Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Randolph, Minnesota

Randolph’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, improving, converting, or demolishing a building or structure inside Randolph city limits.

  • A separate permit is required for each building or structure.
  • Permits are not required for minor remodeling or alteration work if a record is filed with and approved by the Building Official and the work does not increase physical size, create a room, or alter structural framework.

  “first obtaining a separate building permit”

• InspectionsRequired

  Construction or work requiring a building permit inside Randolph city limits.

  • The Building Official conducts inspections.
  • A final inspection and approval is required when buildings are completed and ready for occupancy.

  “There shall be a final inspection and approval on all buildings when completed and ready for occupancy.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Use or occupancy of a building or structure, including a change in occupancy classification, inside Randolph city limits.

  • The Building Official must issue the certificate as provided in the building code.
  • After final inspection, the building or structure must comply with the building code and an as-built survey must be submitted.

  “No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the Building Official has issued a certificate of occupancy therefor as provided in the building code.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Randolph city limits.

  • The official zoning map is part of the City Zoning Ordinance.

  “This chapter, together with the zoning map required at § 152.05 of this Code, shall be known as the ”City Zoning Ordinance” except as referred to herein, where it shall be known as “this Ordinance” or “this chapter.””

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private wastewater disposal systems inside Randolph city limits.

  • When the listed groundwater-protection or imminent-threat determinations occur, direct public-sewer connection is mandatory on the stated deadline.
  • Decommissioning measures apply within 365 days after either determination.

  “any septic tanks, cesspools and similar private wastewater disposal systems shall be cleaned of sludge”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  A private wastewater disposal system inside Randolph city limits that is deemed nonprotective of groundwater or an imminent public-health or safety threat.

  • A system deemed nonprotective of groundwater under Minn. Rules part 7080.1500 subp. 4(B) must connect to public sewer within ten months.
  • A system deemed an imminent threat under Minn. Rules part 7080.1500 subp. 4(A) must connect within 30 days.
  • Within 365 days, septic tanks, cesspools, and similar systems must be cleaned of sludge; their bottom must be broken for drainage and the tank or pit filled or removed.

  connection deadline for nonprotective system: 10 months (System deemed not protective of groundwater under Minn. Rules part 7080.1500 subp. 4(B).) · connection deadline for imminent threat: 30 days (System deemed an imminent threat to public health or safety under Minn. Rules part 7080.1500 subp. 4(A).)

  “a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Randolph city limits.

  • Subdivision is not allowed unless required storm sewer, sanitary sewer, municipal water supply, streets, and other public improvements are constructed to serve the divided area.
  • An ordinance or statute may specifically authorize a division otherwise.

  “No subdivision of land is allowed unless”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications inside Randolph city limits.

  • Application, plans, and specifications are checked by the Building Official.
  • A permit issues if the work conforms to the building code and pertinent laws and ordinances and required fees have been paid.
  • A permit expires if work does not begin within 180 days or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days.

  commencement or suspension period before expiration: 180 days (Applies if work has not commenced, or after commencement is suspended or abandoned, for that period.)

  “The application, plans, and specifications filed by an applicant for a permit shall be checked by the Building Official. Such plans may be reviewed by other departments of the City to check compliance with the laws and ordinances under their jurisdiction. If the Building Official is satisfied that the work described in an application for permit and the plans filed therewith conform to the requirements of the building code and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified have been paid, he/she shall issue a permit therefor to the applicant.”

Rules another office applies inside Randolph

Randolph 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 sizeSpecified

  Rural Residential and Agricultural District inside Randolph city limits.

  • Upland means land above the 100-year flood elevation or non-wetland.
  • The listed requirements are subject to additional requirements, exceptions, and modifications in the zoning chapter.

  minimum lot area: 2.5 acres of upland area (Upland is land above the 100-year flood elevation or non-wetland.) · minimum lot width: 200 feet · minimum lot depth: 300 feet

  “Lot area. A minimum of two and one-half acres of upland area, upland being land above the 100-year flood elevation or non-wetland. (2) Lot width. A minimum of 200 feet. (3) Lot depth. A minimum of 300 feet.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Rural Residential and Agricultural District inside Randolph city limits.

  • The limitation does not apply to water towers, chimneys, flag poles, antennae, wind energy conversion systems, church spires, church belfries, or church domes not containing habitable space.

  maximum structure height: <= 35 feet (No structure may exceed two stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.) · maximum stories: <= 2 stories (No structure may exceed two stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.)

  “No structure shall exceed two stories or 35 feet, whichever is less. Height limitations shall not apply to water towers, chimneys, flag poles, antennae, wind energy conversion systems, church spires, church belfries or church domes not containing habitable space.”

• Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

  Manufactured homes in the R-1 Residential District inside Randolph city limits.

  • The home must comply with district zoning regulations.
  • A building permit and any other required permits must be obtained.
  • The home must comply with state manufactured-home laws.
  • Connection to city utilities is required if available.

  “Manufactured homes which must meet the following standards”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Lots in the Rural Residential and Agricultural District inside Randolph city limits.

  • The lot must front on and have ingress and egress by public right-of-way.

  “Access. All lots shall front on and have 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 Randolph or Dakota County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Randolph city limits.
• Building code adopted — Buildings inside Randolph city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwelling units inside Randolph city limits.
• Lot coverage — Land inside Randolph city limits.
• Living in an RV — Residential occupancy in a recreational vehicle on private land inside Randolph 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.