Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Warren, Minnesota

Warren’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction in Warren city limits.

  “The City of Warren requires building permits in the city limits.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings in Warren city.

  • The incorporated state code applies as amended from time to time.

  “confirmed as the Building Code of the city”

• InspectionsLimited

  Fences installed in Warren city.

  • Fence applications are reviewed for materials, location, and height; the Building Inspector must be called after installation.

  “Once fence is installed you will need to call Building Inspector”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  New, altered, or nonconforming uses in Warren floodplain districts.

  • The required document is termed a certificate of zoning compliance and is issued by the Zoning Administrator.

  “It shall be unlawful to use, occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a certificate of zoning compliance shall have been issued by the Zoning Administrator stating that the use of the building or land conforms to the requirements of this chapter.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Warren city limits.

  • Uses and structures must conform to the applicable district schedule.

  “The city is hereby divided into zoning districts”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Warren city limits.

  • The official zoning map is filed with the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer; the land-use code also publishes district categories and schedules.

  “The city is hereby divided into zoning districts as shown on the official zoning district map dated December 1972, and filed in the office of the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer. The map and all explanatory matter thereon are hereby made a part of this chapter.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes constructed in or moved into Farm Residential and Residential areas of Warren.

  • A permanent foundation, at least 3:12 roof pitch, minimum 24-foot width, compliant siding, connection to all city utilities, at least 960 square feet, and compliance with state law and city ordinances are required. The chapter does not apply to two existing mobile-home parks.

  minimum roof pitch: 3:12 (Flat roofs or shed roofs are not permitted.) · minimum dwelling width: >= 24 feet · minimum floor area: >= 960 square feet

  “Dwellings, including manufactured homes, shall be constructed in or moved into areas of the city zoned farm residential and residential only if they meet the following minimum standards.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  On-site sewage treatment in Warren floodplain districts where public utilities are not provided.

  • The city floodplain ordinance supplies the local standard; it recognizes compliance with current statewide on-site sewage standards.

  “Where public utilities are not provided: [...] New or replacement on-site sewage treatment systems must be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters and they shall not be subject to impairment or contamination during times of flooding.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction of an on-site septic system within Warren floodplain districts.

  • The permit is issued by the Zoning Administrator under the floodplain chapter.

  “prior to the construction of a dam, fence or on-site septic system”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site sanitation in Warren floodplain districts where public utilities are not provided.

  • New or replacement systems must minimize or eliminate floodwater infiltration, floodwater discharges, impairment, and contamination; a system meeting current statewide standards is compliant with the section.

  “Any sewage treatment system designed in accordance with the state=s current statewide standards for on-site sewage treatment systems shall be determined to be in compliance with this section.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Dwellings, including manufactured homes, constructed in or moved into Farm Residential and Residential areas of Warren.

  • The requirement is limited to the specified Farm Residential and Residential areas; existing mobile-home parks are excepted from § 153.16.

  “Dwellings, including manufactured homes, shall be constructed in or moved into areas of the city zoned farm residential and residential only if they meet the following minimum standards. [...] The dwelling shall be connected to all city utilities.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivisions within Warren floodplain districts.

  • Lots must contain a building site outside the Floodway District at or above the regulatory flood-protection elevation; drawings and plat documents must identify listed flood information.

  “No land shall be subdivided which is unsuitable for the reason of flooding, inadequate drainage, water supply or sewage treatment facilities.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  New structures with required off-street automobile storage or standing space in Warren city.

  • The rule concerns required parking/standing space, not every driveway or curb cut.

  “Off-street automobile storage or standing space shall be provided on every lot on which any new structures are hereafter established; such space shall be provided with vehicular access to a street or alley and shall be deemed to be required open space associated with the permitted use and shall not thereafter be reduced or encroached upon in any manner.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development and listed activities within Warren floodplain districts.

  • A local permit must be secured before the listed construction, use, septic, fill, excavation, storage, repair, or nonconforming-use activities; state and federal permits also must be obtained before local action.

  “A permit issued by the Zoning Administrator in conformity with the provisions of this chapter shall be secured prior to the erection, addition, modification, rehabilitation (including normal maintenance and repair), or alteration of any building, structure or portion thereof; prior to the use or change of use of a building, structure or land; prior to the construction of a dam, fence or on-site septic system; prior to the change or extension of a non-conforming use; prior to the repair of a structure that has been damaged by flood, fire, tornado or any other source; and prior to the placement of fill, excavation of materials or the storage of materials or equipment within the floodplain.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Floodplain permit applications in Warren city.

  • Application is in duplicate to the Zoning Administrator on official forms and must include the specified plans and site information where applicable; necessary state and federal permits must be obtained before local action.

  “Application for a permit shall be made in duplicate to the Zoning Administrator on forms furnished by the Zoning Administrator and shall include the following where applicable: plans in duplicate drawn to scale, showing the nature, location, dimensions and elevations of the lot: existing or proposed structures, fill or storage of materials; and the location of the foregoing in relation to the stream channel.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction in Warren city.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Warren city.
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in Warren city.
• Septic inspection — On-site septic systems in Warren city.
• Well permit — Private wells in Warren city.

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.