Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Greenfield, Minnesota

Greenfield’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction governed by Greenfield City Code Chapter 150 inside Greenfield city limits.

  • Application, administration, and enforcement are in accordance with the Minnesota State Building Code.
  • Greenfield additionally adopts optional Chapter 1335 Floodproofing Regulations, parts 1335.0600 through 1335.1200.

  “The Minnesota State Building Code is hereby incorporated in this chapter as if fully set out herein.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within Greenfield city limits.

  • The cited code defines zoning as regulation under Chapter 152 of the city code.

  “ZONING. The regulation of the use of land within the city pursuant to M.S. Chapter 462, as it may be amended from time to time, and Chapter 152 of this code.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  All land within Greenfield city limits.

  • A subdivision may not be recorded with the Hennepin County Recorder unless it has received approval under Chapter 151.
  • The building inspector may not issue building permits for structures in an unapproved subdivision.
  • Subdivisions must use platting procedures except stated metes-and-bounds exceptions.

  “These regulations shall apply to all land within the boundaries of the city.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Construction of a driveway or street entrance inside Greenfield city limits.

  • Applicants must provide the city information required on the permit application.
  • Applicants must receive permission before constructing the driveway or street entrance.

  “A driveway or street entrance permit shall be required in the City of Greenfield. Applicants shall provide the city information required on the permit application and shall receive permission before constructing the driveway or street entrance.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Work governed by Greenfield City Code Chapter 150 inside Greenfield city limits.

  • Building-code permit fees follow the municipal fee schedule in code Section 9.02.
  • A surcharge fee is collected on all permits issued for work governed by the code in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 16B.
  • Fees for miscellaneous permits are set from time to time by the council.

  “Permit fees shall be assessed for work governed by this code in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the municipality in code Section 9.02.”

• Permit processPartial

  Septic-related construction and associated building-permit processing inside Greenfield city limits.

  • Submit the completed septic application, design, lot survey, and permit fees to Hennepin County before activity for a sewage treatment system.
  • The city can begin processing the building permit once it receives approval notification.
  • The city handout states that the application process takes approximately 12 to 14 days.

  application-processing time: 12-14 days

  “Once the City has been notified of your approval the City can begin processing your building permit. You should allow approx. 12 - 14 days for the completion of the application process.”

Rules another office applies inside Greenfield

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

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Individual sewage disposal systems inside Greenfield city limits.

  • The city identifies Hennepin County as the issuer.
  • The city handout directs applicants to Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department.

  “Individual sewage disposal system – Issued by Hennepin County”

• Septic permitRequired

  An individual sewage treatment system inside Greenfield city limits.

  • Before commencing any activity, the homeowner or builder must submit a completed septic application, septic design, lot survey, and septic permit fees to Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department.
  • After the city is notified of approval, it can begin processing the building permit.
  • The city handout states to allow approximately 12 to 14 days for the application process.

  application-processing time: 12-14 days

  “A septic permit must be obtained before beginning any activity requiring a permit under Hennepin County Ordinance No. 19 – Individual Sewage Treatment Systems Standards.”

• Well permitRequired

  Well construction or installation inside Greenfield city limits.

  • The city code identifies the Minnesota Department of Health as the issuer.

  “Permits shall be required for the following constructions and installations. Plumbing, HVAC Well – Issued by Minnesota Department of Health”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Greenfield city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Greenfield city limits.
• Inspections — Residential building work inside Greenfield city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — New residential construction inside Greenfield city limits.
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Greenfield 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.