Building permits, zoning and land rules in Scott County, Minnesota
43Index Score / 100 #83 of 87 in Minnesota
Scott County, Minnesota requires building permits for construction, additions, alterations and moves in its townships, issued by Scott County Building Inspections1. County Planning & Zoning sets zoning in all ten townships, while each of the eight cities handles its own zoning23. Septic permits come from Scott County Environmental Services, and a camper or RV cannot be lived in for more than 14 days on unincorporated land45.
At a glance
Building permit
Generally required for construction and alterations in the county's township jurisdiction1
Zoning
County zoning covers all ten townships; each city handles its own zoning3
Septic permit
Required through the countywide Environmental Services program6
Owner-builder exemption
Yes, from Minnesota's residential contractor license when you build for your own use or rental; building, zoning and septic permits still apply7
RV living
An RV cannot be occupied as a dwelling for more than 14 days5
Minimum dwelling size
At least 960 square feet, except mobile homes and accessory dwelling units8
Agricultural buildings
A conditional permit exemption exists when every county checklist requirement is met9
Tiny homes
A tiny home classed as an ordinary dwelling needs 960 square feet; one classed as an RV or park model cannot be lived in over 14 days1011
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Do you need a building permit in Scott County, Minnesota?
Scott County generally requires permits when a building or structure is built, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, converted, demolished or changes use in the county's township permitting jurisdiction; gas, mechanical and plumbing work is covered too1. Scott County has adopted the Minnesota State Building Code for buildings in its townships12. A homeowner building for personal use or rental is exempt from Minnesota's residential contractor license but still needs the building, zoning and septic permits; building or improving more than one property in 24 months is presumed to be for speculation unless the properties are kept as rentals13. A qualifying agricultural building can be exempt only when every answer on the county checklist is yes and the required certification and zoning or agricultural applications are submitted; electrical permits still apply, as do septic or sewer permits when plumbing is installed9. The published fee schedule includes a $7.50 technology fee on building, plumbing and mechanical permits, with other charges varying by permit type14. When a new single-family home replaces an existing dwelling on the same parcel, the old dwelling may remain until the new home's certificate of occupancy is issued; removal or conversion is then due within 60 days and requires a $50,000 or approved estimated-cost guarantee15.
Who is the Scott County building department, and how do you reach them?
Scott County Building Inspections issues building permits and manages Minnesota State Building Code administration within the townships; cities handle their own zoning, while septic permits come from the county as described below163. The office is at 200 4th Avenue W in Shakopee, and its mainline is 952-496-816016. All applications must be filed and processed online through the county's ePermit portal, where an applicant can upload required documents, pay and retrieve approved documents16. Staff are available in person by appointment, so call the mainline before visiting16. If land-disturbing work is in a shoreland or bluff overlay zone, contact the Natural Resources Department at 952-496-8881 about the separate grading permit17. Permitted construction is subject to inspections selected by the building official, and the applicant must keep the work accessible and exposed until it is approved18.
Does Scott County have zoning?
Scott County Planning & Zoning administers zoning in all ten townships, while each of the county's eight cities is responsible for its own planning and zoning23. The county publishes a zoning map and district rules governing uses, minimum lot sizes, accessory-building sizes and other controls in the townships19. Setbacks and maximum building heights vary by district and structure type, and additional shoreland, wetland, bluff, lake or stream standards may affect a building site2021. Lot-coverage limits also depend on the district22. Ordinary residential dwellings must have at least 960 square feet of finished floor area, except mobile homes and accessory dwelling units8. The county approves subdivisions and plat-related planning actions within its county-administered jurisdiction23. Planning & Zoning is available by appointment only at 952-496-865324.
How do septic permits work in Scott County?
Scott County Environmental Services requires septic permits through its countywide program and coordinates enforcement and permitting with the larger cities64. Apply through the Building Inspections ePermit portal with the application, system design, site map, elevations, management plan and soil-observation logs6. The 2026 fee for a residential Type I, II or III system is $890 with an MPCA-licensed installer or $1,160 when the property owner installs it; other systems and modifications have separate fees6. A compliance inspection is required for a new system, before a bedroom-addition permit, when an existing system is altered by permit or variance, and when compliance is otherwise determined25. Only about 1.3% of Scott County soils avoid a severe USDA limitation rating for conventional drain fields, so establish site-specific feasibility early26. Ask Environmental Services at 952-496-8177 about any nonstandard sanitation plan27.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Scott County?
