Bolthole Index

Fillmore County, Minnesota

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Fillmore County, Minnesota

74Index Score / 100
#13 of 87 in Minnesota

Fillmore County, Minnesota requires a county land-use permit before covered construction, although general structural building-code review and inspections remain unconfirmed1. The county administers zoning and septic, while a township with its own zoning ordinance may also require approval234. Permanent use of an RV as a dwelling is prohibited where the county ordinance applies5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before covered construction; general structural-code enforcement remains unconfirmed1
Zoning
County zoning applies outside incorporated limits, with separate township approval where applicable24
Septic
The county administers septic; new and replacement SSTS need a permit and compliance inspection367
Permanent RV living
Prohibited where the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance applies5
Tiny home
No direct county tiny-home occupancy rule was confirmed; ask the Land Use Department8
Owner-builder
A qualifying owner may be exempt from contractor licensing, but county permits still apply9
Agricultural exception
Only portable agricultural buildings on skids have the stated building-permit exception10
Minimum lot size
District-specific: 2.5 buildable acres in Agricultural and 10,000 square feet for an R-1 single-family lot1112

Who to call

Building permits

Fillmore County Land Use Department

County land-use permits, planning and zoning, floodplain and shoreland rules, septic systems and feedlots

507-765-3325

Courthouse, 101 Fillmore Street PO Box 466 Preston, MN 55965

Planning & zoning

Fillmore County Land Use Department

Published application, permit-duration, setback and septic guidance

507-765-3325

101 Fillmore Street Preston, MN 55965

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Fillmore County, Minnesota?

Fillmore County requires a zoning or land-use permit before erecting, installing, altering, converting, moving or demolishing covered structures13. The county permit is not proof of general structural plan review, building inspections or a certificate of occupancy; ask the Land Use Department who administers those requirements for the project8. The stated agricultural exception is narrow: a portable agricultural building must be placed on skids, while other agricultural work may still face land-use rules1014. A fee is due with the application under the schedule posted in the Zoning Administrator’s office15.

Who issues Fillmore County building and land-use permits?

Start with the Fillmore County Land Use Department at the courthouse in Preston; the office is open weekdays and can be reached at 507-765-33258. The department handles county land-use permitting and oversees planning, zoning, floodplain, shoreland, septic and feedlot matters8. Applications may be mailed, and the county does not accept credit or debit cards16. A complete ordinary application typically takes 1–2 days, while a conditional-use permit or variance generally requires notice and a public hearing within a 60-day process17. Significant construction must begin within one year, and the structure must be ready for its permitted purpose within two years1.

Does Fillmore County have zoning?

Fillmore County zoning covers land, structures and waters outside incorporated municipal limits, and it can apply inside a municipality that adopts the county ordinance2. A township with its own zoning ordinance must supply a permit, resolution or other approval before the county application is complete4. Lot rules depend on the district: an Agricultural dwelling needs 2.5 buildable acres; an R-1 single-family lot needs 10,000 square feet and an R-1 two-family lot needs 15,000 square feet1112. Shoreland uses follow the underlying district’s lot area plus shoreland standards18. Agricultural setbacks include 73 feet from the road center and 10 feet from a property line; R-1 setbacks and residential height limits differ1920.

How do septic permits work in Fillmore County?

Fillmore County administers septic systems and related land-use controls3. New and replacement subsurface sewage treatment systems require an approved construction permit before work begins and an independent compliance inspection by an authorized employee or licensed inspection business67. In the Shoreland Overlay District, a sewage-system inspection certificate is also required before a building-permit, variance or rezoning application and before recording a transfer of developed property; a nonconforming system must be corrected within 90 days21. Only 9.9% of county soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, and the county says better soil improves the chance of a traditional in-ground system2216.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Fillmore County?

A trailer or recreational camping vehicle cannot serve as a permanent dwelling where the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance applies5. County campground rules do not answer whether occasional camping is allowed on an individual private parcel: regulated campgrounds need a conditional-use permit, must close during December, January and February, and cannot discharge RV wastewater onto the ground23. We could not confirm a specific tiny-home category, so ask the Land Use Department how the unit’s foundation, width, utilities and zoning district affect approval8. A manufactured-home park is limited to R-1, needs a conditional-use permit and has specific lot, setback, coverage and construction standards2425.

