Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Andover, Minnesota

Andover’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, expansion, alteration, remodeling, removal, repair, or demolition of structures inside Andover city limits.

  • Obtain the building permit before beginning construction.

  “Building Permits are required to construct, expand, alter, remodel, remove, repair or demolish a structure.”

• Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  Residential work inside Andover city limits.

  • The statement concerns residential work; property owners and contractors remain responsible for building-code compliance.

  “While commercial work is nearly all permitted and done by professional contractors, residential work may be permitted and done by either a do-it-yourself homeowner or a licensed residential contractor.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction inside Andover city limits.

  • The code includes amendments, rules, and regulations adopted and published from time to time by the Minnesota Commissioner of Labor and Industry.
  • parameters omitted

  “The Minnesota State Building Code, as adopted by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry pursuant to Minnesota Statutes chapter 326B, including all of the amendments, rules and regulations established, adopted and published from time to time by the Minnesota Commissioner of Labor and Industry, through the Building Codes and Standards Unit, is hereby adopted by reference with the optional chapters adopted in this ordinance.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Andover city limits.

  • Planning and Zoning Commission review and City Council approval are required for variances, conditional use permits, comprehensive plan amendments, zoning changes, and site plans.

  “The City Code regulates many aspects of land-use including the type of use, requirements, setbacks, and general standards.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes and manufactured-home parks inside Andover city limits.

  • Manufactured-home parks are allowed only in permitted zoning districts and are subject to city site requirements.
  • parameters omitted

  “The purpose of this chapter is to allow manufactured home parks in permitted zoning districts in the city with appropriate design and site requirements.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Septic systems inside Andover city limits.

  • System work must be performed by an MPCA-licensed septic installer after approved design.
  • parameters omitted

  “The city septic inspector will conduct inspections of the tanks and in ground drainage systems as required.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation or repair of any septic system inside Andover city limits.

  • Any new system, alteration, or repair must be designed by an MPCA-licensed septic designer; after design approval, work must be performed by an MPCA-licensed septic installer.

  “Septic Installation Permits are required to install or repair any septic system.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Tanks and in-ground drainage systems for septic work inside Andover city limits.

  • Inspection is conducted by the city septic inspector as required.

  “The city septic inspector will conduct inspections of the tanks and in ground drainage systems as required.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site septic sanitation inside Andover city limits.

  • A septic installation permit is required; new, altered, and repaired systems require an MPCA-licensed designer and installer as described by the City.

  “Any new septic system, alteration or repair to an existing septic system must be designed by an MPCA licensed Septic Designer.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Connection to the existing municipal water service inside Andover city limits.

  • A permit is required to connect to existing water-service leads at the curb-stop box.
  • parameters omitted

  “A permit must be obtained to connect to the existing water service leads at the curb stop box.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Every principal building inside Andover city limits.

  • An access drive or driveway must meet city minimum standards; special construction requirements apply where the building is 150 feet or more from a thoroughfare or street.

  “An access drive or driveway shall be provided to every principal building and shall be constructed according to the minimum standards of the city.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permits inside Andover city limits.

  • The designated building official determines valuation; the stated minimum fee is $125; plan-review fees apply when a plan is required.
  • parameters omitted

  minimum fee: 125 USD (for the following permits identified in the published fee document)

  “The minimum fee for the following permits is $125”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Andover or Anoka County directly.

• Inspections — Residential construction inside Andover city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of residential buildings inside Andover city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family residential districts inside Andover city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Single-family residential districts inside Andover city limits.
• Setbacks — Single-family residential districts inside Andover city limits.

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.