In unincorporated Scott County, a camper, travel trailer, motor home, park model trailer or recreational vehicle cannot be occupied as a dwelling unit for more than 14 days5. Private campgrounds cannot be used as year-round residences, and residential use of camping vehicles there is prohibited from November 1 through April 1 except for a campground owner or caretaker28. The county zoning ordinance does not use the term tiny home, so the structure’s classification decides the rule10. A tiny home classified as an ordinary dwelling must have at least 960 square feet of finished floor area unless it is a mobile home or accessory dwelling unit10. A tiny home classified as a park model trailer, travel trailer, motor home or recreational vehicle cannot be occupied as a dwelling unit for more than 14 days11. Ask Scott County Planning & Zoning how the proposed structure would be classified before relying on a tiny-home plan24. A new manufactured home installed for occupancy in Minnesota must be inspected under federal installation standards29.
How do you build a home in Scott County, step by step?
Confirm the parcel's zoning district, allowed use, setbacks, height and lot-coverage limits with Scott County Planning & Zoning; appointments are made at 952-496-86532419202122.
Establish septic feasibility and submit the required design package through the ePermit portal for Environmental Services approval6.
Ask the Natural Resources Department whether land disturbance in a shoreland or bluff overlay zone needs a separate grading permit17.
File the building-permit application online through the ePermit portal; Scott County Building Inspections processes all permit applications there1630.
Obtain a road-authority permit for a new or additional driveway onto a public highway; the Scott County Highway Department handles county-highway permits3132.
Keep permitted work accessible and exposed for the inspections identified by the building official18.
What should you check before buying land in Scott County?
Start with wastewater: only about 1.3% of Scott County soils avoid a severe USDA limitation rating for a conventional septic drain field26. Then confirm zoning, lot coverage and the proposed use with Planning & Zoning, because district standards vary and ordinary dwellings generally must have at least 960 square feet of finished floor area228. About 93.7% of county land has a slope of 15% or less, while about 23.7% is wooded, but parcel-level soils, drainage and overlays still need review3334. The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 23 miles from the county center35. Farmland value averages about $9,547 per acre, the typical home value is about $450,087, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $4,195363738. Confirm whether access is from a county, state, city or township road, because a new or additional public-highway access requires the relevant road authority's permit31.
Watch-outs
Scott County Planning & Zoning works by appointment only, so call 952-496-8653 before you visit rather than dropping in24.
Only about 1.3% of Scott County's soils avoid a severe limitation for a conventional septic drain field, so establish site-specific septic feasibility early26.
An RV cannot be occupied as a dwelling unit for more than 14 days on unincorporated Scott County land5.
Written October 9, 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.
Scott County highlighted among the Minnesota counties · colored by Index score
How Scott County scores
Seclusion15100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency53100% ev.
Admin Boringness44100% ev.
Durability68100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost50100% 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 →
$450kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$9,547Land / acre
32.9"Annual rain
9.6% of yrsSevere drought
2.4 / yr (+2.3)Mid-century 100°F days
16.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.63" (+5.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.7×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,482Home insurance / yr
3.1% / yrInsurance growth
0.6%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
188,048People within 30 min
4,860,600People within 2 hr
187,523Radius comparison (15 mi)
437.3People / sq mi
2.6%Federal land
93.7%Land at 15% slope or less
1.3%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
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Cities and towns in Scott 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: Belle Plaine · Belle Plaine Township · Blakeley Township · Cedar Lake Township · Helena Township · Jordan · Louisville Township · New Market Township · Sand Creek Township · Savage · Spring Lake Township · St. Lawrence Township
Answers from the rulebook for Scott County
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Scott County rules
Building permitRequired
Building, structural, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work within the county's permitting jurisdiction.
Permits are typically required when a building or structure is built, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, converted, demolished, or changes use; trade-system work is also covered.
