoning within the orderly annexation area, or where a joint powers agreement or similar agreement provides for another zoning authority.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    All dwellings, including manufactured homes, within the geographic jurisdiction of Carver County Chapter 152.

    • Chapter 152 applies to county land outside incorporated cities and specified orderly-annexation or joint-powers areas.
    • The dwelling must also provide complete independent living facilities for residential occupancy.

    minimum dwelling area: >= 480 square feet · minimum dwelling width: >= 20 feet

    “All dwellings, including manufactured homes, shall have a minimum of at least 480 square feet and a minimum width of 20 feet.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    New lots and dwelling lots in county-zoned unincorporated areas.

    • The 1/40 provision requires 1.5 acres in non-shoreland and specified shoreland, and 2 acres on natural-environment lakes.
    • Density options and conditional uses require 2.5 acres unless a permit provision specifies otherwise.
    • Agriculture-only reasonable-use parcels require at least 20 acres.
    • Additional frontage, width, depth, shoreland, SSTS, and prime-agricultural-land conditions apply.

    minimum lot area under 1/40, non-shoreland: >= 1.5 acres · minimum lot area under 1/40, natural-environment-lake shoreland: >= 2 acres · minimum lot area under density options and conditional uses: >= 2.5 acres (Unless a different size is specified in permit requirements.)

    “Lots for a dwelling unit under the density options and all conditional use provisions shall have the following minimum lot size: 2½ acres unless a different size is specified in the requirements for a permit.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Structures and specified signs and parking areas in county-zoned unincorporated areas.

    • Exemptions include specified projections, certain yard lights and signs, certain front-yard balconies and ground-level features, and certain rear-yard recreation equipment, parking, driveways, and patios.
    • Wetland, SSTS, feedlot, water/wetland, and sign regulations may impose additional setbacks.
    • Front reductions require demonstrated need and a road-authority statement.

    side lot line setback: 15 feet · rear lot line setback: 30 feet · bluff impact-zone setback: 50 feet (100 feet for actively eroding bluffs.)

    “Side Lot Line Setbacks | All Districts | 15 feet”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in county-zoned unincorporated areas.

    • Specified exceptions may reach 100 feet, including belfries, church spires and steeples, cooling towers, flagpoles, smokestacks, water towers, farm accessory structures, and similar structures.
    • Structures over 100 feet require a conditional use permit.
    • Structures of 200 feet or more must follow cited Minnesota Rules procedures.

    maximum general structure height: 35 feet (Specified exceptions may reach 100 feet.) · maximum height for listed exceptions: 100 feet (Structures over 100 feet require a CUP.)

    “All structures shall have a maximum height of 35 feet except those structures specifically excepted below and subject to the provisions thereof.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Travel trailers, motor homes, recreational camping vehicles, and similar temporary dwellings.

    • Permanent dwelling use is prohibited.
    • Temporary home occupancy requires building and SSTS permits for the permanent home, a building permit for the temporary home, an SSTS before occupancy, state-code-compliant water supply, removal within two years of the permanent-home permit, and removal within 30 days after the permanent home's certificate of occupancy.
    • Emergency travel-trailer or motor-home occupancy generally requires an emergency situation typically under 180 days and Department and Building Official approval.

    temporary-home removal period: 2 years (From issuance of the permanent-home building permit.) · emergency temporary occupancy period: < 180 days (The code says typically less than 180 days.)

    “A travel trailer, motor home or similar dwelling is needed in an emergency situation (such as, fire, tornado) and when the length of time the temporary home will be needed would typically be less than 180 days;”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary occupancy involving tents, trailers, recreational camping vehicles, or similar temporary dwellings.

    • Permanent dwelling use is prohibited for the listed structures.
    • Temporary occupancy is allowed only under Chapter 152 standards; the opened provisions specifically address temporary homes and emergency dwellings.
    “No garage, tent, trailer or cargo container, recreational camping vehicle, or accessory buildings shall at any time be used as a permanent dwelling unit. Temporary occupancy shall only be allowed in accordance with the standards of this chapter.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    A tiny home intended for use as a permanent dwelling unit in land governed by Carver County Chapter 152.