Building a home in Fillmore County: the steps in order

  1. Ask the Land Use Department to identify the district, overlays and any separate township approval264.
  1. Check the district’s lot area, setbacks, coverage and height standards before drawing the site plan12192720.
  1. Evaluate soils and obtain the SSTS construction permit before septic work begins622.
  1. Confirm utility plans; a planned unit development must connect to public water and sewer when available, while a manufactured-home park has MPCA-reviewed systems2829.
  1. Submit scaled plans, required information and the fee, and wait for the county land-use permit1715.
  1. Obtain county-road access review where applicable; driveways must be at least 12 feet wide, while an R-1 access drive may not exceed 22 feet3031.

What should you check before buying land in Fillmore County?

Confirm jurisdiction first because township zoning can add an approval before the county application is complete4. Check the district and every overlay rather than relying on acreage alone; shoreland lot area follows the underlying district, with added shoreland standards2618. Ask whether a proposed split triggers subdivision review, because subdivisions are conditional uses in R-1 and other standards may apply32. Verify driveway location early because county-road access review considers sight distance and road speed30. Budget cautiously for septic because only 9.9% of county soils lack severe conventional-drain-field limitations22. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.9%, and the median annual bill is about $1,9323334.

Watch-outs

  • A township with its own zoning ordinance may require separate approval before the county application is complete4.
  • Permanent RV dwelling use is prohibited where county zoning applies; campground rules do not establish a right to camp on an individual private parcel523.
  • Fillmore County structural building-code inspections and certificate-of-occupancy requirements remain unconfirmed; ask the Land Use Department who has jurisdiction before construction8.
  • Floodplain development must meet the county overlay standards and may require a qualified engineer or hydrologist’s evaluation35.

Sources

  1. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  2. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  3. Fillmore County Land Use, quoted and re-checked
  4. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  5. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  6. Minnesota Rules 7082.0500: Permit Program for SSTS, quoted and re-checked
  7. Minnesota Rules 7082.0700: Inspection Program for SSTS, quoted and re-checked
  8. Fillmore County Land Use Department (co.fillmore.mn.us)
  9. Sec. 326B.805 MN Statutes (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  11. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  12. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  13. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  14. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  15. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  16. Fillmore County Land Use Department (co.fillmore.mn.us)
  17. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  18. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  19. Zoning FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  20. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  21. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  23. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  24. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  25. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  26. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  27. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  28. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  29. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  30. Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  31. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  32. 2024 Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  33. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  34. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Fillmore County Land Use, quoted and re-checked

Written September 29, 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.

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County locator

Fillmore County in Minnesota

74
County map
Fillmore County highlighted among the Minnesota counties · colored by Index score

How Fillmore County scores

Seclusion59100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency63100% ev.
Admin Boringness56100% ev.
Durability62100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost66100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$292kTypical home
0.9%Property tax
$5,919Land / acre
36.8"Annual rain
5.2% of yrsSevere drought
1.5 / yr (+1.5)Mid-century 100°F days
15.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.9" (+13%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.75×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,748Home insurance / yr
4% / yrInsurance growth
0.51%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
19,910People within 30 min
1,266,858People within 2 hr
18,097Radius comparison (15 mi)
25People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
86.1%Land at 15% slope or less
9.9%Septic soil without severe limits
49,328 acWorkable land screen
20.7%Wooded land
45.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
44.7°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Fillmore County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Fillmore County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Buildings, structures, and uses in areas regulated by the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance.

