Bolthole Index

Sherburne County, Minnesota

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Sherburne County, Minnesota

47Index Score / 100
#77 of 87 in Minnesota

Sherburne County, Minnesota requires building permits for new structures and many alterations where the county administers building permits1. County zoning covers unincorporated land except Becker Township and part of Haven Township; county septic installation and compliance administration extends countywide, but Elk River also lists city-issued septic permits, so confirm the issuing office for an Elk River address234.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new structures and many alterations; some minor work is exempt1
Zoning
County in most unincorporated areas; Elk River, Big Lake and Becker Township set their own zoning2567
Septic
County design approval and septic permits; confirm the issuing office inside Elk River84
RV occupancy
Seasonal or guest use only under county zoning; not permanent housing910
Owner-builder
A licensing exemption may apply, but permits and code still apply11
Permit fees
Published; after-the-fact building, land-use and septic permits cost double12
Tiny home
A dwelling of 400 square feet or less must meet state residential code; a detached ADU also faces county zoning, permit and septic conditions1314
Minimum home size
State code sets room minimums: 70 square feet and 7 feet in any direction, except kitchens; no single total-home minimum is established here15

Who to call

Building permits

Sherburne County Planning & Zoning Department

Building permits, plan review and inspections for unincorporated Sherburne County

763-765-4450

13880 Business Center Drive NW, Suite 100, Elk River, MN 55330

Online permits →

Septic permits

Sherburne County Planning & Zoning Department

SSTS (septic) design review, permits and inspections for unincorporated Sherburne County

763-765-3000

13880 Business Center Drive NW, Suite 100, Elk River, MN 55330

Online permits →

Zoning

Sherburne County Planning & Zoning Department

Zoning ordinance administration for unincorporated Sherburne County

763-765-3000

13880 Business Center Drive NW, Suite 100, Elk River, MN 55330

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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

Sherburne County requires building permits for new structures, alterations, enlargements, finished basements and other listed work in its building-permit jurisdiction; the county does not issue building permits for incorporated cities or Becker Township1. Elk River and Big Lake issue their own building permits1617. County septic installation and compliance administration extends countywide, but Elk River also lists city-issued septic permits; confirm the issuing office with Elk River Building Safety and county Planning & Zoning for an Elk River address34. In the county building-permit jurisdiction, a one-story detached accessory structure of 200 square feet or less and other listed minor projects are exempt1. An owner-builder licensing exemption does not waive building permits, zoning, septic permits, inspections or state code11. Ask Planning & Zoning which agricultural-building exemption conditions apply; the county links an exemption handout18.

Who is the Sherburne County building department, and how do you reach them?

Sherburne County's Planning & Zoning Department is the first stop for county-administered building permits and septic design approvals13. Reach the building-permit desk at 763-765-4450 or visit 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Suite 100, Elk River, Minnesota18. The county provides an online permit and payment portal, and its published process calls for at least 10 working days on new homes and similar applications1918. Permit charges come from the county fee schedule; non-fixed building permits add a plan-review charge equal to 65% of the permit fee, and after-the-fact building, land-use and septic permits cost double12.

Does Sherburne County have zoning?

Sherburne County zoning covers unincorporated areas except Becker Township and portions of Haven Township in the orderly annexation area; county floodplain and Mississippi River district rules continue throughout unincorporated areas2. Elk River, Big Lake and Becker Township set their own zoning567. County septic compliance administration remains countywide, though Elk River also lists city-issued septic permits34. County lot size, setbacks and height depend on the district and overlays: Agricultural District lots generally need 40 contiguous acres unplatted or 5 platted, and dwellings are limited to 35 feet202122. Ask county Planning & Zoning to identify the parcel’s district and overlays before designing a site plan2324.

How do septic permits work in Sherburne County?

