Bolthole Index

Fillmore County, Minnesota

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

74Index Score / 100
#13 of 87 in Minnesota

Unincorporated Fillmore County, Minnesota requires a county zoning permit before covered construction; a separate structural building permit depends on the enforcing jurisdiction12. Start with Fillmore County Land Use for zoning and septic, and ask which building official serves the parcel3. County zoning generally stops at city limits, township zoning can add approval requirements, and a qualifying city or township program may administer septic locally456.

At a glance

Zoning permit
Required before covered construction in county-regulated areas7
Zoning
County zoning applies outside cities; township approval may also apply89
Septic
County Land Use oversees septic; a qualifying city or township program may administer locally1011
Permanent RV living
Prohibited where the county zoning ordinance applies12
Tiny home
Dwelling rules apply; RA and R-1 require at least 20 feet of width131415
Owner-builder
A qualifying owner-builder has a contractor-license exemption, not a permit exemption16
Agricultural exception
Portable agricultural buildings on skids have a narrow permit exception17
Lot standards
Agricultural dwellings need 2.5 buildable acres; district and overlay rules also apply1819

Who to call

Building permits

Fillmore County Land Use Department

County land-use permits, planning and zoning, floodplain and shoreland rules, septic systems and feedlots

507-765-3325

Courthouse, 101 Fillmore Street PO Box 466 Preston, MN 55965

Planning & zoning

Fillmore County Land Use Department

Published application, permit-duration, setback and septic guidance

507-765-3325

101 Fillmore Street Preston, MN 55965

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

Off-grid gear

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

Fillmore County requires a zoning or land-use permit before covered construction where the county ordinance applies1. Minnesota's State Building Code applies statewide to buildings governed by the code, but local enforcement varies; a separate structural building permit comes from the building official where the code is administered202. Remodeling or repair and specified concrete or asphalt work are exempt from the county zoning permit, as are portable agricultural buildings on skids; the agricultural exception does not cover every farm building or dwelling121. Significant construction must begin within one year and the project must be ready for its permitted purpose within two years; otherwise the permit becomes void and reapplication requires a 90-day wait1. A qualifying owner-builder has a contractor-license exemption, not a permit exemption, and construction for resale or speculation does not qualify22.

Who issues building permits in Fillmore County, Minnesota?

Start with the Fillmore County Land Use Department at the courthouse in Preston, 507-765-3325, for county zoning and land-use permits3. Land Use also oversees county floodplain, shoreland and septic matters; we could not confirm a countywide structural building-inspection office, so ask Land Use which building official serves the parcel3. Inside city limits, ask the city about building permits and zoning; county zoning applies there only if the municipality adopts the county ordinance, while county septic administration remains relevant unless a qualifying local program applies46. County zoning applications require scaled plans, information and fees, and may be mailed or hand-delivered rather than submitted online23. Complete ordinary applications generally take 1–2 days; conditional-use permits and variances typically need 60 days23. Credit and debit cards are not accepted24. The County Board adopts the fee schedule, and it is posted in the Zoning Administrator's office; the fee is due when the application is submitted25. The schedule we located is labeled 2022 and lists a $350 septic (SSTS) permit fee for standard, mound, holding-tank and gray-water systems, so confirm current amounts with Land Use2627. Starting work before the required zoning permit adds a County Board penalty to the normal fee28.

Does Fillmore County have zoning?

Fillmore County zoning applies outside incorporated municipalities and inside municipalities that adopt the county ordinance4. A township with its own zoning must supply approval documentation before the county application is complete5. The official map held by the County Auditor and Zoning Administrator determines the parcel's district and overlays19.

Agricultural dwellings need at least 2.5 buildable acres and cannot occupy wetlands, floodplain or poorly drained areas18. RA lots need at least one acre and 150 feet of width at the front building line, must front a public road, and may be required to be larger for water treatment and safety; RA setbacks are 30 feet front and 10 feet side and rear29. New dwellings must be at least 1,000 feet from specified quarry or feedlot boundaries30. R-1 single-family lots need 10,000 square feet; I-1 industrial lots need one acre3132. B-1 permitted uses have no base minimum lot area, frontage or yards, but overlay standards apply; shoreland lot area follows the underlying district3334.

Agricultural setbacks include 73 feet from road center, 40 feet from right-of-way and 10 feet from property lines; R-1 setbacks are 30 feet front and 10 feet side and rear3536. Residential accessory buildings are limited to 10% lot coverage, one story and 15 feet high; R-1 dwellings have a 35-foot height limit373839.

How do septic permits work in Fillmore County?

Fillmore County Land Use oversees septic systems; cities and townships may administer qualifying programs at least as stringent as the county's36. New and replacement systems need a septic construction permit before installation and an independent compliance inspection; bedroom-addition inspections apply where the local authority issues permits for those additions4041.