    • A zoning permit is required before erecting, installing, altering, converting, moving, or demolishing covered structures.
    • The ordinance terms must be met before issuance.
    • Applications require plans, required information, fees, and late fees if applicable.
    • Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids are exempt from a building permit under the stated exception.
    “A zoning permit shall be obtained prior to erecting, installing, altering, converting, moving any building or structure or part thereof, or demolition of any historically significant structure, within areas regulated by this Ordinance in Fillmore County.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Buildings and structures within areas regulated by the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance.
      “A zoning permit shall be obtained prior to erecting, installing, altering, converting, moving any building or structure or part thereof, or demolition of any historically significant structure, within areas regulated by this Ordinance in Fillmore County. Before a zoning permit is issued, the terms of this Ordinance shall be met.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Land, structures, and waters in Fillmore County outside incorporated municipal limits, except incorporated municipalities that adopt the county ordinance.

    • The ordinance may apply within an incorporated municipality if that municipality adopts the County Zoning Ordinance.
    • More restrictive requirements imposed by another law, ordinance, statute, resolution, or regulation prevail.
    “The jurisdiction of this Ordinance shall apply to all the area of Fillmore County outside the incorporated limits of municipalities, except for those incorporated municipalities who adopt the County Zoning Ordinance stating the regulations set forth in this document apply within their incorporated boundaries.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    County aggregate of zoning controls administered by the county and any township or municipal zoning authorities; the county ordinance expressly requires township documentation where a township has enacted zoning.

    • This is an aggregate county claim and does not mean Fillmore County administers every municipal or township ordinance.
    • For townships that have enacted zoning ordinances, a township permit, resolution, or other approval documentation is required with the county application.
    “For those townships which have enacted Zoning Ordinances, an application is not complete until the applicant provides a township permit, resolution or other documentation which certifies that the township has approved the application.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    County zoning districts and overlay districts listed in the 2024 ordinance.

    • The ordinance lists Agricultural, Residential Agricultural, Single and Two-Family Residential, General Commercial, General Industrial, Planned Unit Development, Flood Plain, Scenic Trail, Shoreland, Blufflands, and Decorah Shale districts or overlays.
    “SECTION 6 - Zoning Districts and Provisions [...] 604 - Agricultural District (A) [...] 610 - Flood Plain District (FP) [...] 614 - Decorah Shale (DS)”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lots in the Single and Two-Family Residential (R-1) District and other districts whose standards are separately stated.

    • The cited standards apply to R-1 residential lots.
    • Other districts and overlays may impose different standards.

    single-family minimum lot area: >= 10000 square feet · two-family minimum lot area: >= 15000 square feet

    “The minimum lot area shall be ten thousand (10,000) square feet for single and fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet for two family residences.”
    7 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Dwellings in Fillmore County's Agricultural (Ag) District.
      “Dwellings and accessory structures shall not be permitted in areas classified as wetlands, floodplain, and other areas of poor drainage. All dwellings constructed must adhere to the Bluffland and Shoreland Ordinances and be reviewed for Decorah Shale Outcroppings. There shall be a minimum buildable lot size of 2.5 acres or more.”
    • Specified — Lots in Fillmore County's Residential Agricultural (RA) District.
      “Each lot shall have an area of not less than one (1) acre, except when additional lot area is required as determined by the County Planning Commission to meet water treatment and safety standards. Each lot shall have a minimum width of one hundred fifty (150) feet at the front building line.”
    • Specified — Residential lots in Fillmore County's Single and Two-Family Residential (R-1) District.
      “The minimum lot area shall be ten thousand (10,000) square feet for single and fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet for two family residences. The minimum lot area shall be fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet, plus two thousand (2,000) square feet per dwelling multi-family structures that shall apply to each unit above two. Each lot shall have a minimum width of seventy (70) feet at the front building line.”
    • None — Permitted uses in Fillmore County's General Commercial (B-1) District.
      “For all permitted uses in the B-1 District there are no minimum requirements for front, side or rear yards, lot coverage, lot area or frontage. However, if such use falls within any overlay district, the performance standards in the following sections will apply:”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lots within Fillmore County's Shoreland (SH) District.
      “1) Lot Area-Refer to the Underlying District. 2) Lot Width for Public Waters by Classification (in feet).”
    • Specified — Dwellings in the Agricultural District.
      “There shall be a minimum buildable lot size of 2.5 acres or more.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lots in the Fillmore County Shoreland District; lot-area standards depend on the underlying zoning district.
      “Lot Area-Refer to the Underlying District.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Setbacks under county zoning districts, including Agricultural and R-1 standards.