Sherburne County Planning & Zoning administers septic installation and compliance throughout the county; for an Elk River address, confirm the issuing office because Elk River Building Safety also lists septic permits within city limits34. For a new system or holding-tank replacement, hire a state-licensed designer, submit the design and fee to the zoning office, and obtain the required permit before installation825. The installer must contact the zoning office at least 24 hours before inspection, and some systems require more than one inspection26. Property transfers and bedroom additions also trigger age-or-inspection compliance standards, as do most other building-permit requests26. Routine pump, lid, pipe and filter maintenance is permit-exempt, but holding-tank replacement is not8. Only about 0.8% of Sherburne County soils rate free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so do not assume a conventional layout will work27.

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

In Sherburne County’s zoning jurisdiction, an RV cannot become permanent housing10. On a lot without a permanent dwelling, one licensed RV may be used for guests or recreation for no more than 90 days per calendar year; a guest RV at a permanent dwelling is limited to 30 days per calendar year9. Travel trailers, RVs and converted vehicles may not be used as permanent structures or connected to water and septic systems for that purpose10. Minnesota defines a tiny house as a dwelling of 400 square feet or less, excluding lofts, and requires it to comply with the Minnesota Residential Code unless Appendix Q provides otherwise; zoning permission remains local13. For Sherburne County dwellings subject to state residential code, habitable rooms must be at least 70 square feet and 7 feet in any direction, except kitchens; those are room minimums, not a single minimum total home size15. Every dwelling must have a toilet, lavatory, tub or shower, and kitchen sink15. In the county zoning jurisdiction, a tiny home used as a detached ADU requires an existing single-family dwelling, qualifying zoning and homestead status, plus building and septic permits14. A detached ADU is generally limited to a 1,500-square-foot footprint, reduced to 1,000 square feet on a platted lot of 5 acres or less14.

How do you build a home in Sherburne County, Minnesota?

  1. Identify the zoning authority: the county in most unincorporated areas, the city inside municipal limits, or the applicable local authority in excluded township areas2.
  2. Confirm the zoning district, lot dimensions, setbacks and height limits before drawing the site plan24202122.
  3. If the project is a detached ADU or tiny home, confirm that the parcel, dwelling and proposed unit satisfy the county's ADU conditions14.
  4. Hire a state-licensed septic designer and submit the design and fee to Planning & Zoning825.
  5. Check floodplain restrictions and road access; county road-access standards apply countywide2829.
  6. For county-issued building permits, apply through the county portal and allow at least 10 working days for new-home review19.
  7. Have the septic installer schedule inspections at least 24 hours ahead26.
  8. Obtain the required certificate of occupancy before occupying a new non-agricultural building in the county zoning jurisdiction30.

What should you check before buying land in Sherburne County, Minnesota?

Confirm the parcel's zoning authority, district and overlays before making an offer because cities and excluded township areas do not use the county's general zoning administration2. If you plan to divide land, Sherburne County regulates subdivision and platting in its jurisdiction, with exceptions for Becker Township and part of Haven Township31. Verify that the parcel meets its district's lot, buildable-area, setback and height rules rather than assuming the Agricultural District examples apply everywhere202122. We could not confirm private-well permit requirements or off-grid sanitation alternatives; ask Planning & Zoning which authority must approve the proposed water and sewage arrangements25. Check the building pad for floodplain constraints and confirm driveway access with the road authority because county road-access standards apply even within municipal limits2829.

Watch-outs

  • After-the-fact building, land-use and septic permits cost double the ordinary permit cost12.
  • An RV may be used only seasonally or by guests under county zoning, and it cannot become a permanent dwelling connected to water and septic910.
  • A tiny home used as a county-regulated ADU requires an existing single-family dwelling, qualifying zoning, homestead status, and building and septic permits; an ADU cannot use a holding tank14.
  • County general zoning excludes Becker Township and portions of Haven Township’s orderly annexation area; ask county Planning & Zoning to identify the parcel’s zoning authority223.
  • Most structures are not allowed in the floodway, and floodplain structures must meet the county's flood-elevation and storage requirements28.

