Bolthole Index

Becker County, Minnesota

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Callaway, Minnesota

Callaway, Minnesota has city-wide zoning; start with City Administration for land-use and building-permit inquiries.12 Callaway requires a building permit for manufactured homes in residential districts, but we could not confirm the complete building-permit workflow for other projects.32 In Becker County’s Callaway city limits, private wastewater systems need a city permit where public sewer is unavailable.4

At a glance

Building permits
Manufactured homes require a building permit; ask City Administration about other projects.32
Zoning
City-wide zoning administered through Callaway City Administration.12
Septic permits
City written permit before private wastewater construction where public sewer is unavailable.4
Public sewer
Future buildings on property adjacent to public sewer must connect immediately.5
Tiny homes
State residential construction standards apply; Callaway occupancy approval remains unconfirmed.62
Owner-builder
Conditional contractor-licensing exemption; resale or speculation excluded.7

Who to call

Zoning

Callaway City Administration — Planning & Zoning

Land-use and building-permit inquiries; city private wastewater permit inquiries

218-375-4691

[email protected]

321 Main Ave. Callaway, MN 56521

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 Callaway means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Callaway, MN?

Callaway expressly requires a building permit and other required approvals for manufactured homes in residential districts.3 For other construction, Callaway publishes a Land Use Application but does not provide a complete building-permit workflow; ask City Administration which approvals your project needs and who serves as the building official.2 Minnesota’s State Building Code supplies the minimum construction standard in Callaway, while local administration and enforcement depend on municipal adoption.8 Where Minnesota’s code is administered and enforced, regulated construction requires the applicable building permit unless an exemption applies.9

Who handles building-permit and zoning questions in Callaway?

Callaway directs planning and zoning inquiries to City Administration at 218-375-4691, at 321 Main Ave. Callaway, MN 56521.10 Use the city’s Land Use Application as the starting point, and ask City Administration to identify the building-permit application, reviewing official, fees and inspection arrangements for your proposed work.2 Callaway’s private wastewater code also requires a written city permit before construction, so include sewer availability and any proposed private system in that conversation.4

Does Callaway have zoning, lot-size rules and housing limits?

Callaway has city-wide zoning, with separate residential, commercial, industrial and rural residential/agricultural district provisions.111 In Callaway’s R-1 Single-Family Residential District, the stated minimum lot area is 10,000 square feet, subject to additional requirements, exceptions and modifications elsewhere in the zoning chapter.12 R-1 structures may not exceed 2 stories or 35 feet, whichever is less, with exceptions for listed structures.13 Each R-1 lot must front on and have access by public right-of-way.14 Ask City Administration to confirm the parcel’s district and applicable setbacks before choosing a building footprint.2

How do septic permits and sewer connections work in Callaway?

Callaway’s sewer code allows a private wastewater disposal system where public sewer is unavailable, subject to city requirements and Minnesota septic standards.15 Before private wastewater construction begins, the owner must obtain a written city permit using the city’s form, supplemented by required plans and specifications.4 Callaway must be notified when the work is ready for final inspection and before underground portions are covered; the code specifies inspection within 24 hours after notice.16 For wastewater-generating structures subject to the sewer-connection provision, public sewer within 200 feet triggers connection within 365 days after the sewer becomes operational; future buildings on adjacent property must connect immediately.5

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Callaway?

We could not confirm Callaway’s rules for living in an RV, temporary camping, accessory dwellings or minimum dwelling size; ask Callaway City Administration about your intended occupancy before buying or moving a unit onto land.2 Minnesota requires tiny houses used as dwellings to meet applicable residential construction standards, while municipal zoning governs placement and other local dimensions.6 Callaway allows manufactured homes in residential districts only when district zoning, building-permit requirements and Minnesota manufactured-home laws are satisfied, with city utility connections required where available.3 That manufactured-home permission does not establish approval for an RV or a tiny house on wheels; obtain a project-specific answer from City Administration.32

Building a home in Callaway: what steps should you take?