In the Shoreland Overlay District, a certificate of inspection from a certified installer is required before a building-permit, variance or rezoning application and before recording a transfer of developed property; the county can do the inspection at the owner's option for a County Board fee, and a nonconforming system must be corrected within 90 days4243. Shoreland development must use public sewer where available; private systems must meet or exceed MPCA standards44. Planned unit developments must connect to public water and sewer when available, otherwise using compliant centralized on-site systems45. Manufactured-home parks need water and sewer systems meeting state standards46. Only 9.9% of county soils lack severe limitations for conventional drain fields, so establish septic feasibility before committing to a homesite47.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Fillmore County?

Trailers and recreational camping vehicles cannot be permanent dwellings where the Fillmore County zoning ordinance applies48. In the parts of the county where bluffs are found, temporary placement is allowed for one week, and the same one-week limit applies in a Bluff Impact Zone4950. Regulated campgrounds require a conditional-use permit and must close at least December through February, with no RV, tent or camping-cabin occupancy during closure51. Vehicles on campsites, even for months at a time, must keep their wheels and current licenses and stay road-ready, and wastewater may not go on the ground52. We could not confirm a general private-parcel temporary-camping rule outside those settings; ask Land Use before planning to live in an RV while building3.

Minnesota treats a tiny house of 400 square feet or less as a dwelling subject to the State Building Code and local zoning53. Fillmore County evaluates tiny homes used for habitation under dwelling rules; Agricultural District homes need 2.5 buildable acres, and R-1 homes must meet that district's standards1314. RA and R-1 dwellings must be at least 20 feet wide; that is a width rule, not a minimum floor area, and manufactured homes are excepted from the permanent-foundation requirement15. Manufactured homes in RA and R-1 also need 20 feet of width54. Manufactured-home parks require R-1 zoning and a conditional-use permit; manufactured-home site coverage is limited to 50%5556.

What are the steps to build a home in Fillmore County?

  1. Ask Land Use to identify the mapped district, overlays and any required township zoning approval195.
  1. Check buildable area, lot width, setbacks, coverage and dwelling dimensions before choosing a home design1830365715.
  1. Ask which building official issues any structural building permit and performs applicable building-code inspections258.
  1. Establish septic feasibility, check shoreland sewer availability and obtain septic construction approval before installation4044.
  1. Resolve access with the road authority: county-road drives require county review, R-1 access drives may be no wider than 22 feet, and new or changed state-highway access needs a MnDOT permit596061.
  1. Submit scaled plans and current fees for the county zoning permit2326.
  1. Obtain zoning-administrator approval before floodplain development, including septic systems, fill or excavation62.

What should you check before buying land in Fillmore County?

Confirm township approvals and mapped overlays before buying unincorporated Fillmore County land519. Agricultural land needs buildable acreage outside wetlands, floodplain and poorly drained areas, plus bluffland, shoreland and Decorah Shale review; acreage alone does not establish a usable homesite18. RA and R-1 new dwellings also face quarry and feedlot separation rules3031. R-1 subdivisions are conditional uses, so ask Land Use about approval before relying on a proposed lot split63.

Check septic feasibility and shoreland inspection requirements before closing4742. Confirm legal access: county-road drives require county review, while state-highway access needs MnDOT approval5961. Floodplain approval extends beyond buildings to fill, excavation, storage and utilities6264. Minnesota generally requires a well notification and filing fee before construction, rather than a general well-construction permit, unless an exception applies65. The county's effective property-tax rate is about 0.9%, and its median annual bill is about $1,9326667.

Watch-outs

  • Township zoning approval may be required before a Fillmore County zoning-permit application is complete5.
  • Permanent RV dwelling use is prohibited under county zoning, temporary placement where bluffs are found is limited to one week, and regulated campgrounds must close at least December through February484951.
  • RA and R-1 dwellings must be at least 20 feet wide, which can rule out a narrow tiny-home design15.
  • We could not confirm a countywide structural-inspection or certificate-of-occupancy authority; ask Land Use which building official serves the parcel3.

Sources

  1. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  2. Minnesota Administrative Rules, Part 1300.0120 — Permits (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  3. Fillmore County Land Use Department (co.fillmore.mn.us)
  4. Land Use, quoted and re-checked
  5. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  6. Land Use, quoted and re-checked
  7. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  8. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  9. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  10. Fillmore County Land Use, quoted and re-checked
  11. Minnesota Rules 7082.0500: Permit Program for SSTS, quoted and re-checked
  12. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  13. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  14. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  15. co.fillmore.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  16. revisor.mn.gov (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. co.fillmore.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  18. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  19. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  20. revisor.mn.gov, quoted and re-checked
  21. co.fillmore.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  22. revisor.mn.gov, quoted and re-checked
  23. Zoning FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  24. Fillmore County Land Use Department (co.fillmore.mn.us)
  25. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  26. 2022 Proposed Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  27. 2022 Proposed Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  28. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  29. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  30. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  31. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  32. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  33. co.fillmore.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  34. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  35. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  36. co.fillmore.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  37. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  38. co.fillmore.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  39. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  40. Minnesota Rules 7082.0500: Permit Program for SSTS, quoted and re-checked
  41. Minnesota Rules 7082.0700: Inspection Program for SSTS, quoted and re-checked
  42. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  43. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  44. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  45. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  46. co.fillmore.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  47. 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
  48. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  49. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  50. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  51. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  52. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  53. Tiny Houses and the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  54. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  55. co.fillmore.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  56. co.fillmore.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  57. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  58. 1300.0210 INSPECTIONS (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  59. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  60. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  61. Access / Driveway Permit (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  62. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  63. co.fillmore.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  64. Fillmore County Land Use, quoted and re-checked
  65. 2025 Minnesota Statutes, section 103I.205: Well Construction (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  66. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  67. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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 all 6 of its neighbors, Fillmore County has countywide zoning.