Sources

  1. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  3. Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  4. Elk River: Building Safety (Sherburne County), quoted and re-checked
  5. Elk River: City Ordinances (Sherburne County), quoted and re-checked
  6. Big Lake: Big Lake, MN Laws (Sherburne County), quoted and re-checked
  7. Becker Township: Accessory Structures (Lots Under 5 Acres) Building Permit Application (Sherburne County), quoted and re-checked
  8. Septic Permits, quoted and re-checked
  9. Sherburne County Zoning Ordinance No. 292, Sections 19.19-19.20, quoted and re-checked
  10. co.sherburne.mn.us, quoted and re-checked
  11. Minnesota Statutes § 326B.805 — Licensing Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  12. Sherburne County Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  13. Fact sheet: Tiny Houses, quoted and re-checked
  14. Zoning Ordinance | Sherburne County, MN, quoted and re-checked
  15. Tiny Houses and the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code, quoted and re-checked
  16. Elk River: Permit Process (Sherburne County), quoted and re-checked
  17. Big Lake: Building Permit Information (Sherburne County), quoted and re-checked
  18. Sherburne County Planning & Zoning Department (co.sherburne.mn.us)
  19. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  20. Sherburne County Zoning Ordinance No. 292, Section 8.3, quoted and re-checked
  21. Sherburne County Zoning Ordinance No. 292, Section 8.3, quoted and re-checked
  22. Sherburne County Zoning Ordinance No. 292, Section 8.3, quoted and re-checked
  23. Sherburne County Planning & Zoning Department (co.sherburne.mn.us)
  24. Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  25. Sherburne County Planning & Zoning Department (co.sherburne.mn.us)
  26. Septic Permits, quoted and re-checked
  27. 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
  28. Floodplains, quoted and re-checked
  29. Sherburne County Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance No. 292, quoted and re-checked
  30. Sherburne County Zoning Ordinance No. 292, Section 6.6.2, quoted and re-checked
  31. Ordinance No. 297 Subdivision Ordinance, quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 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, Sherburne County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleSherburne CountyWright CountyAnoka CountyHennepin CountyIsanti CountyBenton CountyCarver County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesNoYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Planning & Zoning Dept.County Env. Health OfficeCounty Public Health & Env. Services Dept.County Env. HealthCounty Zoning Dept.County Dept. of DevelopmentCounty Env. Services

County locator

Sherburne County in Minnesota

47
County map
Sherburne County highlighted among the Minnesota counties · colored by Index score

How Sherburne County scores

Seclusion18100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency60100% ev.
Admin Boringness43100% ev.
Durability70100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost59100% 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 →

$396kTypical home
1%Property tax
$7,181Land / acre
30.3"Annual rain
7.6% of yrsSevere drought
2.8 / yr (+2.7)Mid-century 100°F days
16.6 daysMid-century dry spell
1.81" (+9.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.76×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,171Home insurance / yr
3.5% / yrInsurance growth
0.47%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
183,561People within 30 min
4,650,824People within 2 hr
215,094Radius comparison (15 mi)
236.1People / sq mi
11.1%Federal land
97.1%Land at 15% slope or less
0.8%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
1,777 acWorkable land screen
37.7%Wooded land
42.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
43.8°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Sherburne 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: Becker · Big Lake Township · Blue Hill Township · Clear Lake · Clear Lake Township · Haven Township · Livonia Township · Orrock Township · Palmer Township · Santiago Township · Zimmerman

Answers from the rulebook for Sherburne County

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

Sherburne County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, enlargement, and listed building work in areas where Sherburne County issues permits.

    • A one-story detached accessory structure is exempt when its floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.
    • Other listed exemptions include certain retaining walls, tanks, fences, pools, sidewalks, driveways, playground equipment, awnings, finish work, and low decks.
    • The county does not issue permits for incorporated municipalities or Becker Township.

    detached accessory structure exemption threshold: <= 200 sq ft (one-story detached accessory structures only) · application processing time: >= 10 working days minimum (new homes, additions, basement finishes, decks, pole buildings, garages, and pools)

    “A building permit is required for: A new structure.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Non-agricultural buildings erected or structurally altered in the county zoning jurisdiction.