  1. Ask Callaway City Administration to confirm the zoning district, land-use application and building-permit route for the parcel.2
  2. Resolve public sewer availability before designing private sanitation: Callaway limits private wastewater systems to locations where public sewer is unavailable and requires a written city permit before construction.174
  3. If acting as your own contractor, confirm that Minnesota’s owner exemption fits your intended occupancy or retained rental ownership; resale or speculation is excluded.7
  4. Arrange the required building inspections and keep permit-required work accessible and exposed until approved.18
  5. Notify Callaway before covering underground portions of a private wastewater system.16

What should you check before buying land in Callaway?

Ask Callaway City Administration to confirm zoning, project approvals and the current fee schedule before committing to a parcel.2 For a proposed private water-supply well, Minnesota generally requires advance notification and a filing fee, with specified exceptions and delegated-program provisions; confirm the applicable route with the Minnesota Department of Health.19 Development and fill in regulated floodplain areas require compliance with the community floodplain ordinance and a floodplain permit.20 A new or modified direct driveway connection to a state highway requires a MnDOT access permit.21 For land outside Callaway city limits, consult the Becker County guide for the county’s separate answers.1

Watch-outs

  • Callaway’s private wastewater permit comes from the city under its code; do not assume the county septic contact replaces city approval.15
  • We could not confirm RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, setbacks or a complete building-permit workflow in Callaway; ask City Administration before relying on a proposed site plan.2

Sources

  1. callawaymn.gov (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  2. callawaymn.gov (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  3. § 151.24 Manufactured Homes (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 51: Sewer Regulations (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  5. Chapter 51: Sewer Regulations (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  6. Tiny Houses and the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. revisor.mn.gov (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  8. Overview of the Minnesota State Building Code (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  9. Minnesota Administrative Rules, Part 1300.0120 — Permits (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Callaway City Administration — Planning & Zoning (callawaymn.gov)
  11. Chapter 151: Zoning (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  12. § 151.21 R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  13. § 151.21 R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  14. § 151.21 R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  15. Chapter 51: Sewer Regulations (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  16. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 51: Sewer Regulations (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  18. 1300.0210 Inspections (Callaway), quoted and re-checked
  19. 2025 Minnesota Statutes, section 103I.205: Well Construction (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Floodplain Regulations (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Access / Driveway Permit (Minnesota statewide rule), 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Callaway

Callaway’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Callaway city limits.

    • The city website states that Callaway has city-wide zoning.
    • The adopted code contains Chapter 151, Zoning.
    “City of Callaway has City Wide Zoning Land Use Application”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Land inside Callaway city limits.

    • The code lists R-1, R-2, manufactured home parks, manufactured homes, C-1, C-2, I, and Rural Residential and Agricultural District provisions.
    • The zoning map itself was not retrieved.
    “151.21 R-1 Single-Family Residential District”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Manufactured homes in residential districts inside Callaway city.

    • The home must comply with all zoning regulations for its district.
    • A building permit and any other required permits must be obtained.
    • The home must comply with Minnesota statutes regulating manufactured homes.
    • Connection to city utilities is required if available.
    “The city authorizes the placement of manufactured homes in residential districts within the city”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Private wastewater disposal systems inside Callaway city.

    • The city code requires a city permit and city inspection for private wastewater disposal systems.
    • Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080 standards also apply.
    “Where a public sewer is not available under the provisions of § 51.018, the building sewer shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of this subchapter and Minn. Rules Ch. 7080, Design Standards for Individual Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems, as they may be amended from time to time.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private wastewater disposal system inside Callaway city where public sewer is unavailable.

    • A written permit signed by the city must be obtained before construction begins.
    • The application must use a city form and include plans, specifications, and other information the city requires.
    “Prior to commencement of construction of a private wastewater disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the city. The application for the permit shall be made on a form furnished by the city, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications and other information as are deemed necessary to the city.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private wastewater disposal system installation inside Callaway city.

