Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Loretto, Minnesota

Loretto’s own rules

• Building permitLimited

  Erection, addition, modification, rehabilitation, or alteration of a building or structure in Loretto's floodplain.

  • Normal maintenance and repair also require a permit when the work, separately or with other planned work, constitutes a substantial improvement.

  “Normal maintenance and repair also requires a permit if such work, separately or in conjunction with other planned work, constitutes a substantial improvement as defined in this ordinance.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures in Loretto city.

  • The code is enforced by the Minnesota Certified Building Official designated by the city council.

  “The Minnesota State Building Code, established pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 16B.59 to 16B.75, is hereby adopted as the building code for this jurisdiction.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Water and sewer connections from the city main to a residence or other structure in Loretto.

  • Connections and repairs must be made according to city specifications.

  “All connections and repairs shall be made according to city specifications and inspected by a city inspector.”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  New, altered, or nonconforming building, land, or structure use in Loretto's floodplain.

  • A certificate of zoning compliance must be issued by the City Clerk and state conformity with the floodplain ordinance before occupancy or use.

  “No building, land or structure may be occupied or used in any manner until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued by the City Clerk stating that the use of the building or land conforms to the requirements of this ordinance.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Houses inside Loretto city limits.

  minimum house floor space: >= 996 square feet

  “Section 405:20. SIZE. No house shall be smaller than 996 square feet of floor space. (Amended, 3/7/89)”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  One- and two-family buildings in Loretto's R-1 Residential District.

  • A parcel under one ownership at chapter adoption may be used where the owner owns no adjoining land and all other district regulations are met.

  minimum building-site area: >= 11250 square feet (Subject to the listed existing-parcel exception.)

  “In the R-1 Residential District, every building designed for the housing of one or two families, together with its accessory buildings, shall be located on a building site in one ownership having an area of not less than 11,250 square feet;”

• Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Detached garages and other detached accessory buildings in Loretto's R-1 Residential District.

  • The stated limit applies to rear and side yards.

  maximum lot coverage: <= 30 percent of rear and side yard

  “Lot coverage: Not to exceed 30 percent of any rear and side yard.”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Buildings in Loretto's R-1 Residential District.

  maximum building height: <= 35 feet · maximum stories: <= 2.5 stories

  “In the R-1 Residential District no building shall hereafter be erected or structurally altered to exceed 35 feet or 2-1/2 stories in height.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles in Loretto floodplain districts.

  • New RV parks, campgrounds, and expansions are prohibited in any floodplain district. Existing-RV placement must meet exemption criteria or be treated as a new structure.

  “New recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds and expansions to existing recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds are prohibited in any floodplain district. Placement of recreational vehicles in existing recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds in the floodplain must meet the exemption criteria below or be treated as new structures meeting the requirements of this ordinance.”

• Manufactured homesAllowed

  Manufactured homes in the R-1 Residential District in Loretto.

  • Homes must conform to Minnesota Statutes sections 327.31 to 327.35. Floodplain-specific rules also apply where relevant.

  “Manufactured homes built in conformance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 327.31 to 327.35. (Added, 1/27/87)”

• Septic permitLimited

  Construction of an on-site septic system in Loretto's floodplain.

  • A farm fence as defined in the floodplain ordinance is excepted from the floodplain permit requirement.

  “The construction of a dam, fence, or on-site septic system, although a permit is not required for a farm fence as defined in this ordinance.”

• Well permitLimited

  Drilling wells where Loretto's water system is accessible.

  • The cited provision does not state a permit process for wells where the system is not accessible.

  “Section 405:15. WELLS. No wells shall be drilled where Loretto’s water system is accessible.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Voluntary connection of property inside Loretto to city sewer or water mains.

  • The owner must apply to the city clerk; no permit issues until fees are paid. The code passage opened does not establish that every new home must connect when service is available.

  “Any property owner desiring a connection to either sewer or water mains shall apply to the city clerk for a connection permit. No permit shall issue until the property owner has paid the fees provided herein.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Plats or large-lot divisions containing more than three lots inside Loretto city limits.

  • Before final city-council approval, the subdivider must agree to install listed required improvements under city-approved plans and applicable standards and ordinances.

  “Prior to final approval by the city council of a plat or large lot division containing more than three lots, the subdivider shall agree to install on the site in conformity with construction plans approved by the city engineer and with all applicable standards and ordinances of the City the following improvements:”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development activities in Loretto's floodplain.

  • The listed activities include building work, changes of use, dams, fences, on-site septic systems, repair after damage, fill, excavation, material/equipment storage, watercourse work, and other defined development. Farm fences are excepted from the permit rule.

  “A permit must be obtained from the City Clerk prior to conducting the following activities:”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  City permit applications inside Loretto city limits.

  • Completed forms or permit applications may be submitted in person, by email, or by mail to the city.

  “Completed forms/permit applications may be submitted to City Hall in the following ways:”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Loretto city limits.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Loretto city limits.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Loretto city limits.
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Loretto city limits.
• Septic inspection — On-site septic systems inside Loretto 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.