RuleFillmore CountyOlmsted CountyWinona CountyHouston CountyMower CountyWabasha CountyDodge County
Building permitLimitedRequiredLimitedLimitedLimitedRequiredLimited
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty ZoningCounty InspectionsCounty Planning & Env. ServicesCounty Env. Services Dept.County Env. ServicesCounty Planning & ZoningCounty Env. Services Dept.

County locator

Fillmore County in Minnesota

74
County map
Fillmore County highlighted among the Minnesota counties · colored by Index score

How Fillmore County scores

Seclusion59100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency63100% ev.
Admin Boringness56100% ev.
Durability62100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost66100% 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 →

$292kTypical home
0.9%Property tax
$5,919Land / acre
36.8"Annual rain
5.2% of yrsSevere drought
1.5 / yr (+1.5)Mid-century 100°F days
15.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.9" (+13%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.75×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,748Home insurance / yr
4% / yrInsurance growth
0.51%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
19,910People within 30 min
1,266,858People within 2 hr
18,097Radius comparison (15 mi)
25People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
86.1%Land at 15% slope or less
9.9%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
49,328 acWorkable land screen
20.7%Wooded land
45.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
44.7°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Fillmore 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: Amherst Township · Arendahl Township · Beaver Township · Bloomfield Township · Bristol Township · Canton · Canton Township · Carimona Township · Carrolton Township · Chatfield · Chatfield Township · Fillmore Township · Forestville Township · Fountain · Fountain Township · Harmony · Harmony Township · Holt Township · Lanesboro · Mabel · Newburg Township · Norway Township · Ostrander · Peterson · Pilot Mound Township · Preble Township · Preston Township · Rushford · Rushford Village · Spring Valley · Spring Valley Township · Sumner Township · Whalan · Wykoff · York Township

Answers from the rulebook for Fillmore County

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

Fillmore County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Buildings, structures, and uses in areas regulated by the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance.

    • A zoning permit is required before erecting, installing, altering, converting, moving, or demolishing covered structures.
    • The ordinance terms must be met before issuance.
    • Applications require plans, required information, fees, and late fees if applicable.
    • Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids are exempt from a building permit under the stated exception.
    “A zoning permit shall be obtained prior to erecting, installing, altering, converting, moving any building or structure or part thereof, or demolition of any historically significant structure, within areas regulated by this Ordinance in Fillmore County.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Buildings and structures within areas regulated by the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance.
      “A zoning permit shall be obtained prior to erecting, installing, altering, converting, moving any building or structure or part thereof, or demolition of any historically significant structure, within areas regulated by this Ordinance in Fillmore County. Before a zoning permit is issued, the terms of this Ordinance shall be met.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Areas regulated by the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, including county floodplain, shoreland, septic, and feedlot controls.

    • The ordinance expressly recognizes township zoning ordinances and does not create a county duty to enforce township zoning.
    “The jurisdiction of this Ordinance shall apply to all the area of Fillmore County outside the incorporated limits of municipalities, except for those incorporated municipalities who adopt the County Zoning Ordinance stating the regulations set forth in this document apply within their incorporated boundaries.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Land, structures, and waters in Fillmore County outside incorporated municipal limits, except incorporated municipalities that adopt the county ordinance.
      “The jurisdiction of this Ordinance shall apply to all the area of Fillmore County outside the incorporated limits of municipalities, except for those incorporated municipalities who adopt the County Zoning Ordinance stating the regulations set forth in this document apply within their incorporated boundaries.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate conclusion for Fillmore County: county zoning applies in county-regulated areas, while township and municipal zoning may independently apply.

    • For townships with their own zoning ordinances, the county application is incomplete until township approval documentation is provided.
    • The ordinance states that county application requirements do not imply a county duty to enforce township zoning.
    “For those townships which have enacted Zoning Ordinances, an application is not complete until the applicant provides a township permit, resolution or other documentation which certifies that the township has approved the proposed project.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — County aggregate of zoning controls administered by the county and any township or municipal zoning authorities; the county ordinance expressly requires township documentation where a township has enacted zoning.
      “For those townships which have enacted Zoning Ordinances, an application is not complete until the applicant provides a township permit, resolution or other documentation which certifies that the township has approved the application.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Fillmore County zoning districts and overlay districts.

    • Dimensional and use rules vary by district and overlay.
    • The official zoning map maintained by the County Auditor and Zoning Administrator is the final authority for current zoning status.
    “For purposes of this Ordinance, Fillmore County is hereby divided into the following Zoning Districts:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — County zoning districts and overlay districts listed in the 2024 ordinance.
      “SECTION 6 - Zoning Districts and Provisions [...] 604 - Agricultural District (A) [...] 610 - Flood Plain District (FP) [...] 614 - Decorah Shale (DS)”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Dwellings in the RA and R-1 districts.