    • The city or authorized representative may inspect at any construction stage.
    • The applicant must notify the city when work is ready for final inspection and before underground portions are covered.
    • Inspection is to be made within 24 hours after notice.

    inspection response time: 24 hours (after receipt of notice)

    “The city or its representative shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction, and in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the city when work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 24 hours of the receipt of notice.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid or private wastewater disposal inside Callaway city.

    • Private wastewater disposal is allowed only where public sewer is unavailable under § 51.018.
    • The private system must comply with the city subchapter and Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080.
    • Unlawful natural-outlet discharge remains prohibited unless suitable treatment is provided.
    “It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet any wastewater or other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this chapter and the city's NPDES/SDS permit.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Buildings and properties inside Callaway city that discharge wastewater and are adjacent to a public sanitary sewer.

    • Connection is required within 365 days after the public sewer becomes operational when the sewer is within 200 feet of the wastewater-generating structure.
    • Future buildings on property adjacent to the public sewer must connect immediately.
    • Failure to connect may result in an official ten-day notice.
    • The code does not establish a comparable mandatory public-water connection in the cited provision.

    public sewer distance: <= 200 feet (from the structure generating wastewater) · connection deadline: 365 days (from the date the public sewer is operational; future adjacent buildings must connect immediately)

    “The owners of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes from which wastewater is discharged [...] shall be required at the owner's expense to install a suitable service connection to the public sewer [...] within 365 days of the date the public sewer is operational; provided, the public sewer is within 200 feet of the structure generating the wastewater.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Land-use and building-permit inquiries inside Callaway city.

    • The city directs residents to contact City Administration at 218-375-4691 for planning and zoning information.
    • The city page provides a Land Use Application link but does not publish a complete building-permit workflow.
    “For additional information regarding Planning and Zoning, please contact the City of Callaway Administration”

Rules another office applies inside Callaway

Callaway does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Owner of residential real estate performing residential construction or improvements in Callaway city.

    • The owner must occupy or intend to occupy the property 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.
    • More than one property within any 24-month period creates a presumption of speculation unless the properties are retained for rental.
    “This exemption does not apply to an owner who constructs or improves residential real estate for purposes of resale or speculation.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction in Callaway city under the Minnesota State Building Code.

    • The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry describes the State Building Code as the minimum construction standard throughout Minnesota, including cities.
    • Local enforcement responsibility may depend on municipal adoption and administration.
    “The Minnesota State Building Code is the minimum construction standard throughout all of Minnesota”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permit-required building work in Callaway city.

    • The permit applicant must keep work accessible and exposed until approved.
    • Required inspections include footing, foundation, slab or under-floor, rough-in, framing, energy efficiency, applicable lath or gypsum board, manufactured-home installation, and final inspection.
    • A final inspection is required for all work for which a permit is issued.
    “Construction or work for which a permit is required is subject to inspection by the building official”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District inside Callaway city.

    • The provision is subject to additional requirements, exceptions, and modifications elsewhere in Chapter 151.

    minimum lot area: 10000 square feet (100 by 100 feet)

    “Lot area. 10,000 square feet (100 x 100).”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District inside Callaway city.

    • Height limitations do not apply to listed structures including water towers, chimneys, flag poles, antennae, wind energy conversion systems, church spires, church belfries, church domes without habitable space, and specified support towers.

    maximum height: <= 35 feet (maximum is two stories or 35 feet, whichever is less)

    “No structure shall exceed 2 stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Lots in the R-1 Single-Family Residential District inside Callaway city.

    • Each lot must front on and have ingress and egress by public right-of-way.
    “ingress and egress by means of a public right-of-way”

Still unanswered

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

  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Callaway city.
  • Lot coverage — Lots inside Callaway city.
  • Living in an RV — Occupancy of recreational vehicles as living quarters inside Callaway city.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Callaway city.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Callaway city.
6 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Callaway publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Becker County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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