    • Agricultural District structures must be 73 feet from the center of a road and 10 feet from a property line.
    • R-1 standards include 30-foot front, 10-foot side, and 10-foot rear setbacks.
    • Overlay districts can impose additional standards.

    Agricultural District road setback: 73 feet from road center · Agricultural District property-line setback: 10 feet · R-1 front setback: >= 30 feet · R-1 side setback: >= 10 feet · R-1 rear setback: >= 10 feet

    “There shall be a minimum interior side yard setback of ten (10) feet. There shall be a rear yard of not less than ten (10) feet in depth.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Structures and dwellings in county zoning districts, with district-specific setbacks.
      “In the Agricultural District, all structures must be setback 73 feet from the center of any road and 10 feet from any property line.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lot-coverage controls for manufactured-home sites and accessory buildings.

    • Manufactured-home site coverage may not exceed 50 percent.
    • Accessory buildings may not occupy more than 10 percent of the lot area.
    • Other districts may have different or additional standards.

    manufactured-home site coverage: <= 50 percent · accessory-building lot area: <= 10 percent

    “The area occupied by a manufactured home shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total area of a manufactured home site;”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Accessory buildings in residential districts governed by the county ordinance.
      “No accessory building shall exceed one (1) story or fifteen (15) feet in height and shall not occupy more than ten (10) percent of the lot area.”
    • Specified — Manufactured-home park lots.
      “The area occupied by a manufactured home shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total area of a manufactured home site; land may be occupied by a manufactured home, a vehicle, a building, a cabana, a carport, an awning, and storage closet.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Building heights in county zoning districts.

    • Residential dwellings in the cited districts may not exceed 35 feet.
    • Public or semi-public buildings, churches, cathedrals, temples, or schools may reach 55 feet under the stated conditions.
    • Accessory buildings have separate standards.

    residential dwelling height: <= 35 feet · public or semi-public building height: <= 55 feet (setback requirements increase one foot for each foot above 35 feet)

    “No residential buildings used for dwellings shall hereafter be erected or structurally altered to exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Accessory buildings in residential districts.
      “No accessory building shall exceed one (1) story or fifteen (15) feet in height”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Permanent dwelling use of a trailer or recreational camping vehicle in areas subject to the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance.

    • Section 401 limits the county ordinance to areas outside incorporated municipal limits, except incorporated municipalities that adopt the county ordinance.
    • A basement portion of a finished home or apartment may be used for normal eating and sleeping purposes if it is properly damp-proofed, has suitable fire protection and exits, and is otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
    • The permanent-foundation and minimum-width requirements in Section 707 apply to dwellings in the RA and R-1 districts, with an exception for manufactured homes.

    permanent dwelling occupancy: prohibited (Basement portion of a finished home or apartment is subject to the stated approval and safety conditions.)

    “No basement, garage, tent, trailer, recreational camping vehicles or accessory building shall be used as a permanent dwelling.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Campgrounds and recreational camping regulated by Fillmore County.

    • Establishment or expansion of a campground requires a conditional-use permit.
    • Campgrounds must provide satisfactory water, toilet, and refuse-disposal facilities under state statutes and Minnesota Department of Health rules.
    • Campgrounds must close at least during December, January, and February, and no person may occupy a recreational camping vehicle, tent, or camping cabin while closed.
    • Recreational camping vehicles may not discharge wastewater onto the ground.
    • Campground buildings and recreational-vehicle campsites must be outside the floodplain, though tent campsites may be in a floodplain.
    • New campgrounds must be set back 1,000 feet from existing dwellings unless part of an incorporated city.

    winter closure: December through February (campgrounds must be closed at least during these months) · new campground setback: 1000 feet (unless part of an incorporated city)

    “All campgrounds located in Fillmore County must be closed at least during the months of December, January and February. During the time a campground is closed, no person shall occupy any recreational camping vehicle, tent, or camping cabin.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured-home parks and manufactured homes within those parks.