    • The certificate must be obtained before occupancy, use, or alteration of use.
    • The certificate must state compliance with all law and the ordinance.
    • The ordinance refers to the current Uniform Building Code.
    “A certificate of occupancy shall be obtained before any non-agricultural building hereafter erected or structurally altered is occupied or used”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Sherburne County zoning in unincorporated areas.

    • The ordinance excludes incorporated municipalities, Becker Township, and portions of Haven Township within the Orderly Annexation area.
    • Floodplain and Mississippi Scenic and Recreational River District regulation continues in all unincorporated areas.
    • Road access and road standards apply countywide, including roads within municipal limits.
    “within the unincorporated areas of Sherburne County”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning coverage across Sherburne County; the county ordinance applies in its unincorporated jurisdiction, while incorporated municipalities and specified township areas may administer separate local rules.

    • County zoning excludes Becker Township and portions of Haven Township within the Orderly Annexation area.
    • The county does not administer each incorporated municipality's zoning ordinance.
    “Call your city zoning office if you live inside city limits”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning districts and official zoning map for the county zoning jurisdiction.

    • The ordinance lists Agricultural, General Rural, Urban Expansion, Hamlet, Shoreland Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Floodplain Overlay, Shoreland Overlay, Mississippi Scenic and Recreational River, and related districts.
    • The county ordinance does not apply generally within incorporated municipal limits, Becker Township, or portions of Haven Township within the Orderly Annexation area.
    “For the purpose of this Ordinance, Sherburne County is hereby divided into classes of districts”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Minimum lot and buildable-lot dimensions vary by county zoning district.

    • Agricultural District example: 40 contiguous acres unplatted or 5 contiguous acres platted.
    • Agricultural minimum buildable area is 40,000 contiguous square feet when no public or shared sewage treatment system exists.
    • Other districts and overlay districts have separate dimensional standards.

    Agricultural District unplatted minimum area: 40 contiguous acres · Agricultural District platted minimum area: 5 contiguous acres · Agricultural District minimum buildable area without public/shared sewage: 40000 sq ft

    “Minimum Area 40 contiguous acres – Unplatted 5 contiguous acres - Platted”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Setbacks in county zoning districts and overlays.

    • Agricultural District side and rear setbacks vary based on whether the property abuts agricultural land, lot size, and whether the structure is an accessory structure.
    • Road setbacks are based on road classification under Section 19.1.
    • Shoreland and Mississippi River overlay setbacks may impose additional requirements.

    Agricultural side setback adjacent to agricultural land: 50 feet (other agricultural-district side-yard cases have different standards) · Agricultural rear setback adjacent to agricultural land: 50 feet (other agricultural-district rear-yard cases have different standards)

    “Side Yard Setback 50 feet if abutting agricultural land”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Building height in county zoning districts.

    • Agricultural District dwellings are limited to 35 feet.
    • Agricultural structures have no height restriction in that district.
    • Accessory-structure height varies by lot size.
    • Other districts and overlays have separate standards.

    Agricultural dwelling maximum height: <= 35 feet · Agricultural structure maximum height: no restriction (Agricultural District)

    “Maximum Height: Dwellings: 35 feet Agricultural Structures: No restriction”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle parking or occupancy under the county zoning ordinance.

    • Homeowners storing an RV on their property are outside this subdivision.
    • One RV, excluding mobile homes and park trailers, may be seasonally used on a lot without a permanent dwelling.
    • Only one unit per lot is allowed.
    • Sewage must be treated or hauled away.
    • Use is limited to guests or recreation and no more than 90 days in a calendar year.
    • A current state-law license is required.
    • A guest or visitor RV on property with a permanent dwelling may be occupied no more than 30 days in a calendar year.

    maximum seasonal occupancy without permanent dwelling: <= 90 days/calendar year (guest or recreational use only) · maximum guest/visitor occupancy with permanent dwelling: <= 30 days/calendar year (owned by a non-resident, guest, or visitor)

    “It may not be occupied on any lot for more than 90 days in any calendar year.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    A tiny home used as a detached accessory dwelling unit in Sherburne County areas governed by County Ordinance No. 292.