“MN State Statute 326B and Administrative Rule 1300.0120 typically requires permits to be obtained any time a building or structure is built, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, converted, demolished, or changes perfunctory use; and/or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert; and/or replace any gas, mechanical, plumbing system, or equipment.”
Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)
Minnesota State Building Code administration for buildings in Scott County townships.
The county page scopes the department's responsibility to the townships.
“No. 10 Minnesota State Building Code Ordinance (PDF) - Adopts the Minnesota State Building Code and provides for the application, administration, and enforcement of the Minnesota State Building Code by regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area, and maintenance of all buildings and/or structures in the Townships of Scott County.”
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Replacement or new single-family dwelling situations governed by the county zoning ordinance.
If a new single-family dwelling is proposed on a parcel with an existing dwelling, the existing dwelling may remain until a certificate of occupancy is issued for the new home; removal or conversion must occur within 60 days and requires a $50,000 or approved estimated-cost financial guarantee.
removal or conversion deadline: 60 days (after issuance of certificate of occupancy) · financial guarantee: 50000 USD (or acceptable amount based on submitted demolition and removal estimate)
“If a new single family dwelling unit is proposed on a parcel with an existing dwelling unit, the existing dwelling unit may be utilized until a certificate of occupancy is issued for the new home.”
County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)
Scott County zoning administered in the County's ten townships.
Each of the eight cities in Scott County is legally responsible for its own planning and zoning.
The county zoning authority described here does not establish county administration of incorporated-city zoning.
“The department is legally responsible for planning and zoning in all ten townships within the County. The Department works collaboratively with the townships officials (local road authorities) in making decisions and guiding development. Each of the eight cities in the County is legally responsible for their own planning and zoning.”
Local zoningVaries (with conditions)
Aggregate local zoning across Scott County townships and incorporated cities.
Scott County administers planning and zoning in all ten townships.
Each of the eight cities is legally responsible for its own planning and zoning.
This countywide aggregate claim does not assert that Scott County administers each incorporated-city ordinance.
“The department is legally responsible for planning and zoning in all ten townships within the County. The Department works collaboratively with the townships officials (local road authorities) in making decisions and guiding development. Each of the eight cities in the County is legally responsible for their own planning and zoning.”
Zoning districtsPublished
Published zoning districts, district controls, and the County zoning map for the County-administered township jurisdiction.
The County's official numerical listing identifies both Zoning Ordinance No. 3 and the Zoning Ordinance Map.
The listed zoning ordinance regulates setbacks, minimum lot sizes, accessory building sizes, allowed uses within zoning districts, and related controls in the townships of Scott County.
The County's eight cities remain separately responsible for their own planning and zoning.
“No. 3 Zoning Ordinance (PDF) - Regulates land use activities including: structure set-backs, minimum lot sizes; accessory building sizes; allowed uses within a zoning district; business uses (conditional and interim use permits); animal/livestock regulations; grading permit requirements; erosion control; nuisance issues (junk vehicles, junk accumulation); vehicle parking and outdoor storage in the Townships of Scott County.”
Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified
Residential dwelling units in county zoning districts, excluding mobile homes and accessory dwelling units.
The finished floor area may not be less than 960 square feet; mobile homes and accessory dwelling units are excepted.
minimum finished floor area: >= 960 square feet (mobile homes and accessory dwelling units)
“For all dwelling units in all residences, except mobile homes and accessory dwelling units, the finished floor area shall not be less than nine hundred sixty (960) square feet.”
SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)
Building and structure setbacks in applicable Scott County zoning districts.
All buildings and structures must comply with the applicable district setbacks unless another ordinance section requires otherwise.
Setbacks are measured from the appropriate lot line, right-of-way, or road/street centerline as determined by the County.
District-specific examples include commercial and industrial front-yard measurements of 150 feet from a State or County road centerline or 100 feet from the right-of-way, and 100 feet from a local-street centerline or 67 feet from the right-of-way.