    • A manufactured-home park may be established only in the R-1 District.
    • A conditional-use permit is required to establish and operate the park.
    • Manufactured-home lots require at least 5,000 square feet, 50 feet of width, and 10-foot setbacks.
    • All structures placed in the park require a permit.
    • Manufactured homes must meet applicable state, federal, and specified construction standards.

    minimum manufactured-home lot area: >= 5000 square feet · minimum manufactured-home lot width: >= 50 feet · manufactured-home lot setbacks: >= 10 feet · maximum manufactured-home site coverage: <= 50 percent

    “A Conditional Use Permit is required to establish and operate a manufactured home park within the County.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Subsurface sewage treatment systems in Fillmore County, under Minnesota statewide standards administered through the applicable local unit of government.

    • Minnesota requires local units of government to enforce local SSTS ordinances through permitting programs; state rules establish minimum requirements.
    • The county septic page provides an SSTS permit application and related compliance forms, but the opened page did not itself expressly identify the administering office in words.
    “Local units of government shall enforce local ordinances that regulate SSTS through permitting programs that meet the minimum requirements of this chapter.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County — Administration of septic systems and related land-use controls in Fillmore County.
      “The Land Use Department oversees all phases of planning and zoning activities in Fillmore County including the development, coordination and enforcement of the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance, which includes floodplain and shore land rules and regulations, septic systems, and the Fillmore County Feedlot Ordinance.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Sewage-treatment-system inspections in the Shoreland Overlay District and certain property transfers.

    • In the Shoreland Overlay District, a certificate of inspection from a certified sewage-treatment-system installer is required before a building-permit, variance, or rezoning application.
    • The certificate is also required before recording a transfer of property on which a structure exists.
    • The county may conduct the inspection at the owner's option.
    • The owner pays a fee established by the County Board.
    • A nonconforming system must be brought into conformance within 90 days.

    compliance period: 90 days (after a nonconforming system is identified)

    “A property owner will be required to submit a Certificate of Inspection from a certified sewage treatment system installer indicating whether the treatment system conforms to MPCA 7080 rules. This shall be done prior to the owner’s making application for a building permit, requesting a variance, or a rezoning.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Manufactured homes located in a manufactured-home park.

    • The water and sewer systems must conform to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards.
    • The park's water and sewer plans must be approved by the MPCA.
    “All manufactured homes shall be properly connected to the community water system and sanitary sewer system in conformance to standards adopted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Planned unit developments governed by the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance.
      “Planned unit developments must be connected to publicly owned water supply and sewer systems, if available.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable

    Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids.

    • The exemption is limited to portable agricultural buildings placed on skids.
    • Temporary manufactured/mobile homes used as offices or tool storage may remain only during construction and must be removed within 30 days after completion.

    removal deadline: 30 days (temporary manufactured/mobile homes used during construction)

    “Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids shall also be exempt from obtaining a building permit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Specified agricultural construction and paving activities.
      “A permit shall not be required for: [...] b. Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids. [...] c. Concrete or blacktop poured for Agricultural Uses when the total of existing attached concrete plus the newly poured concrete is less than 160 total square feet.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivisions listed as conditional uses in the county's Single and Two-Family Residential District.

    • The cited evidence establishes subdivision treatment as a conditional use in the R-1 district; additional subdivision standards may apply under floodplain and other overlay provisions.
    “606.03. Conditional Uses [...] 12) Subdivisions.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Lots and parcels containing principal structures and access drives in Fillmore County.

    • Access drives onto county roads require review and approval by the County Engineer or Assistant County Engineer, the Zoning Administrator, and the County Board of Commissioners.
    • Access-drive location is evaluated using sight distance, road speeds, and other factors.
    • Principal-structure access drives must support emergency and fire vehicles.
    • All driveways must be at least 12 feet wide.

    minimum driveway width: >= 12 feet (All driveways)

    “All driveways shall have a minimum width of twelve (12) feet with road strength capable of supporting emergency and fire vehicles.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in the Flood Plain overlay district and other sites subject to county floodplain controls.

