Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Alden, Minnesota

Alden’s own rules

• Building code adoptedPartial

  Buildings subject to the Minnesota Accessibility Code inside Alden city limits.

  • The provision applies to buildings subject to the Minnesota Accessibility Code.
  • A permit cannot issue unless applicable accessibility compliance is certified.

  “The Minnesota Accessibility Code, established pursuant to M.S. §§ 326B.01 - 326B.998, as they may be amended from time to time, and as provided for in Minn. Rules Ch. 1341, as it may be amended from time to time, is adopted as the building code for accessibility in this city.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Alden city limits.

  • The chapter is effective only after the zoning-map, notice, and hearing conditions in § 151.05 are met.

  “This chapter has no effect until the boundaries of the use districts are delineated on an Official Zoning Map”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Alden city limits.

  • Property zoning is shown on the official zoning map; the code says the official map controls over conflicting maps, ordinances, or sources.

  districts: R-1 Single-Family Residential; R-2 Multiple-Family Residential; C-1 Central Business; C-2 Commercial; I Industrial; Rural Residential and Agricultural

  “§ 151.20 CLASSIFICATION OF ZONING DISTRICTS. (A) R-1 Single Family Residential District (B) R-2 Multi-Family Residential District (C) C-1 Central Business District (D) C-2 Central Business District (E) I Industrial (F) Rural Residential and Agricultural District”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes used as dwellings inside Alden city limits.

  • Only homes complying with the Manufactured Home Building Code may be newly located and used as dwellings.
  • A noncompliant existing residential use may continue, but becomes subject to conforming-use requirements after the stated discontinuance or destruction thresholds.

  “After the date of the adoption of this code, only manufactured homes which comply with the Manufactured Home BuildingCode established byM.S. § 327.31 may be located in and used as a dwelling within the city.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City construction authorization connected with building permits inside Alden city limits.

  • The authorization form must be approved by City Council.

  city construction authorization: 0 USD (Building permits are issued by Freeborn County)

  “Building permits are issued by Freeborn County, but a Construction authorization form is required to be approved by the city Council at no cost”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit-related construction authorization inside Alden city limits.

  • Building permits are issued by Freeborn County.
  • The construction authorization form requires City Council approval.

  “Building permits are issued by Freeborn County, but a Construction authorization form is required to be approved by the city Council at no cost”

Rules another office applies inside Alden

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

• Building permitLimited

  Building-permit processing for construction inside Alden city limits.

  • Freeborn County issues building permits.
  • A City Council-approved construction authorization form is required and the city page states it is at no cost.

  “Building permits are issued by Freeborn County, but a Construction authorization form is required to be approved by the city Council at no cost”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 Single-Family Residential District inside Alden city limits.

  • Subject to additional requirements, exceptions, and modifications in Chapter 151.

  minimum lot area: 10000 square feet (100 x 100) · minimum lot width: 75 feet

  “The following minimum requirements shall be observed in an R-1 District, subject to additional requirements, exceptions and modifications set forth in this chapter: (1) Lot area. 10,000 square feet (100 x 100). (2) Lot width. 75 feet.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Alden city limits.
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Alden city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Alden city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — One-family dwellings in the R-1 Single-Family Residential District inside Alden city limits.
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Alden 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.