    • The located dimensional rule is a minimum width, not a minimum floor-area requirement.
    • Manufactured homes are excepted from the permanent-foundation requirement.

    minimum dwelling width: >= 20 feet (RA and R-1 districts)

    “All dwellings in the RA and R-1 districts shall have a minimum width of twenty (20) feet”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lots in the Single and Two-Family Residential (R-1) District and other districts whose standards are separately stated.

    • The cited standards apply to R-1 residential lots.
    • Other districts and overlays may impose different standards.

    single-family minimum lot area: >= 10000 square feet · two-family minimum lot area: >= 15000 square feet

    “The minimum lot area shall be ten thousand (10,000) square feet for single and fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet for two family residences.”
    12 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Dwellings in Fillmore County's Agricultural (Ag) District.
      “Dwellings and accessory structures shall not be permitted in areas classified as wetlands, floodplain, and other areas of poor drainage. All dwellings constructed must adhere to the Bluffland and Shoreland Ordinances and be reviewed for Decorah Shale Outcroppings. There shall be a minimum buildable lot size of 2.5 acres or more.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Residential Agricultural District (RA) lots under Fillmore County zoning, primarily in unincorporated areas.
      “Each lot shall have an area of not less than one (1) acre, except when additional lot area is required as determined by the County Planning Commission to meet water treatment and safety standards.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Single and Two-Family Residential District (R-1) lots under Fillmore County zoning.
      “The minimum lot area shall be ten thousand (10,000) square feet for single and fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet for two family residences. b. The minimum lot area shall be fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet, plus two thousand (2,000) square feet per dwelling multi-family structures that shall apply to each unit above two.”
    • None — Permitted uses in Fillmore County's General Commercial (B-1) District.
      “For all permitted uses in the B-1 District there are no minimum requirements for front, side or rear yards, lot coverage, lot area or frontage. However, if such use falls within any overlay district, the performance standards in the following sections will apply:”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lots within Fillmore County's Shoreland (SH) District.
      “1) Lot Area-Refer to the Underlying District. 2) Lot Width for Public Waters by Classification (in feet).”
    • Specified — Dwellings in the Agricultural District.
      “There shall be a minimum buildable lot size of 2.5 acres or more.”
    • Specified — Lots in the Fillmore County Residential Agricultural District, which the ordinance describes as occurring in unincorporated areas.
      “5) Lot Area Regulations a. Each lot shall have an area of not less than one (1) acre, except when additional lot area is required as determined by the County Planning Commission to meet water treatment and safety standards. 6) Lot Width Regulations a. Each lot shall have a minimum width of one hundred fifty (150) feet at the front building line.”
    • None — Permitted uses in the Fillmore County General Commercial District (B-1), subject to applicable overlay-district standards.
      “2) Front, Side and Rear Yard Regulations, Lot Coverage, Lot Area, and Frontage. For all permitted uses in the B-1 District there are no minimum requirements for front, side or rear yards, lot coverage, lot area or frontage. However, if such use falls within any overlay district, the performance standards in the following sections will apply: a. Flood Plain - Section 610 b. Scenic Trail - Section 611 c. Shoreland - Section 612 d. Bluffland – Section 613 e. Decorah Shale – Section 614”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lots in the Fillmore County Shoreland District; lot-area standards depend on the underlying zoning district.
      “Lot Area-Refer to the Underlying District.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Residential lot areas in the county R-1 district.
      “The minimum lot area shall be ten thousand (10,000) square feet for single and fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet for two family residences.”
    • None — Permitted uses in the General Commercial District (B-1), subject to applicable overlay districts.
      “For all permitted uses in the B-1 District there are no minimum requirements for front, side or rear yards, lot coverage, lot area or frontage. However, if such use falls within any overlay district, the performance standards in the following sections will apply:”
    • Specified — General Industrial District (I-1) lots under Fillmore County zoning.
      “4) Lot Area and Width Regulations a. The minimum lot area shall be one acre.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Setbacks under county zoning districts, including Agricultural and R-1 standards.

    • Agricultural District structures must be 73 feet from the center of a road and 10 feet from a property line.
    • R-1 standards include 30-foot front, 10-foot side, and 10-foot rear setbacks.
    • Overlay districts can impose additional standards.

    Agricultural District road setback: 73 feet from road center · Agricultural District property-line setback: 10 feet · R-1 front setback: >= 30 feet · R-1 side setback: >= 10 feet · R-1 rear setback: >= 10 feet

    “There shall be a minimum interior side yard setback of ten (10) feet. There shall be a rear yard of not less than ten (10) feet in depth.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Structures and dwellings in county zoning districts, with district-specific setbacks.
      “In the Agricultural District, all structures must be setback 73 feet from the center of any road and 10 feet from any property line.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Residential setbacks in the county R-1 district, with separate Agricultural District and overlay standards.
      “A minimum front yard depth of not less than thirty (30) feet shall be provided to the edge of any street lot line or road right-of-way. No structure shall be allowed within thirty (30) feet of any public road right of way.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lot coverage in Fillmore County zoning districts.