Additional shoreland, wetland, bluff, lake, stream, and other natural-feature requirements may apply where separately provided by the ordinance.
example front setback from State or County road centerline: 150 feet (or 100 feet from the road right-of-way, whichever is greater) · example front setback from local public street centerline: 100 feet (or 67 feet from the local public street right-of-way, whichever is greater) · example side setback in C-1/RBR: 20 feet (C-1 corner lots use front-yard setback; RBR also has 150-foot separation from specified residential districts)
“Setbacks. All buildings and structures shall comply with the setbacks within the applicable district except as may be required within other sections of this Ordinance. All setbacks shall be measured from the appropriate lot line, right-of-way or centerline of the road/street as determined by the County.”
Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)
Impervious-surface lot coverage in county zoning districts.
Lot coverage must not exceed the maximum listed in the applicable zoning-district performance standards; institutional uses have a 75% maximum under the cited general provision.
institutional-use maximum lot coverage: <= 75 percent (district standards may impose lower limits)
“Lot coverage shall not exceed the maximums listed in the zoning district performance standards within each respective zoning district, except for institutional uses that shall not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of lot area in all zoning districts.”
Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)
Maximum building heights in applicable Scott County zoning districts.
Height limits vary by district and structure type.
A 35-foot principal-structure maximum appears in multiple residential/agricultural district standards.
A 45-foot structure-height maximum appears in the RBR and I-1 district standards.
principal structure height maximum: 35 feet (Examples in residential/agricultural district standards) · structure height maximum: 45 feet (RBR and I-1 district examples)
“Principal Building Height Maximum. Thirty-five (35) feet.”
Living in an RVLimited
Occupation of campers, travel trailers, motor homes, park model trailers, and recreational vehicles as dwelling units.
Such vehicles may not be occupied as dwelling units for more than 14 days.
maximum dwelling-unit occupancy: 14 days (occupancy beyond 14 days is prohibited)
“No garage, camper, tent, fish house, accessory structure, automobile, travel trailer, motor home, park model trailer or recreational vehicle shall at any time be occupied as a dwelling unit for more than 14 days.”
Camping on your landLimited
Private campground overnight camping activities.
Year-round residential use is prohibited; residential use of camping vehicles is prohibited from November 1 through April 1 except for a campground owner or caretaker; winter storage is permitted; setbacks and county wastewater/state MPCA sanitation standards apply.
seasonal residential-use prohibition period: November 1-April 1 (campground owner or caretaker)
“Year round residential use is prohibited. Residential use of camping vehicles, except as permitted for a campground owner or caretaker, shall be prohibited from November 1 to April 1. Storage of campers over winter is permitted.”
Tiny homesLimited
A proposed tiny home classified as an ordinary residential dwelling in the unincorporated areas governed by Scott County Zoning Ordinance No. 3.
The finished floor area must be at least 960 square feet for dwelling units in residences, unless the structure is a mobile home or accessory dwelling unit.
The ordinance applies to unincorporated areas of Scott County, except as provided in an orderly annexation agreement and except Credit River Township once it formally adopts its own zoning ordinance.
The specific proposed tiny home must first be classified under the applicable definitions and approvals; the ordinance does not itself use the term tiny home in the cited provision.
minimum finished floor area: >= 960 square feet (mobile homes and accessory dwelling units)
“For all dwelling units in all residences, except mobile homes and accessory dwelling units, the finished floor area shall not be less than nine hundred sixty (960) square feet.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Limited — A proposed tiny home classified as a park model trailer, recreational vehicle, travel trailer, motor home, camper, or similar listed vehicle or structure in the unincorporated areas governed by Scott County Zoning Ordinance No. 3.
“No garage, camper, tent, fish house, accessory structure, automobile, travel trailer, motor home, park model trailer or recreational vehicle shall at any time be occupied as a dwelling unit for more than 14 days.”
Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)
Countywide on-site sewage treatment system regulation and permitting, coordinated with state rules and larger cities.
The county program operates under Minnesota rules and statutes and coordinates enforcement and permitting in larger cities.
“The County's Ordinance is effective Countywide with coordination of enforcement and permitting in the larger cities.”
Septic permitRequired
Residential and other individual/community subsurface sewage treatment systems in Scott County, including unincorporated areas and larger cities coordinated with the County
Scott County Ordinance No. 4 is effective countywide, with coordination of enforcement and permitting in larger cities.