    • The county ordinance includes a Flood Plain overlay district.
    • Structures must comply with applicable floodplain regulations.
    • Public utilities and facilities in the floodplain must be floodproofed under the State Building Code or elevated to the regulatory flood-protection elevation.
    • Floodplain development may require qualified-engineer or hydrologist evaluations under the stated standards.
    “All public utilities and facilities such as gas, electrical, sewer, and water supply systems to be located in the floodplain must be floodproofed in accordance with the State Building Code or elevated to the regulatory flood protection elevation.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Fillmore County zoning-permit fees.

    • A fee is due when the permit application is submitted.
    • The fee schedule is adopted by the Board of Commissioners and posted in the Zoning Administrator’s office.
    • The Board of Commissioners may alter or amend the schedule.
    “Fees shall be determined by the use of a fee schedule that shall be adopted by the Board of Commissioners, shall be posted in the office of the Zoning Administrator and shall be altered or amended only by the Board of Commissioners.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Variable (with conditions) — County zoning and land-use permit fees.
      “Fees shall be determined by the use of a fee schedule that shall be adopted by the Board of Commissioners”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning and land-use permit applications.

    • Application is made to the Zoning Administrator on county forms.
    • Applications require scaled plans, required information, fees, and late fees if applicable.
    • Complete applications generally receive a permit in about 1-2 days.
    • Land-use permits are valid for one year and may be extended for one additional year when significant construction has occurred.
    • A further extension requires waiting 90 days after expiration and completing a new application.
    • CUPs and variances typically require a 60-day process involving notice, publication, and a public hearing.

    ordinary permit processing time: 1-2 days (provided the application is complete) · land-use permit validity: 1 year (one additional year may be allowed if significant construction has occurred) · CUP or variance process: 60 days (typically)

    “Provided the application is complete it takes about 1-2 days for you to receive the permit.”

Minnesota rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner of residential real estate who personally builds or improves residential real estate, as an exemption from the residential contractor licensing requirement.

    • The owner must occupy or intend to occupy the residential real estate 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.
    • An owner is presumed to be building or improving for speculation if the owner constructs or improves more than one property within any 24-month period, unless the properties will be retained for rental purposes.
    • This is a contractor-licensing exemption and does not waive applicable building permits, inspections, or certificates of occupancy.

    speculation presumption threshold: > 1 additional property within 24 months (The presumption does not apply if the properties will be retained by the owner for rental purposes.)

    “The license requirement does not apply to: [...] an owner of residential real estate who builds or improves residential real estate”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the Minnesota State Building Code throughout Minnesota.

    • The State Building Code supersedes the building code of any municipality.
    • The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except for the state inspections and rulemaking identified in Minnesota Statutes section 326B.121, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (1), and the structural-support requirement for translucent panels or other skylights without raised curbs in clause (2).
    • The 2020 Minnesota State Building Code is effective March 31, 2020, except the Minnesota Mechanical Fuel Gas Code, which is effective April 6, 2020.
    • Municipal enforcement generally requires adoption by local ordinance, subject to statutory requirements for certain municipalities and statutory enforcement responsibilities where no adoption ordinance is in effect.
    • The 2024 Minnesota Commercial Energy Code is effective January 5, 2024.
    • Requirements for adult changing stations are effective August 15, 2025, and requirements for window-cleaning safety features are effective November 7, 2025, according to the Department of Labor and Industry update page.

    2020 Minnesota State Building Code effective date: 2020-03-31 (Minnesota Mechanical Fuel Gas Code effective 2020-04-06) · 2024 Minnesota Commercial Energy Code effective date: 2024-01-05 · Adult changing station supplement effective date: 2025-08-15 · Window-cleaning safety feature supplement effective date: 2025-11-07

    “(a) The State Building Code is the standard that applies statewide for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the code.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction or work for which a Minnesota State Building Code permit is required.

    • The work must remain accessible and exposed until approved.
    • The permit applicant must cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection.
    • The building official identifies required inspections; the permit holder must maintain the inspection record card until final approval.
    • Work may not proceed beyond each successive inspection point without building-official approval; noncomplying portions must be corrected and may not be covered or concealed until authorized.
    “Construction or work for which a permit is required is subject to inspection by the building official”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of most Minnesota SSTS, with construction permits issued by the applicable county, city, or township; large SSTS require MPCA permitting.

