Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Madison, Minnesota

Madison’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Madison city limits.

  • The hosted code supplement states it contains local legislation current through Ordinance 387, passed August 14, 2023.

  “This chapter shall be known as the “City of Madison Zoning Ordinance,” except as referred to herein where it shall be known as “this chapter.””

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Madison city limits.

  • The current Chapter 151 index lists A-O Agriculture–Open Space, R-1 General Residential, R-2 Large Lot Residential, B-1 General Business, B-2 Downtown Business, I-1 General Industrial, and Planned Unit Development District provisions.

  ““A-O” Agriculture – Open Space District [...] “R-1" General Residential District [...] “R-2" Large Lot Residential District [...] “B-1" General Business District [...] “B-2" Downtown Business District [...] “I-1" General Industrial District [...] Planned Unit Development District (PUD)”

• SetbacksSpecified

  R-1 General Residential District inside Madison city limits.

  • For buildings exceeding 35 feet, each front yard must add one foot for each foot over 35 feet.
  • Single-story principal buildings require two side yards at least seven feet each; principal buildings of two or more stories require two side yards at least ten feet each.
  • An accessory building or structure requires a side yard at least five feet; corner-lot side-street yard is at least ten feet.
  • For buildings exceeding 35 feet, each side yard adds one foot for each foot over 35 feet.
  • Principal buildings require a rear yard at least 25 feet deep; accessory buildings and structures must be at least five feet from the rear lot line.

  front yard minimum: >= 20 feet (All buildings and structures.) · principal-building rear yard minimum: >= 25 feet

  “For all buildings and structures, a front yard of not less than 20 feet is required. [...] For principal buildings and structures, a rear yard with a depth of not less than 25 feet is required.”

• Building heightSpecified

  R-1 General Residential District inside Madison city limits.

  • Multiple-dwelling units may not exceed three stories or 45 feet.

  maximum building height: <= 35 feet (Except multiple-dwelling units.) · multiple-dwelling maximum height: <= 45 feet (Also limited to three stories.)

  “Except for multiple-dwelling units, building heights shall not exceed 35 feet. Building heights for multiple-dwelling units shall not exceed 3 stories or 45 feet.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes on individually owned parcels inside Madison city limits.

  • Wheels, axles, transporting lights, and towing apparatuses must be removed in a manner allowing later reattachment.
  • The home and lot must comply with the applicable zoning district.
  • The home must have access to a public road.
  • The home must comply with Minnesota Statutes §§ 327.31 to 327.35, as amended.

  “All manufactured homes on individually owned parcels of land shall meet the following requirements: [...] The home and the lot on which it sits shall conform to all the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located;”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Manufactured homes on individually owned parcels inside Madison city limits.

  • This requirement is limited to manufactured homes on individually owned parcels.

  “All manufactured homes shall have access to a public road;”

• Permit processPartial

  Zoning permits for land, structures, premises, and buildings inside Madison city limits.

  • The cited provision addresses conformity for zoning permits; it does not establish the process for building permits or other permits.

  “Except as herein provided, no building, structure, premises or land shall hereafter be used or occupied and no zoning permit shall be granted that does not conform to the requirements of this chapter.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Madison or Lac qui Parle County directly.

• Building permit — Residential building construction inside Madison city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Madison city limits.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for construction inside Madison city limits.
• Inspections — Residential construction inside Madison city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Madison 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.