    • The county zoning chapter applies outside incorporated cities and specified orderly-annexation or joint-powers areas.
    • If treated as a dwelling, the structure must provide complete independent living facilities and meet the county minimum dwelling size and width requirements.
    • Trailers, recreational camping vehicles, tents, cargo containers, garages, and accessory buildings may not be used as permanent dwelling units.
    • Temporary occupancy is allowed only under the standards of Chapter 152.

    minimum dwelling area: >= 480 square feet · minimum dwelling width: >= 20 feet

    “DWELLING UNIT. A building or single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation, occupied or intended to be occupied for residential purposes by a single family, but not including motels, hotels, nursing homes, boarding houses, trailers, tents or cabins. All dwellings, including manufactured homes, shall have a minimum of at least 480 square feet and a minimum width of 20 feet.”
  • Accessory dwellingsProhibited

    Guest quarters and additional dwelling units in Carver County Agriculture District zoning

    • The prohibition applies within the Agriculture District.
    • Accessory structures remain subject to zoning-compliance certification when required by the State Building Code or another county approval.
    • The quoted section contains later square-footage exceptions for a pre-August 1, 2021 conditional use permit or variance, but those exceptions concern accessory-structure square footage and do not state an exception to the express prohibition on guest quarters or additional dwelling units.
    “Guest quarters and/or additional dwelling units are strictly prohibited.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    County SSTS oversight and county ordinance administration.

    • Carver County Code Chapter 52 is cross-referenced for SSTS requirements.
    • Municipal wastewater treatment is an alternative to an SSTS.
    “This separation shall be demonstrated by the submission of soil borings, provided by a licensed SSTS designer and verified by the Environmental Services Department, identifying a primary and alternate SSTS site as required in Chapter 52 of this code of ordinances.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems in Carver County during property sales or transfers

    • A compliance inspection by a licensed septic inspector is required before property transfer.
    • The SSTS status must be disclosed by the seller to the buyer.
    • A passing compliance inspection report must be on file with Carver County before closing.
    • If the inspection indicates a failed septic system, the system must be repaired or replaced before transfer, or escrow must be established.
    • Escrow funds are paid to an SSTS contractor upon final inspection and issuance of a certificate of compliance; costs exceeding the escrow deposit are the responsibility of the buyer and seller.
    “This ordinance requires that all property sales/transfers must have a passing compliance inspection report on file with Carver County prior to closing. If the compliance inspection report indicates a failed septic system, then the system must either be replaced/repaired prior to sale/transfer OR escrow must be placed that meets the following requirements:”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Sanitation for human occupancy, habitation, or activity outside municipal wastewater treatment.

    • The alternative must comply with Carver County Chapter 52 SSTS requirements.
    • Municipal wastewater treatment is an expressly stated alternative.
    “All sewage generated by human occupancy, habitation or activity shall be properly managed in accordance with Chapter 52 of this code of ordinances or be treated in a municipal wastewater treatment system.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Premises intended for human occupancy governed by Carver County Chapter 152

    • Central public sewage collection and treatment must be used wherever available and feasible.
    • If central public sewage is unavailable or infeasible, an on-site sewage treatment system may be used, but it must conform to Chapter 52.
    • This county zoning-code claim is limited to county zoning jurisdiction; incorporated municipalities may impose their own utility rules.
    “Any premises intended for human occupancy shall be provided with an adequate method of sewage treatment, as follows: central public sewage collection and treatment shall be used wherever available and feasible; all on-site sewage treatment systems shall conform with Chapter 52 of this code of ordinances.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural structures in the Carver County Agriculture District

    • The structure must relate to commercial agricultural activities.
    • The parcel must be 20 acres or more.
    • The structure must be exempt from the State Building Code.
    • Applicants must demonstrate significant agricultural activity directly correlating to the structure's size and use.
    • Construction requires a certificate of zoning compliance from the Department or designated individual.
    • Structures related to animal agriculture require prior approval by the Feedlot Administrator or designated individual.

    minimum parcel area: >= 20 acres

    “Agricultural structures. The structure must be related to the conduct of commercial agricultural activities on parcels of 20 acres or more and must be exempt from the State Building Code.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Creation or alteration of lots in county-zoned unincorporated areas.

    • A new lot must conform to reasonable-use, minimum-area, frontage, width, depth, ratio, shoreland, SSTS, and prime-agricultural-land conditions.
    • The code treats an action changing lot size, configuration, or shape as creating a new lot, with exceptions for legal-description discrepancies or actual occupation.
    “A new lot shall not be created unless it conforms to all of the following requirements. Any action that changes the size, configuration, or shape of a lot is considered to be creating a new lot.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New or altered access to county, state, or township roads in county-zoned unincorporated areas.

    • State-highway access requires a MnDOT permit.
    • County-road access requires a County Engineer permit.
    • Township-road driveway access requires a Town Board permit and township standards.
    • Field-access exceptions and alternative access-separation provisions apply.

    township-road access separation: 100 feet (An access not meeting the standard may be permitted when recorded lot frontage is insufficient.)