    • The county ordinance does not define the term tiny home; this claim applies where the tiny home is used as an accessory dwelling unit.
    • An ADU may be permitted only in the Agricultural, General Rural, Urban Expansion, Shoreland, and Hamlet Districts.
    • Only one ADU is permitted on a parcel with a single-family dwelling.
    • The parcel must be homestead or relative homestead and retain that status; the ADU cannot be separated from the parcel with the single-family dwelling.
    • Detached ADUs may be modular, prefabricated, pole barn, or stick built and may not exceed a 1,500-square-foot footprint.
    • On platted lots of 5 acres or less, a detached ADU must be modular or stick built and may not exceed a 1,000-square-foot footprint; it must match the main dwelling's appearance unless located in an accessory structure.
    • Shoreland ADUs must comply with County Shoreland Regulations, and no variances are allowed to those regulations.
    • The applicant must demonstrate sufficient on-parcel parking to avoid street parking.
    • One driveway access is allowed per parcel for the ADU and single-family dwelling unless otherwise approved by the road authority.
    • The ADU must meet the applicable zoning-district setbacks for single-family dwellings; no variance is allowed for nonconforming ADU placement.
    • A building permit and septic permit must be obtained from the Sherburne County Zoning Office, and the ADU must meet state building and septic codes.
    • A separate septic system is allowed only if the applicant demonstrates it will not impede a future alternate septic site for the primary dwelling; an ADU is not allowed on a holding tank.
    • County Ordinance No. 292 was adopted July 14, 2026; the ordinance page states its jurisdiction is unincorporated Sherburne County except Becker Township and portions of Haven Township within the Orderly Annexation area.

    maximum detached ADU footprint: <= 1500 sq. ft. (Detached ADUs on platted lots of 5 acres or less are limited to 1,000 sq. ft.) · maximum detached ADU footprint on platted lots of 5 acres or less: <= 1000 sq. ft. · maximum ADUs per parcel with a single-family dwelling: 1 ADU

    “The jurisdiction of this Ordinance shall apply to all the area of Sherburne County outside the incorporated limits of municipalities with the exception of Becker Township and portions of Haven Township within the Orderly Annexation area. [...] 19.20.1 An ADU may be permitted in the Agricultural, General Rural, Urban Expansion, Shoreland and Hamlet Districts. 19.20.2 Only one (1) ADU is permitted on a parcel with a single-family dwelling. [...] 19.20.6 Building and Septic Code. A building and septic permit for the ADU must be obtained from the Sherburne County Zoning Office and meet state building code and state septic code.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Temporary manufactured-home occupancy under conditional/interim-use provisions.

    • A farm-related temporary year-round manufactured home may be located in addition to a permanent home when the residents' income is derived partly from the farmstead or the majority income is from past association with it.
    • A $5,000 county escrow is required.
    • Travel trailers, RVs, and vehicles modified for living space may not be used as permanent structures or connected to existing water and septic systems for that purpose.
    • A separate family/relative temporary manufactured-home provision requires a parcel of at least five acres with one permanent dwelling and qualifying family or disability circumstances.

    minimum parcel size for family/relative temporary manufactured home: >= 5 acres (must also have one permanent dwelling) · manufactured-home escrow: 5000 USD (farm-related temporary year-round provision)

    “One manufactured home may be temporarily located on a property in addition to a permanent home”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units in the Agricultural, General Rural, Urban Expansion, Shoreland, and Hamlet Districts.

