Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Plato, Minnesota

Plato’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Residential and commercial construction projects in Plato city, including listed new construction and alterations.

  • Larger projects must undergo review.
  • Permit validity is six months from issuance.

  “The Uniform Building Code requires that building permits be issued before construction begins.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings in Plato city.

  • The adopted code is the Minnesota State Building Code as adopted by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry pursuant to M.S. §§ 326B.101 to 326B.194, as amended.

  “adopted as the Building Code for the City”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  New, altered, or non-conforming use of building, land, or structure subject to Plato's floodplain-management chapter.

  • A certificate of zoning compliance must be issued by the Zoning Administrator and must state that the use conforms to the chapter.

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

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational camping vehicles used as living quarters inside Plato city.

  • Emergency cases may be approved by the Zoning Administrator as an administrative permit.
  • The City allows temporary use during City celebrations.
  • The City camping facilities have separate short-term-camping rules.

  “No model home, garage, tent, accessory building or recreational camping vehicle shall at any time be used as living quarters, temporarily or permanently, except as may be approved in emergency cases by the Zoning Administrator as an administrative permit, and during the time of City celebrations, the City will allow the temporary use of tents and recreational camping vehicles.”

• Accessory dwellingsProhibited

  Accessory structures in every zoning district inside Plato city.

  • Accessory structures are permitted only after the principal structure is present or under construction.

  “Accessory uses - and structures are permitted in any district, but not until their principal structure is present or under construction. Uses accessory to residential district developments shall not involve the conduct of any business trade or industry, except for home and professional occupations as defined herein. An accessory structure cannot be occupied as a separate dwelling unit;”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Individual sewage disposal systems for parcels inside Plato city where community sewers are unavailable or not operating.

  • The Council determines whether sewers are unavailable or not in operation.
  • Systems must comply with applicable state-agency regulations.

  “Where sewers are not available or in operation, as determined by the Council, all sewage facilities shall be connected to individual sewage disposal systems, under the authority of the county and in accordance with any applicable regulations of state agencies.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Sewage facilities inside Plato city without available or operating community sewer.

  • The Council determines sewer availability.
  • Individual sewage disposal systems are under county authority and applicable state-agency regulations.

  “Where sewers are not available or in operation, as determined by the Council, all sewage facilities shall be connected to individual sewage disposal systems, under the authority of the county and in accordance with any applicable regulations of state agencies.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision activity inside Plato city.

  • The City regulations and all amendments are adopted by reference.

  “The City’s subdivisions regulations, and any and all amendments thereto, are hereby adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if set out in full.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  General building permits in Plato city.

  • Larger-project fees are based on project value and fees vary by project or construction type.

  general permit cost: 37.50-40.00 USD (listed general projects)

  “The cost of a permit ranges from $37.50 to $40.00 per project.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications inside Plato city.

  • Required documentation depends on project type.
  • Fees vary by project or proposed construction.

  “Building permits are valid for just six (6) months from the date of issue.”

Rules another office applies inside Plato

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

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  One- and two-family homes in Plato R-1 Low Density Residential District.

  • Applies to one-story and two-story one- and two-family homes.

  minimum floor area: 1100 square feet (one- and two-family homes, one or two stories)

  “Minimum floor area per dwelling unit (square feet). (a) One- and two-family homes (two stories): 1,100; and (b) One- and two-family homes (one story): 1,100.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Single-family dwellings in Plato R-1 Low Density Residential District.

  • The table also sets lot-width and yard requirements.

  minimum lot area: 12000 square feet (single-family dwellings in R-1)

  “Single-family dwellings 12,000 45' 100' 30' 30' 10' 20'”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Single-family dwellings in Plato R-1 Low Density Residential District.

  • The table columns are front yard, rear yard, side-yard least width, and side-yard sum.

  front-yard setback: 30 feet (R-1 single-family dwelling) · rear-yard setback: 30 feet (R-1 single-family dwelling) · side-yard minimum: 10 feet (R-1 single-family dwelling; side-yard sum is 20 feet)

  “Single-family dwellings 12,000 45' 100' 30' 30' 10' 20'”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Lots in Plato R-1 Low Density Residential District.

  • Permitted projecting eaves are excluded from coverage.

  maximum lot coverage: <= 35 percent (excluding permitted projecting eaves)

  “The area of the lot covered by buildings or roofed areas, excluding permitted projecting eaves, shall not exceed 35%.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Residential buildings in Plato R-1 Low Density Residential District.

  • Public and semipublic buildings, churches, cathedrals, temples, hospitals, and schools may reach 60 feet only with an additional one-foot setback for each foot above 36 feet.

  maximum residential height: <= 36 feet (or two and one-half stories)

  “No residential building hereafter erected or altered shall exceed 36 feet or two and one-half stories in height; provided, however, public and semipublic buildings, churches, cathedrals, temples, hospitals or schools may be erected to a height of 60 feet when set back from all lot lines not less than one foot, in addition to required yard dimensions, for each foot the building exceeds 36 feet in height.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction in Plato city.
• Inspections — Construction inside Plato city limits.
• Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Plato city.
• Septic permit — On-site septic systems inside Plato city.
• Septic inspection — On-site septic systems inside Plato 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.