Zoning, building permits and septic rules in New Germany, Minnesota

New Germany’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within New Germany city limits.

  • The official controls are used to determine the type, location, scale, intensity, and aesthetics of development.

  “The City has an adopted Zoning Map shown on Figure 7.1 and a Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance to implement the Comprehensive Plan.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts within New Germany city limits.

  • The plan identifies R-1, R-2, A, B, I, and P districts.

  “R-1 | Table 7.1 – City of New Germany Zoning Districts None | Single Family Residential | 10,000 square feet | R-2 | Table 7.1 – City of New Germany Zoning Districts None | Multiple Family Residential | 16 dwelling units/acre maximum | A | Table 7.1 – City of New Germany Zoning Districts None | Agricultural | 2 acres | B | Table 7.1 – City of New Germany Zoning Districts None | Business/Commercial | Not applicable | I | Table 7.1 – City of New Germany Zoning Districts None | Industrial | 30,000 square feet | P | Table 7.1 – City of New Germany Zoning Districts None | Parks/Open Space | Not applicable |”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Subsurface sewage treatment systems and municipal sewer service within New Germany city limits.

  • The restriction is stated for systems constructed within the city's jurisdiction.
  • Three farmsteads in the southwest portion of the city are described as served by private individual sewage treatment systems.

  “The City prohibits the construction of these systems within their jurisdiction and requires connection of all residences and businesses within proximity to the sewer system.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Use or construction of subsurface sewage treatment systems within New Germany city limits.

  • The city prohibits construction of SSTS within its jurisdiction.
  • The city identifies three southwest-city farmsteads served by private individual sewage treatment systems.

  “The City prohibits the construction of these systems within their jurisdiction and requires connection of all residences and businesses within proximity to the sewer system. All homes and businesses within proximity of the sewer system are connected. However, there are three farmsteads located in the southwest portion of the city that are served by private individual sewage treatment systems.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

  New development and residences or businesses within proximity to the municipal sewer system inside New Germany city limits.

  • The plan states that sewer connection is required only within proximity to the sewer system.
  • The comprehensive-plan implementation text identifies municipal sanitary sewer and water connection for all new development.

  “2. Connection of all new development to municipal sanitary sewer and water systems.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision development within New Germany city limits.

  • A planned-unit-development subdivision process may allow dimensional variations for projects meeting other community goals and objectives.

  “In addition to the above, the City has adopted a Planned Unit Development subdivision process that allows variations of the dimensional requirements of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances for projects that meet other community goals and objectives.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Lots within New Germany city limits obtaining access from a minor arterial or collector roadway.

  • The permit is from Carver County or MnDOT, as appropriate.
  • A maximum of one access per lot is permitted.
  • The driveway must have a turn-around area to prevent backing onto the roadway.
  • Double-frontage or corner lots must take access from the lower functional-class roadway.

  maximum access points per lot: <= 1 access (Lots obtaining access from a minor arterial or collector roadway)

  “The following standards apply to lots that obtain access from a minor arterial or collector roadway: [...] A maximum of one access per lot shall be permitted. [...] The driveway shall have a turn-around area to prevent backing onto the roadway. [...] An access permit shall be required from the County or MnDOT, as appropriate.”

• Permit processPartial

  City planning, variance, ordinance-amendment, and special-use-permit matters within New Germany city limits.

  • The planning commission reviews and recommends; city-council policy and action guide activity.
  • This source does not provide a complete construction-permit application process.

  “The City of New Germany has directed its Planning Commission to review and make recommendations to the City Council on the Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinances, requests for variances, ordinance amendments, and special use permits.”

Rules another office applies inside New Germany

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

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  A Agricultural District within New Germany city limits.

  minimum lot area: 2 acres

  “A | Table 7.1 – City of New Germany Zoning Districts None | Agricultural | 2 acres |”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — R-1 Single Family Residential District within New Germany city limits.

    “R-1 | Table 7.1 – City of New Germany Zoning Districts None | Single Family Residential | 10,000 square feet |”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Fences in the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts within New Germany city limits.

  fence setback from property line: >= 2 feet

  “R1/R2 Zoning District Limitations [...] b. A fence shall be setback at least (two) 2 feet from the property lines.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask New Germany or Carver County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction within New Germany city limits.
• Building code adopted — Construction within New Germany city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures within New Germany city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings within New Germany city limits.
• Lot coverage — Lots within New Germany 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.