    • In the B-1 district, the ordinance states there are no minimum requirements for lot coverage for permitted uses.
    • Accessory buildings in residential districts may occupy no more than 10 percent of the lot area.
    • Overlay districts may impose additional standards.

    residential accessory-building lot coverage: <= 10 percent (Residential districts)

    “No accessory building shall exceed one (1) story or fifteen (15) feet in height and shall not occupy more than ten (10) percent of the lot area.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Accessory buildings in residential districts governed by the county ordinance.
      “No accessory building shall exceed one (1) story or fifteen (15) feet in height and shall not occupy more than ten (10) percent of the lot area.”
    • Specified — Manufactured-home park lots.
      “The area occupied by a manufactured home shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total area of a manufactured home site; land may be occupied by a manufactured home, a vehicle, a building, a cabana, a carport, an awning, and storage closet.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lot-coverage controls for manufactured-home sites and accessory buildings.
      “The area occupied by a manufactured home shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total area of a manufactured home site;”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Building heights in county zoning districts.

    • Residential dwellings in the cited districts may not exceed 35 feet.
    • Public or semi-public buildings, churches, cathedrals, temples, or schools may reach 55 feet under the stated conditions.
    • Accessory buildings have separate standards.

    residential dwelling height: <= 35 feet · public or semi-public building height: <= 55 feet (setback requirements increase one foot for each foot above 35 feet)

    “No residential buildings used for dwellings shall hereafter be erected or structurally altered to exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Accessory buildings in residential districts.
      “No accessory building shall exceed one (1) story or fifteen (15) feet in height”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Buildings in Fillmore County zoning districts.
      “No building or structure shall exceed forty-five (45) feet in height. Public/semi-public buildings, churches, cathedrals, temples, or schools may be erected to a maximum height of fifty-five (55) feet.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Use of trailers or recreational camping vehicles as permanent dwellings in areas governed by the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance.

    • Recreational camping vehicles may be occupied at regulated campgrounds subject to campground rules, seasonal closure, licensing, road-readiness, wastewater, floodplain, and setback requirements.
    “No basement, garage, tent, trailer, recreational camping vehicles or accessory building shall be used as a permanent dwelling.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Temporary only (with conditions) — Parking or placement of campers, recreational camping vehicles, or other temporary housing in Fillmore County Bluff Impact Zones.
      “The parking or placement of campers, recreational camping vehicles, or any other form of temporary housing is allowed for one (1) week.”
    • Prohibited — Permanent dwelling use of a trailer or recreational camping vehicle in areas subject to the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance.
      “No basement, garage, tent, trailer, recreational camping vehicles or accessory building shall be used as a permanent dwelling.”
    • Limited — Occupancy of recreational camping vehicles at campgrounds governed by the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance.
      “The establishment or expansion of a campground requires a conditional use permit. [...] All campgrounds located in Fillmore County must be closed at least during the months of December, January and February. During the time a campground is closed, no person shall occupy any recreational camping vehicle, tent, or camping cabin. [...] All recreational camping vehicles parked on a campsite on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis must have all its wheels left on the vehicle. All recreational camping vehicles must have current licenses attached at all times and, if applicable, must have its hitch properly attached to the camper at all times. All recreational camping vehicles must be road-ready and legal to move without special permitting at all times. [...] All campsites in a new or expanded campground where recreational camping vehicles are allowed to park shall be outside the floodplain. [...] All new campgrounds must meet a setback of one thousand (1,000) feet from any existing dwellings unless part of an incorporated city.”
    • Temporary only (with conditions) — Parking or placement of campers, recreational camping vehicles, or other temporary housing in Fillmore County Bluffland Areas governed by Section 613.
      “The provisions of Section 613 shall be enforced in those areas of Fillmore County where bluffs are found. These regulations are intended to control soil erosion and protect the visual integrity of the Bluffland Areas by regulating structure setbacks, septic system locations, and vegetation and land alterations in relation to the Bluff Impact Zone. [...] The parking or placement of campers, recreational camping vehicles, or any other form of temporary housing is allowed for one (1) week.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Campgrounds and recreational camping regulated by Fillmore County.

    • Establishment or expansion of a campground requires a conditional-use permit.
    • Campgrounds must provide satisfactory water, toilet, and refuse-disposal facilities under state statutes and Minnesota Department of Health rules.
    • Campgrounds must close at least during December, January, and February, and no person may occupy a recreational camping vehicle, tent, or camping cabin while closed.
    • Recreational camping vehicles may not discharge wastewater onto the ground.
    • Campground buildings and recreational-vehicle campsites must be outside the floodplain, though tent campsites may be in a floodplain.
    • New campgrounds must be set back 1,000 feet from existing dwellings unless part of an incorporated city.

    winter closure: December through February (campgrounds must be closed at least during these months) · new campground setback: 1000 feet (unless part of an incorporated city)

    “All campgrounds located in Fillmore County must be closed at least during the months of December, January and February. During the time a campground is closed, no person shall occupy any recreational camping vehicle, tent, or camping cabin.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    A tiny home used as a single-family dwelling or dwelling unit in Fillmore County's Agricultural District, within the county ordinance jurisdiction.

