Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Nowthen, Minnesota

Nowthen’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Building-code work inside Nowthen city limits.

  • Optional chapters are excepted unless specifically adopted in Chapter 9, section 9-1-1.B.

  “The Minnesota State Building Code, established pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 326B.101, including all of the amendments, rules and regulations established, adopted, and published from time to time by the Minnesota Commissioner of Administration, through the Building Codes and Standards Division is hereby adopted by reference as to the building code for this jurisdiction, excepting of the optional chapters unless specifically adopted in Section 9-1-1.B of this Chapter.”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  A planned-unit-development plan inside Nowthen city limits.

  • The City Council must give final approval of the PUD plan.

  “When the City Council gives final approval, a Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued for the PUD Plan even though the size of lots, depth of yards, and the required distance between grouped buildings and the building height, may not conform in all respects to the regulations of the Rural Residential Agricultural District.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land-use applications inside Nowthen city limits.

  • Applications must comply with the City's Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances.

  “comply with the City's Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Nowthen city limits.

  • The City publishes a City of Nowthen Zoning Map.

  “The City Planning and Zoning Department helps guide Nowthen residents, developers, business owners, and anyone interested in the City of Nowthen.”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  Attached or detached ADUs in the RRA, RRT, and LTA zoning districts inside Nowthen city limits.

  • An administrative permit is required.
  • Only one ADU is permitted per lot.
  • A detached ADU must be at least 20 feet and no more than 350 feet from the principal dwelling.
  • A valid ISTS Certificate of Compliance and well-capacity confirmation are required.
  • The owner must maintain a primary homestead residence in either dwelling.

  maximum ADU gross area: <= 1600 square feet (Includes any attached garage for the ADU.)

  “An attached or detached accessory dwelling unit may be allowed in the RRA, RRT, and LTA Districts upon issuance of an administrative permit, subject to the following standards:”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Subsurface sewage treatment systems inside Nowthen city limits.

  • The program applies to premises not served by a municipal sanitary sewer system.

  “The Designated Building Official or their designee shall be responsible for the administration and issuance of orders, permits, site and system inspections, compliance determinations, investigation of failing systems, notices, drainfield site requirements, and any other duties necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Section and other applicable State laws.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation, construction, alteration, repair, replacement, or enlargement of an SSTS inside Nowthen city limits.

  • A construction permit is separate from a building permit.
  • Minor repairs that do not alter the system's original design, treatment capacity, location, layout, or function are exempt.

  “without first obtaining a construction permit”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  New or replacement SSTS construction inside Nowthen city limits.

  • No part of an SSTS may be covered before inspection and approval.
  • Compliance inspections are also required for enumerated events including a property transfer, development, subdivision, or split.

  “No part of an SSTS shall be covered until it has been inspected and approved by the Designated Building Official, or their designee. If any part of the system is covered prior to inspection and approval, it shall be uncovered at the direction of the Designated Building Official, or their designee.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Premises inside Nowthen city limits that are not served by a municipal sanitary sewer system.

  • Sewage must be treated and dispersed through an approved SSTS complying with the City section, or through an MPCA-permitted sewage treatment system.

  “through an approved Subsurface Sewage Treatment System”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Divisions of land inside Nowthen city limits.

  • Platting is required for divisions involving three or more lots.
  • Minor-subdivision requirements include a certificate of survey, wetland delineation for lots containing ditches or wetlands, and deeds with new legal descriptions for Anoka County recording.

  platting threshold: >= 3 lots

  “required for divisions involving three (3) or more lots”

• Short-term rentalsProhibited

  Accessory dwelling units inside Nowthen city limits.

  • This restriction is limited to ADUs; this record does not resolve other dwelling types.

  “No Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be used as a short term rental.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  New permit applications inside Nowthen city limits.

  • Applicants may use the online platform or submit a PDF application to Rum River Consultants.

  “choose the option to "Apply for a Permit."”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — General residential construction inside Nowthen city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Nowthen city limits.
• Inspections — General building construction inside Nowthen city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Principal dwellings inside Nowthen city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Principal residential lots inside Nowthen 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.