    • Only one ADU is permitted on a parcel with a single-family dwelling.
    • The parcel must maintain homestead or relative-homestead status and the ADU cannot be separated from the parcel.
    • Detached ADUs are subject to construction type and footprint limits, including 1,500 square feet generally and 1,000 square feet on platted lots of five acres or less.
    • Additional Shoreland standards apply.

    maximum ADUs per single-family parcel: 1 unit · detached ADU footprint: <= 1500 sq ft (platted lots of five acres or less are limited to 1,000 sq ft)

    “Only one (1) ADU is permitted on a parcel with a single-family dwelling.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Installation and compliance administration for subsurface sewage treatment systems throughout Sherburne County.

    • The county enforces Minnesota Rules Chapters 7080 through 7083.
    “Sherburne County Planning & Zoning Department enforces Minnesota Rules Chapters 7080 through 7083 throughout Sherburne County.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New septic systems and holding-tank replacements in Sherburne County.

    • A septic design must be submitted to the Zoning Office for approval with the applicable fee.
    • A permit is required to replace a holding tank and a Holding Tank Pumping Contract is also required.
    • A permit is not needed for listed maintenance such as pump replacement, manhole lid replacement, pipe repair, and filter cleaning or replacement.
    “submit the design for approval by the Zoning Office”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation and compliance inspections for septic systems in Sherburne County.

    • The installer must contact the Zoning Office at least 24 hours before inspection.
    • Some systems may have multiple inspections.
    • For property transfers and bedroom additions, the system must be newer than five years or have a passing inspection within the past three years.
    • Other building permit requests, except specified maintenance permits, require a system newer than ten years or a passing inspection within the past ten years.

    inspection notice: >= 24 hours (installer contact with Zoning Office before inspection) · bedroom-addition compliance age: <= 5 years (or passing compliance inspection within previous 3 years) · other-building-permit compliance age: <= 10 years (maintenance permits are excepted)

    “contact the Zoning Office for inspections at least 24 hours ahead of time.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Plats, registered land surveys, administrative subdivisions, and subdivision of a parcel into two or more lots within the subdivision ordinance jurisdiction.

    • The ordinance applies outside incorporated municipalities except Becker Township and the portion of Haven Township under the orderly-annexation agreement.
    • Division into parcels larger than the minimum unplatted parcel size required by the zoning ordinance is exempt.
    • Four types are recognized: administrative subdivision, registered land survey, minor subdivision, and major subdivision.
    “any plat or subdivision of land within the jurisdiction of this Ordinance shall be prepared, presented for approval, and recorded as prescribed herein.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Road access and road standards associated with development in Sherburne County.

    • The zoning ordinance's road-access jurisdiction is countywide, including roads within municipal limits.
    • Specific driveway spacing, permit, and design standards were not extracted.
    “road access and road standards shall be county wide”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in Sherburne County floodplains.

    • Floodplain structures must be elevated above the 100-year flood elevation.
    • Structures must not diminish floodplain carrying and storage capacity.
    • Most structures are not allowed in the floodway.
    • Flood-fringe development generally requires elevation above the regulatory flood protection elevation and a hydraulic study showing fill will not increase or change floodplain boundaries.

    flood standard: 100 year flood elevation (regulatory floodplain standard)

    “Structures to be located in the floodplain must not only be elevated above the 100-year flood elevation”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published county building, septic, planning, and zoning fees.

    • Building permit fees follow the 1997 Uniform Building Code fee table with state surcharge and generally a 65% plan-review fee.
    • New homes also incur separate plumbing plan-review/permit and septic fees.
    • After-the-fact permits are charged double the regular permit cost in the published schedule.
    • Septic fees vary by system type and inspection/site-visit requirements.

    building plan review fee: 65 percent of total permit fees (fixed-fee permits) · new-home valuation basis: 110 USD/sq ft · after-the-fact permit multiplier: 2 times regular permit fee (building, land-use, and septic permits)

    “After-the-Fact building, land use and septic permits | Double the cost of the permit”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County planning, zoning, building, and septic permit process.

    • The county uses an Online Permit / Payment Portal.
    • New homes, additions, basement finishes, decks, pole buildings, garages, and pools take at least 10 working days to process.
    • Septic applicants must use a state-licensed designer and installer and submit the design to the Zoning Office.

    minimum processing time: >= 10 working days (listed building-permit applications)

    “will take at least 10 working days to process.”

