Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Harmony, Minnesota

Harmony’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erection, moving, additions, or structural alteration of buildings or structures inside Harmony city limits.

  • Permit must be issued by the Administrative Official before starting or proceeding.
  • The permit must conform to the zoning ordinance unless a written order from the board of adjustment or City Council authorizes an administrative review, variance, or special exception.

  “No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a permit therefor, issued by the Administrative Official.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Building-sewer construction and connection work inside Harmony city limits.

  • Applicant must notify the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer when ready for inspection.
  • No backfill may be placed until the work is inspected and approved or certification is received.
  • The City code makes the Building Official supervise connection if the city has adopted the State Building Code; otherwise the Wastewater Treatment Manager or designated city official performs inspection.

  “The applicant shall notify the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer when the building sewer and connection is ready for inspection.”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  New, altered, changed, converted, or enlarged building or premises uses inside Harmony city limits.

  • The certificate is a certificate of zoning compliance issued by the Administrative Official.
  • A temporary certificate may be issued for no more than six months during alterations or partial occupancy, with conditions and safeguards.
  • The certificate is issued upon completion of work in conformity with the ordinance.

  temporary certificate duration: <= 6 months (During alterations or partial occupancy pending completion)

  “It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a certificate of zoning compliance shall have been issued therefor by the Administrative Official stating that the proposed use of the building or land conforms to the requirements of this ordinance.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Harmony city limits.

  • District regulations apply uniformly to structures and land in their respective districts.

  “This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the City of Harmony, Minnesota, Zoning Ordinance of 1976.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Harmony city limits.

  • The Official Zoning Map is the final authority as to current zoning status of land, water areas, buildings, and structures.
  • The ordinance identifies Agricultural, Residential-1, Residential-2, Commercial, and Industrial district regulations.

  “The City is hereby divided into zones, or districts, as shown on the Official Zoning Map which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this ordinance.”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  Recreational vehicles used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping inside Harmony city limits.

  • On a residential lot or location not approved for the use, living, sleeping, or housekeeping use is limited to 72 hours.
  • Otherwise recreational vehicles used for dwelling or sleeping must be located in a lawfully operated mobile-home park or recreational-vehicle park.
  • The §605.8 exception applies.

  temporary occupancy limit: <= 72 hours (When parked or stored on a residential lot or location not approved for that use)

  “No major recreational equipment shall be stored on any public street; provided, however, that such equipment may be parked anywhere on a public street for not to exceed twenty- four (24) hours during loading and unloading, and may be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored on a residential lot, or in any location not approved for such use for a period not to exceed 72 hours.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private wastewater disposal systems inside Harmony city limits where public sewer is not available under §52.18.

  • The private system must comply with Chapter 52 and Minnesota Rules chapter 7080.
  • Additional MPCA or Minnesota Department of Health requirements may apply.

  “Where a public sewer is not available under the provisions of §52.18, the building sewer shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of this subchapter and Minn. Rules Ch. 7080, Individual Sewage Treatment Systems Program, as they may be amended from time to time.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction of a private wastewater disposal system inside Harmony city limits.

  • Prior to construction, owner must obtain a written permit signed by the City.
  • Application uses the City form and must include plans, specifications, and other information the City deems necessary.

  “Prior to commencement of construction of a private wastewater disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the city.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Permitted private wastewater disposal systems inside Harmony city limits.

  • Permit is ineffective until installation is completed to the satisfaction of the City or its authorized representative.
  • Applicant must notify the City before underground portions are covered.
  • Inspection must be made within 24 hours of notice.

  inspection timing after notice: <= 24 hours

  “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

  Private wastewater disposal inside Harmony city limits.

  • Private disposal is available only where public sewer is not available under §52.18.
  • A private system requires a City permit and must comply with Chapter 52 and Minnesota Rules chapter 7080.
  • When public sewer becomes available, direct connection is required within 60 days.

  “Where a public sewer is not available under the provisions of §52.18, the building sewer shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of this subchapter and Minn. Rules Ch. 7080, Individual Sewage Treatment Systems Program, as they may be amended from time to time.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Properties generating wastewater inside Harmony city limits that are adjacent to a public sanitary sewer.

  • Connection is required at owner's expense within 60 days after the public sewer becomes operational if the sewer is within 500 feet of the wastewater-generating structure.
  • Future buildings on property adjacent to public sewer must connect immediately.
  • A ten-day official notice is served if required connections are not made.

  sewer availability distance: <= 500 feet (Measured from the wastewater-generating structure) · connection timing: <= 60 days (After public sewer becomes operational)

  “The owners of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes from which wastewater is discharged, and which is situated within the city and adjacent to any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is now located, or may in the future be located, a public sanitary sewer of the city shall be required at the owner's expense to install a suitable service connection to the public sewer in accordance with provisions of this code within 60 days of the date the public sewer is operational; provided that the public sewer is within 500 feet of the structure generating the wastewater.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Buildings erected or moved inside Harmony city limits.

  • Access may be from a public street or approved private street.
  • Structures must be located to provide safe and convenient servicing and fire-protection access.

  “Every building hereafter erected or moved shall be on a lot adjacent to a public street, or with access to an approved private street, and all structures shall be so located on lots as to provide safe and convenient access for servicing, and fire protection.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning permits for building, remodeling, or additions inside Harmony city limits.

  • Applicant must provide lot-line location, lot dimensions, description of building, project address, a placement drawing showing setbacks, applicable connection fees and zoning-permit fee, and obtain the City zoning permit before construction.
  • Materials may be brought to the City office.

  “If you are looking at building/remodeling/addition (home or business), you will need the following information for a zoning permit:”

Rules another office applies inside Harmony

Harmony 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

  R-1 Residential District inside Harmony city limits.

  • The 6,000-square-foot requirement does not apply to a lot platted before November 4, 1976.
  • Dwellings must have a minimum lot width of 50 feet.

  minimum lot area: >= 6000 square feet (Does not apply to a lot platted before November 4, 1976) · minimum dwelling lot width: >= 50 feet

  “All buildings shall be located on lots with at least 6,000 square feet and all dwellings shall be located on lots with a minimum width of 50 feet, except that the square footage requirement shall not apply to any lot that was platted prior to the adoption of this ordinance on November 4, 1976.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Harmony city limits.
• Building code adopted — Construction inside Harmony city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — R-1 Residential District inside Harmony city limits.
• Lot coverage — Land inside Harmony city limits.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Harmony 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.