    “Authorization to construct or alter an access to a county road shall consist of a permit signed by the County Engineer or authorized representative. No access shall be constructed or altered to a county road until such permit has been obtained.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development within Carver County floodplain districts

    • A permit from the Zoning Administrator is required before erection, addition, modification, rehabilitation, or alteration of a building or structure, except the section specifically addresses normal maintenance and repair when it constitutes a substantial improvement.
    • A permit is also required before construction of a dam, on-site septic system, or non-farm fence; change or extension of a nonconforming use; repair of flood-damaged or otherwise damaged structures; placement of fill, excavation, or storage of materials or equipment; relocation or alteration of a watercourse unless a public waters work permit has been applied for; and any other development defined in the chapter.
    • All new construction and substantial improvements must be anchored against flotation, collapse, or lateral movement; use flood-damage-resistant materials and utility equipment; minimize flood damage through construction methods; and locate or design service facilities to prevent floodwater entry or accumulation.
    “Permit required. A permit must be obtained from the Zoning Administrator to verify if a development meets all applicable standards outlined in this chapter prior to conducting the following activities:”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Certificate of zoning compliance fees, application fees, permit fees, and other official-control fees under Carver County Chapter 152.

    • Amounts are established by the Carver County Fee Schedule adopted by the County Board of Commissioners.
    • Fees are collected by the Department and deposited with the county for credit to general revenue funds.
    • Chapter 152's geographic application excludes incorporated cities and specified orderly-annexation or joint-powers areas.
    “Certificate of zoning compliance fees, application fees, permit fees and any other fees relating to official control measures shall be established by the Carver County Fee Schedule as adopted by the County Board of Commissioners.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County-administered building permits.

    • Applications must be complete, include required plans and specifications, and be paid within 180 days or may expire as abandoned.
    • Permits may expire after 180 days of suspension, abandonment, or failure to commence; renewal costs half the original permit fee plus a $5 state surcharge.
    • Plan changes require an application and two copies of revised plans.

    application abandonment period: 180 days (Good-faith extensions may be requested in writing with justifiable cause.) · permit inactivity or commencement period: 180 days (Extensions may be granted in writing for justifiable cause.)

    “Applications received that are not complete or completed applications that are not paid for at the Carver County Land Management Department within 180 days after being received shall be considered abandoned and will expire by limitation.”

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
    • Available (with conditions) — An owner of residential real estate performing residential building or improvement work.
      “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.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Minnesota DNR model floodplain ordinance district classifications, not every local zoning ordinance.

    • The model ordinance identifies floodway, flood fringe, and A Zones (general floodplain) as separate districts.
    • The model ordinance is a model resource; local adoption and local zoning maps determine applicability.
    • This claim does not establish that every Minnesota jurisdiction uses these districts.
    “This model includes the three primary types of floodplain districts: Floodway, Flood Fringe, and General Floodplain. As presented, it incorporates ordinance provisions for a community that has all three districts present on their Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Local communities are encouraged to work with DNR to tailor the language based on the flood districts present in the community.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    New manufactured homes installed for occupancy statewide in Minnesota

    • Inspection is required under Federal Installation Standards Programs, CFR 3285 and 3286.
    • Manufactured-home alterations require documentation submitted for review to the Department of Labor and Industry or the local authority having jurisdiction before work begins.
    • Local building officials and local code enforcement may apply depending on the municipality.
    “All new manufactured homes installed in Minnesota for occupancy are required to be inspected according to the Federal Installation Standards Programs, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3285 and 3286.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of most Minnesota SSTS, with construction permits issued by the applicable county, city, or township; large SSTS require MPCA permitting.

    • Local authority and local ordinance requirements vary.
    • Large SSTS designed for a flow greater than 10,000 gallons per day must be permitted by MPCA.
    • Local government units may adopt stricter requirements.

    large SSTS design flow: > 10000 gallons per day (Systems at or below this threshold are generally reviewed and permitted by counties, cities, or townships.)

    “Counties, cities, and townships review designs and issue construction permits for most SSTS in Minnesota, but large sub-surface sewage treatment systems (LSTS) — designed to manage a flow of greater than 10,000 gallons a day — must be permitted by the MPCA”
  • 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 Carver 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.

  • Lot coverage
  • 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 Carver County, Minnesota

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

Carver County scores 49/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: about 90,451 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Carver County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Carver County Environmental Services - SSTS. 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.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Carver County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Carver County is allowed on a temporary basis only: Travel trailers, motor homes, recreational camping vehicles, and similar temporary dwellings. Permanent dwelling use is prohibited. Temporary home occupancy requires building and SSTS permits for the permanent home, a building permit for the temporary home, an SSTS before occupancy, state-code-compliant water supply, removal within two years of the permanent-home permit, and removal within 30 days after the permanent home's certificate of occupancy. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Carver County, Minnesota?

Land in Carver County runs about $8,140 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Carver County?

Carver County gets about 31.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.5% of years.

How remote is Carver County?

A representative private-land location has about 90,451 people within a 30-minute drive and 4,729,369 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 Carver compares in Minnesota

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