The SSTS permit application must include an SSTS design, soil observations, and management plan meeting Minnesota Rules chapters 7080-7083 and the Scott County SSTS Ordinance.
Primary and alternate septic sites must be protected and staked/fenced when construction activity is conducted; the application identifies a $110 re-inspection fee when required fencing and staking are not in place.
The 2026 fee schedule lists $890 for a residential Type I, II, or III SSTS installed by an MPCA-licensed installer and $1,160 when installed by the property owner; other system types and modifications have separate fees.
A permit is conditional on compliance with applicable Minnesota, township, city, and Scott County ordinances and required inspections.
residential Type I, II, or III SSTS permit fee when installed by MPCA-licensed installer: 890 USD · residential Type I, II, or III SSTS permit fee when installed by property owner: 1160 USD (Higher fee covers additional administrative and inspection costs) · septic-site re-inspection fee: 110 USD (Applies when required fencing and staking are not in place at inspection)
“To apply for a septic permit, please visit the Building Inspections e-permit portal. Required Documents: Septic Permit Application Form; Septic Design with site map, elevations, U of M design forms, management plan, soil observation logs.”
Septic inspectionRequired
Compliance inspections for individual sewage treatment systems.
A compliance inspection is required for a new sewage system, before a bedroom-addition permit, when altering an existing system by permit or variance, and whenever compliance is being determined; county ordinance adds further change-of-use, new-lot, accessory-structure, seasonal-to-year-round, and zoning-review triggers.
“Current State Laws require a compliance inspection to be done any time a new sewage system is installed; before a local unit of government can issue a permit for the addition of a bedroom to a home; any time a permit or variance is requested to alter an existing system; and any time a sewage system is reviewed to determine if it is in compliance.”
Agricultural exemptionConditional
Agricultural buildings meeting the county and state agricultural-building criteria.
All checklist answers must be yes; the land and building must meet the stated agricultural-use, acreage, user, and occupancy restrictions; the form must be signed and submitted with required zoning/agricultural applications; if any answer is no, the building is not exempt; electrical permits remain required, and septic or sewer permits are required if plumbing is installed.
example acreage threshold: >= 10 contiguous acres (alternative less-than-10-acre agricultural-use categories are listed in the handout)
“If the answers to ALL of the above questions were YES, read and sign the Exemption on the following page, and submit the completed certificate form along with any zoning/agricultural applications as required.”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision and plat-related planning actions within the County's county-administered jurisdiction.
Scott County states that its planning and zoning authority grants approval for all subdivisions and planning actions related to plats.
Townships are local road authorities.
The County's planning and zoning page states that incorporated cities are legally responsible for their own planning and zoning, so this claim does not establish County subdivision administration inside every city.
“Planning and zoning authority, grants approval for all subdivisions and planning actions related to the plat (PDF) or conditional use permit (PDF).”
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Scott County building and related permit fees listed in the current fee schedule.
Fees may include building permit fee, plan review fee, state surcharge, technology fee, and other applicable charges depending on permit type.
technology fee: 7.5 USD (applied to all building, plumbing, and mechanical permits per the fee schedule)
“Technology Fee $7.50 applied to all building, plumbing and mechanical permits”
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
County building-permit application process.
Applications are submitted online through the ePermit portal; applicants upload submittals, make payments, and retrieve approved documents.
“All permit applications must be applied for, processed, and filed online through the ePermit portal.”
An owner of residential real estate building or improving residential real estate in Minnesota, including Scott County.
The owner must occupy or intend to occupy the residential real estate for residential purposes, or retain ownership for rental purposes upon completion of the building or improvement.
The exemption does not apply when the owner constructs or improves residential real estate for resale or speculation.
The 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 by the owner for rental purposes.
This is an exemption from the residential-contractor license requirement; it does not eliminate applicable building permits, inspections, building-code, zoning, septic, or other project requirements.
speculation presumption threshold: >= 2 properties (The presumption applies when the owner constructs or improves more than one property within any 24-month period, unless the properties will be retained by the owner for rental purposes.) · speculation presumption period: 24 months (The presumption does not apply when 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”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Available (with conditions) — An owner of residential real estate who builds or improves residential real estate in Minnesota, including Scott County, for owner occupancy or rental retention rather than resale or speculation.