Minnesota rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner of residential real estate who personally builds or improves residential real estate in Sherburne County, for contractor-licensing purposes

    • 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 constructing or improving more than one property within any 24-month period is presumed to be building or improving for speculation unless the properties will be retained for rental purposes.
    • This is an exemption from the Minnesota residential contractor licensing requirement, not an exemption from Sherburne County building permits, zoning, septic permits, inspections, or applicable state building codes.
    • Sherburne County states that a building permit is required for a new structure and for altering or enlarging a structure; only listed permit exemptions, including one-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet, are exempt from that permit requirement.

    speculation presumption threshold: > 1 property within any 24-month period (The presumption does not apply if the properties will be retained for rental purposes.)

    “This exemption does not apply to an owner who constructs or improves residential real estate for purposes of resale or speculation.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • 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”
  • 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) — Minnesota State Building Code provisions governing building permit requirements in Sherburne County.
      “The 2020 Minnesota State Building Code is effective March 31, 2020”
  • 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”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Dwelling units and tiny houses constructed in Sherburne County subject to the Minnesota Residential Code

    • The cited state source specifies minimum habitable-room area rather than a single statewide minimum total dwelling floor area.
    • Habitable rooms must be at least 70 square feet and at least 7 feet in any direction, except kitchens.
    • Every dwelling unit must have a water closet, lavatory, tub or shower, and kitchen sink.
    • Tiny houses used as dwelling units must comply with the Minnesota Residential Code unless Appendix Q provides otherwise.

    minimum habitable room area: >= 70 square feet (Except kitchens.) · minimum habitable-room dimension: >= 7 feet

    “Habitable rooms must be at least 70 square feet in area and not less than 7 feet in any direction (except kitchens).”
  • Camping on your landLimited

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

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

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

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

    Agricultural buildings statewide that meet the definition in Minnesota Statutes § 326B.103, subdivision 3.

    • The structure must be on agricultural land as determined by the governing assessor for the municipality or county under section 273.13, subdivision 23.
    • The structure must be designed, constructed, and used to house farm implements, livestock, or agricultural products under section 273.13, subdivision 23.
    • The building must be used by the owner, lessee, and sublessee and members of their immediate families, employees, and persons engaged in pickup or delivery of agricultural products.
    • The State Building Code does not apply except with respect to state inspections required or rulemaking authorized by sections 103F.141, 216C.19, subdivision 9, and 326B.36.
    • Translucent panels or other skylights without raised curbs must be supported to have equivalent load-bearing capacity as the surrounding roof.
    “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. [...] (c) The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except: (1) with respect to state inspections required or rulemaking authorized by sections 103F.141; 216C.19, subdivision 9; and 326B.36; and (2) translucent panels or other skylights without raised curbs shall be supported to have equivalent load-bearing capacity as the surrounding roof.”
  • 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 Sherburne County has no county-wide answer on these. Find your town or city in the list of places on this page, or call its clerk or zoning administrator.

  • Lot coverage
  • Short-term rentals

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.

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 Sherburne County, Minnesota

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

Sherburne County scores 47/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: about 183,561 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Sherburne County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Sherburne County Planning & Zoning Department (SSTS under MN Rules 7080-7083 / MPCA). 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 Sherburne County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Sherburne County is limited to specific cases: Recreational-vehicle parking or occupancy under the county zoning ordinance. Homeowners storing an RV on their property are outside this subdivision. One RV, excluding mobile homes and park trailers, may be seasonally used on a lot without a permanent dwelling. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Sherburne County, Minnesota?

Land in Sherburne County runs about $7,181 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Sherburne County?

Sherburne County gets about 30.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 7.6% of years.

How remote is Sherburne County?

A representative private-land location has about 183,561 people within a 30-minute drive and 4,650,824 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 Sherburne compares in Minnesota

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