    • The county ordinance does not separately define or name tiny homes; a tiny home used for habitation is evaluated under the ordinance's dwelling and dwelling-unit provisions.
    • No more than two dwellings are allowed per quarter of a quarter section in the Agricultural District.
    • Accesses and driveways must be traversable by emergency vehicles.
    • Dwellings and accessory structures are not permitted in wetlands, floodplain, or other areas of poor drainage.
    • All dwellings must comply with Bluffland and Shoreland Ordinances and be reviewed for Decorah Shale Outcroppings.
    • The minimum buildable lot size is 2.5 acres or more.
    • The county zoning ordinance applies outside incorporated municipality limits, except where an incorporated municipality adopts the county ordinance.
    • A zoning permit is required before erecting, installing, altering, converting, or moving a building or structure; the ordinance also requires compliance with any applicable township permit or approval where the township has enacted zoning.

    maximum dwellings: per 2 per quarter of a quarter section · minimum buildable lot size: >= 2.5 acres

    “Dwellings. There shall be no more than a total of 2 (two) dwellings per quarter of a quarter section of land in the Ag District.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — A tiny home used as a one- or two-family residential dwelling in Fillmore County's Single and Two-Family Residential District, within the county ordinance jurisdiction.
      “One and two family residential dwellings.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured-home parks and manufactured homes within those parks.

    • A manufactured-home park may be established only in the R-1 District.
    • A conditional-use permit is required to establish and operate the park.
    • Manufactured-home lots require at least 5,000 square feet, 50 feet of width, and 10-foot setbacks.
    • All structures placed in the park require a permit.
    • Manufactured homes must meet applicable state, federal, and specified construction standards.

    minimum manufactured-home lot area: >= 5000 square feet · minimum manufactured-home lot width: >= 50 feet · manufactured-home lot setbacks: >= 10 feet · maximum manufactured-home site coverage: <= 50 percent

    “A Conditional Use Permit is required to establish and operate a manufactured home park within the County.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Manufactured homes and manufactured-home parks in Fillmore County zoning districts.
      “When a manufactured home is used as the dwelling unit or as an accessory structure, that home shall be not less than twenty (20) feet wide.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    SSTS administration in Fillmore County.

    • Minnesota minimum standards and MPCA rules apply.
    • Cities and townships may regulate if their ordinances are at least as stringent as the county ordinance.
    • Large systems over 10,000 gallons per day require MPCA permitting.
    “Minnesota counties are required to adopt SSTS ordinances and administer SSTS programs that comply with state rules. Cities and townships may choose to regulate septic systems; if they do, their ordinance must be at least as stringent as the county's.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Mixed (with conditions) — Subsurface sewage treatment systems in Fillmore County, under Minnesota statewide standards administered through the applicable local unit of government.
      “Local units of government shall enforce local ordinances that regulate SSTS through permitting programs that meet the minimum requirements of this chapter.”
    • County — Administration of septic systems and related land-use controls in Fillmore County.
      “The Land Use Department oversees all phases of planning and zoning activities in Fillmore County including the development, coordination and enforcement of the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, which includes floodplain and shore land rules and regulations, septic systems, and the Fillmore County Feedlot Ordinance.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    SSTS construction permits in Fillmore County.

    • The 2023 MPCA annual report records 111 construction permits for Fillmore County.
    • The 2022 county fee schedule lists a $350 SSTS sewer permit fee for holding tank, gray water, standard, and mound systems.
    • Systems over 10,000 gallons per day require MPCA permitting.

    SSTS sewer permit fee: 350 USD (Holding tank, gray water, standard and mound systems)

    “SSTS (SEWER PERMIT) HIGH INTENSITY, ULTRA-VIOLET, HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM, 2.50 $ Holding Tank, Gray Water, Standard and Mound Systems 350.00 $”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Sewage-treatment-system inspections in the Shoreland Overlay District and certain property transfers.

    • In the Shoreland Overlay District, a certificate of inspection from a certified sewage-treatment-system installer is required before a building-permit, variance, or rezoning application.
    • The certificate is also required before recording a transfer of property on which a structure exists.
    • The county may conduct the inspection at the owner's option.
    • The owner pays a fee established by the County Board.
    • A nonconforming system must be brought into conformance within 90 days.

    compliance period: 90 days (after a nonconforming system is identified)

    “A property owner will be required to submit a Certificate of Inspection from a certified sewage treatment system installer indicating whether the treatment system conforms to MPCA 7080 rules. This shall be done prior to the owner’s making application for a building permit, requesting a variance, or a rezoning.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Existing sewage treatment systems in the Fillmore County Shoreland Overlay District, including systems involved in specified permitting and property transfers.
      “A property owner will be required to submit a Certificate of Inspection from a certified sewage treatment system installer indicating whether the treatment system conforms to MPCA 7080 rules. This shall be done prior to the owner’s making application for a building permit, requesting a variance, or a rezoning.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Planned unit developments governed by the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance.