“(3) 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.”
Available (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 license requirement does not apply to: [...] an owner of residential real estate who builds or improves residential real estate”
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”
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.”
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.
“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).”
Driveway accessRequired
Direct driveway connections to or from Minnesota state highways and work within MnDOT right-of-way.
A permit is required before constructing or modifying a direct driveway connection to or from a state highway.
The requirement covers agricultural, single-family residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, public, institutional, natural-resource, and multiple-family residential uses, and privately owned streets.
A new driveway, including a temporary driveway, requires a permit.
Modifying an existing driveway or changing its use or major traffic pattern may require a new permit.
The application should be submitted by the property owner; an agent, tenant, contractor, or developer must include written authorization from the owner.
This claim does not establish driveway-permit requirements for roads outside MnDOT jurisdiction.
“A MnDOT Access Driveway Permit is required before a direct driveway connection to or from a state highway is constructed or modified.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Limited — Additional ingress to or egress from a public highway for property with a right of direct private access.
“The owner or occupant of property abutting upon a public highway, having a right of direct private access thereto, may provide such other or additional means of ingress from and egress to the highway as will facilitate the efficient use of the property for a particular lawful purpose, subject to reasonable regulation by and permit from the road authority as is necessary to prevent interference with the construction, maintenance and safe use of the highway and its appurtenances and the public use thereof.”
Required — Changes in access to or from a MnDOT right-of-way, including driveway or other access points to a trunk highway, and changes in property use affecting such access.
“An Access / Driveway Permit is required whenever there is a request for change in access to or from a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) right-of-way or a change in use of the property.”
Building in a floodplainRequired
Construction and fill in regulated Minnesota floodplain areas, including houses, fill, culverts, and bridges.
Projects must comply with the community floodplain management ordinance.
For unincorporated areas, the county zoning authority generally administers the rule; cities generally administer within city boundaries; some townships administer floodplain permits and zoning.
In flood-fringe areas, residential buildings must place the lowest floor, including the basement, above the flood protection elevation.
The flood protection elevation is one foot above the 100-year flood plus any stage increase from flood-fringe designation; local communities may require a higher elevation.
If maps do not delineate floodway and flood fringe, the applicant may need engineering information verifying the flood protection elevation and that the site is outside the floodway.
minimum lowest-floor elevation above 100-year flood: >= 1 foot (plus any stage increase due to designation of flood fringe areas)
“Such projects as building a house, placement of fill, or installing a culvert or bridge would all require a floodplain permit.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Required — Building a house, placing fill, or installing a culvert or bridge in portions of a Minnesota floodplain.
“Construction and fill is generally permitted in portions of the floodplain, provided they adhere to their community’s floodplain management ordinance. Such projects as building a house, placement of fill, or installing a culvert or bridge would all require a floodplain permit.”
Limited — Dwellings, enclosed structures, fill, or obstruction of flood flows within a mapped Minnesota floodway.
“If the property a person owns or is interested in buying lies within this mapped floodway, they will not be permitted to construct a dwelling or other enclosed structure, place fill material, or obstruct flood flows in any other way.”
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 Scott 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
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.
Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer connection requirements for residential development.
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 Scott County, Minnesota
Is Scott County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
Scott County scores 43/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: about 188,048 people within a 30-minute drive.
Do you need a building permit in Scott County, Minnesota?
Scott County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Scott County Environmental Services (SSTS program). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Scott County?
Living in an RV on your own land in Scott County is limited to specific cases: Occupation of campers, travel trailers, motor homes, park model trailers, and recreational vehicles as dwelling units. Such vehicles may not be occupied as dwelling units for more than 14 days. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.
How much does land cost in Scott County, Minnesota?
Land in Scott County runs about $9,547 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in Scott County?
Scott County gets about 32.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 9.6% of years.
How remote is Scott County?
A representative private-land location has about 188,048 people within a 30-minute drive and 4,860,600 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.
