Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Taylors Falls, Minnesota

Taylors Falls’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Taylors Falls city limits.

  • The city identifies a current zoning ordinance approved in 2024.

  “The following Ordinances have been approved in 2024: View: Current Zoning Ordinance”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rentals of dwellings or dwelling units inside Taylors Falls city limits.

  • A city license must be granted before operation.
  • The property must be in a zoning district where the use is permitted or conditional.
  • There is a citywide cap of 20 licenses.
  • Licenses are valid January 1 through December 31.
  • The ordinance was approved November 12, 2024.

  citywide short-term-rental license cap: 20 licenses · minimum separation between short-term-rental parcels: 100 feet (Does not apply in the Rural Countryside zoning district or specified Bench Street mixed-use properties.)

  “A license must be approved prior to operating within the City. [...] There shall be a limit of twenty (20) licenses issued within the City.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City zoning-related permits and land-use applications inside Taylors Falls city limits.

  • The published schedule includes additional per-unit fees for planned unit developments.
  • The schedule’s effective date is February 5, 2026.

  conditional use permit fee: 650 USD · subdivision fee: 650 USD (plus $55 per lot) · driveway access zoning permit fee: 35 USD

  “Conditional Use Permit 650.00 $ [...] Subdivision 650.00 $ plus 55.00 $ per lot [...] Driveway Access 35.00 $”

Rules another office applies inside Taylors Falls

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

• Building permitRequired

  New construction and most remodeling, alteration, and repair work inside Taylors Falls city limits.

  • Chisago County lists Taylors Falls among cities in its building-code enforcement jurisdiction.
  • Demolition permits are also required.

  “Building Permits are required for all new construction”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Building work inside Taylors Falls city limits, where Chisago County enforces the building code.

  • The county page lists Taylors Falls among cities where its office enforces the building code.

  “This office enforces the building code in [...] Taylors Falls.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications for projects inside Taylors Falls city limits.

  • Applicants must contact city zoning staff before applying.
  • Applications are online only; plans and a site map must be uploaded.
  • A site plan is required when the project impacts setbacks, including an addition, deck, or garage.

  “Step 1: Review project with Zoning Administrator for permitting requirements. Step 2: Submit building permit application with Chisago County Environmental Services.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Taylors Falls or Chisago County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Taylors Falls city limits.
• Inspections — Building work inside Taylors Falls city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Taylors Falls city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Principal dwellings inside Taylors Falls city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Taylors Falls 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.