    • Planned unit developments must connect to publicly owned water supply and sewer systems if available.
    • If on-site systems are used, water supply and sewage treatment systems must be centralized and meet or exceed Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards.
    “Planned unit developments must be connected to publicly owned water supply and sewer systems, if available.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Water and sewer (with conditions) — Manufactured homes located in a manufactured-home park.
      “All manufactured homes shall be properly connected to the community water system and sanitary sewer system in conformance to standards adopted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.”
    • Sewer (with conditions) — Development in the Fillmore County Shoreland Overlay District.
      “Publicly owned sewer systems must be used where available.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable

    Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids.

    • The exemption is limited to portable agricultural buildings placed on skids.
    • Temporary manufactured/mobile homes used as offices or tool storage may remain only during construction and must be removed within 30 days after completion.

    removal deadline: 30 days (temporary manufactured/mobile homes used during construction)

    “Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids shall also be exempt from obtaining a building permit.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — Specified agricultural construction and paving activities.
      “A permit shall not be required for: [...] b. Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids. [...] c. Concrete or blacktop poured for Agricultural Uses when the total of existing attached concrete plus the newly poured concrete is less than 160 total square feet.”
    • Available (with conditions) — Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids.
      “Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids shall also be exempt from obtaining a building permit.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivisions listed as conditional uses in the county's Single and Two-Family Residential District.

    • The cited evidence establishes subdivision treatment as a conditional use in the R-1 district; additional subdivision standards may apply under floodplain and other overlay provisions.
    “606.03. Conditional Uses [...] 12) Subdivisions.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Lots and parcels containing principal structures and access drives in Fillmore County.

    • Access drives onto county roads require review and approval by the County Engineer or Assistant County Engineer, the Zoning Administrator, and the County Board of Commissioners.
    • Access-drive location is evaluated using sight distance, road speeds, and other factors.
    • Principal-structure access drives must support emergency and fire vehicles.
    • All driveways must be at least 12 feet wide.

    minimum driveway width: >= 12 feet (All driveways)

    “All driveways shall have a minimum width of twelve (12) feet with road strength capable of supporting emergency and fire vehicles.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Access drives in county zoning districts, including R-1.
      “No access drives shall exceed twenty-two (22) feet in width.”
    • Limited — Driveway access and access-drive dimensions in Fillmore County zoning districts.
      “No access drives shall exceed twenty-two (22) feet in width.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in the Flood Plain overlay district and other sites subject to county floodplain controls.

    • The county ordinance includes a Flood Plain overlay district.
    • Structures must comply with applicable floodplain regulations.
    • Public utilities and facilities in the floodplain must be floodproofed under the State Building Code or elevated to the regulatory flood-protection elevation.
    • Floodplain development may require qualified-engineer or hydrologist evaluations under the stated standards.
    “All public utilities and facilities such as gas, electrical, sewer, and water supply systems to be located in the floodplain must be floodproofed in accordance with the State Building Code or elevated to the regulatory flood protection elevation.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Development in Floodway, Flood Fringe, and General Floodplain districts established by Fillmore County maps and ordinance.
      “A permit must be obtained from the Zoning Administrator to verify if a development meets all applicable standards outlined in this ordinance prior to conducting the following activities:”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning and SSTS fees published in the county fee schedule.

    • The zoning ordinance states that fees are determined by a Board-adopted schedule posted in the Zoning Administrator's office and may be amended only by the County Board.
    • The located schedule is labeled 2022 and should not be assumed current without a newer official schedule.

    SSTS sewer permit fee: 350 USD (Holding tank, gray water, standard and mound systems)

    “Fees shall be determined by the use of a fee schedule that shall be adopted by the Board of Commissioners, shall be posted in the office of the Zoning Administrator and shall be altered or amended only by the Board of Commissioners.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Variable (with conditions) — County zoning and land-use permit fees.
      “Fees shall be determined by the use of a fee schedule that shall be adopted by the Board of Commissioners”
    • Published (with conditions) — Fillmore County zoning-permit fees.
      “Fees shall be determined by the use of a fee schedule that shall be adopted by the Board of Commissioners, shall be posted in the office of the Zoning Administrator and shall be altered or amended only by the Board of Commissioners.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning and land-use permit applications.

    • Application is made to the Zoning Administrator on county forms.
    • Applications require scaled plans, required information, fees, and late fees if applicable.
    • Complete applications generally receive a permit in about 1-2 days.
    • Land-use permits are valid for one year and may be extended for one additional year when significant construction has occurred.
    • A further extension requires waiting 90 days after expiration and completing a new application.
    • CUPs and variances typically require a 60-day process involving notice, publication, and a public hearing.

    ordinary permit processing time: 1-2 days (provided the application is complete) · land-use permit validity: 1 year (one additional year may be allowed if significant construction has occurred) · CUP or variance process: 60 days (typically)

    “Provided the application is complete it takes about 1-2 days for you to receive the permit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Fillmore County zoning and land-use permit applications.
      “Provided the application is complete it takes about 1-2 days for you to receive the permit. If your project requires an instant answer simply follow-up by calling the Land Use Office at 507-765-3325 or hand-delivering your application.”

