Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Newfolden, Minnesota

Newfolden’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting a new structure, adding to or moving an existing structure, or the other listed construction and use changes inside Newfolden city limits.

  • This is a City zoning-permit requirement; the City material opened did not establish a separate State Building Code permit requirement.
  • Agricultural Districts are exempt from zoning-permit requirements for uses not covered under Conditional Uses.

  “without first completing and submitting a Zoning Permit Application”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  Any building, land, or structure in Newfolden floodplain districts subject to the Floodplain Management Ordinance.

  • The requirement is limited to the ordinance's floodplain jurisdiction: Floodway, Flood Fringe, and General Floodplain Districts.
  • The certificate must be issued by the Zoning Administrator and state conformity with the ordinance.

  “No building, land or structure may be occupied or used in any manner until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Newfolden city limits.

  • The ordinance and zoning map are effective as stated by the City.

  “The Newfolden Planning and Zoning Ordinance is effective as of July 24, 2009.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Newfolden city limits.

  • The City planning page provides the zoning ordinance and zoning map.
  • Examples of published districts include GR — General Residential, AR — Agriculture Residential, RL — Rural Landscape Residential, CI — Commercial and Industrial, PR — Parks and Recreation, and GW — Greenway.

  “The Newfolden Planning and Zoning Ordinance is effective as of July 24, 2009. The Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map were precipitated by a Comprehensive Plan for the community.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private septic systems inside Newfolden city limits.

  • Private septic systems may be allowed only by City agreement and only until utility mains or infrastructure become available.

  “The City, by agreement, may allow private wells or septic systems only until and when utility mains/infrastructure become available.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

  Residences and businesses inside Newfolden city limits that discharge sewage or wastewater or use water.

  • Where utility infrastructure does not exist, the City is not required to provide water and sewer mains.
  • By agreement, the City may allow private wells or septic systems only until utility mains or infrastructure become available.
  • A one-time connection fee is set annually in the Newfolden Fee Schedule; access fees may be waived by Council action under an agreement or incentive programming.
  • The owner bears lateral sewer or water service-line costs from the curbstop.

  “each residence or business located in the City of Newfolden using water shall be connected to the City’s water distribution system.”

• Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  Uses in Newfolden Agricultural Districts.

  • The exemption is limited to the City's zoning-permit requirement.
  • It does not apply to uses covered under Conditional Uses.

  “Agricultural Districts are exempt from zoning permit requirements for any uses not covered under Conditional Uses.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Division of existing parcels inside Newfolden city limits.

  • The City application identifies subdivision as the process for dividing existing parcels.
  • For AR new building sites, the preliminary sketch and final plat processes stated in the ordinance apply.

  “Subdivision - When you are dividing existing parcels of property.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development within Newfolden Floodway, Flood Fringe, and General Floodplain Districts.

  • A permit from the Zoning Administrator is required before the listed development activities.
  • The rule covers building work, on-site septic systems, changes to nonconforming use, flood-damage repair, fill, excavation, storage, watercourse alteration, and other development as defined by the ordinance.

  “A permit must be obtained from the Zoning Administrator”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City zoning conditional-use, variance, zoning-amendment, and home-occupation applications inside Newfolden city limits.

  • The published application lists $350 for conditional-use, variance, and zoning-amendment applications and $15 for a home-occupation application.
  • Zoning permit fees are set by the City Council.

  conditional use permit application fee: 350 USD · variance application fee: 350 USD · zoning amendment application fee: 350 USD · home occupation permit application fee: 15 USD

  “Conditional Use Permit - When your intended use falls under a Conditional Use”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  City conditional-use permit applications inside Newfolden city limits.

  • Applicants must submit the Zoning Permit Application, established fee, and exhibits deemed necessary by the City Clerk.
  • A public hearing is required, with publication and mailed notice as stated in the ordinance.
  • The City Council must act within 60 days; a denied application cannot be reconsidered for 12 months.

  City Council action deadline: <= 60 days (Conditional-use permit application) · newspaper notice lead time: >= 10 days (Before the public hearing)

  “The City Council shall take action on the application for conditional use within 60 days.”

Rules another office applies inside Newfolden

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

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings inside Newfolden city limits that are of a type governed by the Minnesota State Building Code.

  • The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except for the statutory exceptions.
  • Newfolden's municipal adoption or administration of the code was not established by the City materials opened.

  “The State Building Code is the standard that applies statewide”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Residential dwellings and accessory buildings in the GR — General Residential District inside Newfolden city limits.

  • The 70-percent limit does not apply to an affordable-housing or multifamily development.

  maximum combined dwelling and accessory-building coverage: <= 70 percent of lot size (Except in an affordable housing or multi-family development)

  “the combined square feet of dwellings and accessory buildings exceed 70 per cent of the lot size”

• Building heightSpecified

  Structures in the GR — General Residential District inside Newfolden city limits.

  • A structure exceeding 30 feet requires a conditional use permit.
  • The Fire Chief and Building Inspector must approve; the height must not destroy a scenic view, shut off light or air from surrounding properties, or otherwise be detrimental to the public.
  • Structures over 30 feet require an additional five feet of side yard for each five feet in height over 35 or 30 feet, respectively.

  maximum structure height without conditional use permit: <= 30 feet

  “Structures shall be limited to 30 feet in height.”

• Camping on your landAllowed (with conditions)

  Primitive camping areas in the City Parks and Recreation District inside Newfolden city limits.

  • Outhouse facilities must meet Marshall County septic system regulations.
  • Campground facilities offering water, sewer, electrical, or modern restroom or shower facilities require a conditional use permit.

  “Primitive camping areas, including outhouse facilities provided such facilities meet Marshall County septic system regulations.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside Newfolden city limits.
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Newfolden city limits.
• Living in an RV — Long-term recreational-vehicle occupancy on private land inside Newfolden city limits.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Newfolden city limits.
• Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy outside Newfolden floodplain districts.

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.