Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Silver Lake, Minnesota

Silver Lake’s own rules

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  New, altered, or nonconforming uses in the city floodplain.

  • The rule applies under the floodplain ordinance.
  • The certificate is issued by the Zoning Administrator.

  “No building, land or structure may 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 ordinance.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  All land within Silver Lake city corporate limits.

  • The ordinance jurisdiction is limited to city corporate limits.

  “This ordinance which shall be known and cited as the City of Silver Lake zoning ordinance, an ordinance setting minimum and maximum standards for the height and size of buildings, the size of yards, courts and other open spaces, the density of population, the location and use of buildings and land for trade, commerce, industry, residence and other purposes; creating districts for said purposes and establishing the boundaries thereof; providing for changes in regulations, restrictions and boundaries of such districts; defining certain terms used herein; providing for enforcement and administration and imposing penalties for the violation of this ordinance. The jurisdiction of this ordinance shall include all lands within the corporate limits of the City of Silver Lake, Minnesota.”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

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

  • Public and semipublic buildings, churches, cathedrals, temples, hospitals, and schools may reach 60 feet if they receive one additional foot of setback from all lot lines for each foot exceeding 36 feet.

  maximum residential height: <= 36 feet (residential buildings) · maximum listed institutional height: <= 60 feet (additional setback applies)

  “Building height. No residential building hereafter erected or altered shall exceed thirty-six (36) feet in height. Provided, however, public and semipublic buildings, churches, cathedrals, temples, hospitals or schools may be erected to a height of sixty (60) feet when set back from all lot lines not less than one (1) foot, in addition to required yard dimensions, for each foot such building exceeds thirty-six (36) feet in height.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile or manufactured homes inside Silver Lake city limits.

  • Mobile homes must be placed on permanent foundations appropriate for similar site-built structures.
  • Mobile-home parks are conditional uses in R-2.

  “Mobile homes shall be only permitted to be placed upon permanent foundations as would be appropriate for a similar structure as built on site.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory structures used as separate dwelling units inside Silver Lake city limits.

  • A conditional use permit is required.
  • The accessory structure is subject to Public Works inspection.

  “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 development 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 unless allowed under a Conditional Use Permit and will be subject to inspection by Public Works.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in lands shown on the official zoning map or attachments as within the City floodway or flood-fringe districts.

  • A permit from the Zoning Administrator is required before listed development activities.
  • A permit application must include applicable copies of required municipal, county, state, or federal permits or approvals.
  • Farm fences are excepted from the on-site-septic-system/fence permit clause.

  “Permit Required. A permit must be obtained from the Zoning Administrator prior to conducting the following activities: (a) The erection, addition, modification, rehabilitation, or alteration of any building, structure, or portion thereof. Normal maintenance and repair also require a permit if such work, separately or in conjunction with other planned work, constitutes a substantial improvement as defined in this ordinance. (b) The use or change of use of a building, structure, or land. (c) 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.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — General residential building construction inside Silver Lake city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Silver Lake city limits.
• Building code adopted — Building construction inside Silver Lake city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings inside Silver Lake city limits.
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Silver Lake 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.