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) — Owner-builders of residential real estate in Fillmore County.
      “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.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the Minnesota State Building Code throughout Minnesota.

    • The State Building Code supersedes the building code of any municipality.
    • The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except for the state inspections and rulemaking identified in Minnesota Statutes section 326B.121, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (1), and the structural-support requirement for translucent panels or other skylights without raised curbs in clause (2).
    • The 2020 Minnesota State Building Code is effective March 31, 2020, except the Minnesota Mechanical Fuel Gas Code, which is effective April 6, 2020.
    • Municipal enforcement generally requires adoption by local ordinance, subject to statutory requirements for certain municipalities and statutory enforcement responsibilities where no adoption ordinance is in effect.
    • The 2024 Minnesota Commercial Energy Code is effective January 5, 2024.
    • Requirements for adult changing stations are effective August 15, 2025, and requirements for window-cleaning safety features are effective November 7, 2025, according to the Department of Labor and Industry update page.

    2020 Minnesota State Building Code effective date: 2020-03-31 (Minnesota Mechanical Fuel Gas Code effective 2020-04-06) · 2024 Minnesota Commercial Energy Code effective date: 2024-01-05 · Adult changing station supplement effective date: 2025-08-15 · Window-cleaning safety feature supplement effective date: 2025-11-07

    “(a) The State Building Code is the standard that applies statewide for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the code.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Buildings and structures governed by the Minnesota State Building Code in Fillmore County.
      “The State Building Code is the standard that applies statewide for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the code.”
  • 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”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Use or occupancy of buildings and structures, and changes in existing occupancy classification, in Minnesota jurisdictions administering and enforcing the State Building Code.

    • A building or structure may not be used or occupied, and an existing occupancy classification may not be changed, until the building official issues a certificate of occupancy under Minnesota Rules part 1300.0220.
    • The rule applies through the building official and therefore depends on the relevant jurisdiction administering and enforcing the State Building Code.
    • Issuance of a certificate of occupancy is not approval of a violation of the code or other municipal ordinances; a certificate purporting to authorize violation or cancellation of those requirements is invalid.
    • A municipality has the option of requiring certificates of occupancy for U occupancies constructed under the International Building Code, accessory structures constructed under the International Residential Code, and used manufactured homes moved into or within a jurisdiction.
    • Legal occupancy of a structure existing on the date of code adoption may continue without change.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued before all permitted work is complete if the occupied portion can be occupied safely; the building official sets its validity period.

    optional certificate category: U occupancies constructed under the International Building Code (municipality has the option of requiring a certificate) · optional certificate category: accessory structures constructed under the International Residential Code (municipality has the option of requiring a certificate) · optional certificate category: used manufactured homes moved into or within a jurisdiction (municipality has the option of requiring a certificate)

    “No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building, structure, or portion of a building or structure shall be made until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy for the building or structure under this part.”
  • 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.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Primitive dwellings using toilet-waste treatment devices in low dwelling-density areas, and privies governed by Minnesota SSTS rules.

    • Septage disposal by the owner must follow local ordinances.
    • If no local ordinance exists, septage must not be discharged to surface waters, drainageways, steeply sloping areas, or wet areas in a manner or volume harmful to the environment or public health or that creates a nuisance.
    • Material must be buried or covered with soil.
    • If site conditions do not meet the rule, solids disposal must be performed under the applicable rule by a licensed maintenance business.
    • Privy solids must be removed when the privy is filled to one-half capacity.
    • Abandoned pits must have sewage solids and contaminated soil removed and be filled with clean earth and slightly mounded.

    privy solids removal threshold: 50 percent capacity

    “For primitive dwellings using toilet waste treatment devices in low dwelling density areas, septage disposal from these devices by the owner must be in accordance with local ordinances. If no ordinance exists, the septage must not be discharged to surface waters, drainageways, steeply sloping areas, or wet areas in a manner or volume that is harmful to the environment or public health or that creates a nuisance. The material must be buried or covered with soil.”
  • 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 Fillmore 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.

  • 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 Fillmore County, Minnesota

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

Fillmore County scores 74/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop.

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

Fillmore County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Fillmore County Zoning / Land Use Office (SSTS program under MPCA Minn. Rules 7080-7083). 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 Fillmore County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Fillmore County is prohibited: Use of trailers or recreational camping vehicles as permanent dwellings in areas governed by the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance. Recreational camping vehicles may be occupied at regulated campgrounds subject to campground rules, seasonal closure, licensing, road-readiness, wastewater, floodplain, and setback requirements. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Fillmore County, Minnesota?

Land in Fillmore County runs about $5,919 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Fillmore County?

Fillmore County gets about 36.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 5.2% of years.

How remote is Fillmore County?

A representative private-land location has about 19,910 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,266,858 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 Fillmore compares in Minnesota

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