    • Local authority and local ordinance requirements vary.
    • Large SSTS designed for a flow greater than 10,000 gallons per day must be permitted by MPCA.
    • Local government units may adopt stricter requirements.

    large SSTS design flow: > 10000 gallons per day (Systems at or below this threshold are generally reviewed and permitted by counties, cities, or townships.)

    “Counties, cities, and townships review designs and issue construction permits for most SSTS in Minnesota, but large sub-surface sewage treatment systems (LSTS) — designed to manage a flow of greater than 10,000 gallons a day — must be permitted by the MPCA”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New construction and replacement subsurface sewage treatment systems in Minnesota, including Fillmore County.
      “Permits must be required for all new construction and replacement.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Primitive dwellings using toilet-waste treatment devices in low dwelling-density areas, and privies governed by Minnesota SSTS rules.

    • Septage disposal by the owner must follow local ordinances.
    • If no local ordinance exists, septage must not be discharged to surface waters, drainageways, steeply sloping areas, or wet areas in a manner or volume harmful to the environment or public health or that creates a nuisance.
    • Material must be buried or covered with soil.
    • If site conditions do not meet the rule, solids disposal must be performed under the applicable rule by a licensed maintenance business.
    • Privy solids must be removed when the privy is filled to one-half capacity.
    • Abandoned pits must have sewage solids and contaminated soil removed and be filled with clean earth and slightly mounded.

    privy solids removal threshold: 50 percent capacity

    “For primitive dwellings using toilet waste treatment devices in low dwelling density areas, septage disposal from these devices by the owner must be in accordance with local ordinances. If no ordinance exists, the septage must not be discharged to surface waters, drainageways, steeply sloping areas, or wet areas in a manner or volume that is harmful to the environment or public health or that creates a nuisance. The material must be buried or covered with soil.”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    County planning and zoning authority over unincorporated areas of Minnesota.

    • The authority applies to a county having less than 300,000 population according to the 1950 federal census.
    • The statute authorizes county planning and zoning activities generally within the qualifying counties; it does not identify a separate unincorporated-area limitation in this section.
    • Except as otherwise provided, a county regardless of population must not enact, amend, or enforce an ordinance eliminating or terminating a lawful use by amortization.
    • The amortization prohibition does not apply to adults-only bookstores, adults-only theaters, or similar adults-only businesses as defined by ordinance.
    • The amortization subdivision does not prohibit nuisance-prevention or nuisance-abatement enforcement or elimination of a use determined to be a public nuisance without payment of compensation.

    population threshold: < 300000 persons (According to the 1950 federal census)

    “having less than 300,000 population according to the 1950 federal census is authorized to carry on county planning and zoning activities.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for buildings in Fillmore County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor-area requirements for dwellings in Fillmore County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy on private land in Fillmore County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in Fillmore County.
  • Well permit — Private wells in Fillmore County.
1 more unanswered
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Living off-grid in Fillmore County, Minnesota

Is Fillmore County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Fillmore County scores 74/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop.

Do you need a building permit in Fillmore County, Minnesota?

Fillmore County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Fillmore County Zoning / Land Use Office (SSTS program under MPCA Minn. Rules 7080-7083). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Fillmore County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Fillmore County is prohibited: Permanent dwelling use of a trailer or recreational camping vehicle in areas subject to the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance. Section 401 limits the county ordinance to areas outside incorporated municipal limits, except incorporated municipalities that adopt the county ordinance. A basement portion of a finished home or apartment may be used for normal eating and sleeping purposes if it is properly damp-proofed, has suitable fire protection and exits, and is otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Fillmore County, Minnesota?

Land in Fillmore County runs about $5,919 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Fillmore County?

Fillmore County gets about 36.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 5.2% of years.

How remote is Fillmore County?

A representative private-land location has about 19,910 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,266,858 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Fillmore County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Fillmore compares in Minnesota

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