Bolthole Index

Murray County, Minnesota

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Murray County, Minnesota

56Index Score / 100
#47 of 87 in Minnesota

Unincorporated Murray County, Minnesota does not require a residential structural-code building permit, but it does require a zoning certificate for every structure, including small, portable and temporary structures12. Murray County Environmental Services administers zoning, septic, floodplain and shoreland permits2. A new or materially changed septic system needs a county septic permit, and a driveway onto a county road has its own online permit process34.

At a glance

Building permit
No residential structural-code permit, but every structure needs a zoning certificate12
Zoning
County zoning applies outside incorporated municipalities, subject to stated ordinance exceptions56
Septic permit
Required for a new or replacement system and material changes to an existing system73
RV living
General private-land occupancy is unconfirmed; special restrictions apply in floodplain districts8
Tiny home
No county rule specifically resolving occupancy was confirmed; a zoning certificate is still required1
Owner-builder
State contractor-license exemption available if occupancy or rental conditions are met910
Residential lot size
District-specific; an individual-septic dwelling lot needs 20,000 sq ft of buildable area11
County-road driveway
Online Highway Department permit required for farm/residential and field entrances4

Who to call

Zoning

Murray County Environmental Services, Planning and Zoning Division

Zoning certificates, septic permits, variances, rezoning, grading and filling, conditional uses, floodplains and shoreland in unincorporated Murray County

(507) 836-1166

2500 28th Street, Slayton, Minnesota 56172

Roads & driveways

Murray County Highway Department

Online driveway permits for farm or residential and field entrances on county roads

507-836-6327

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Murray County, Minnesota?

Unincorporated Murray County does not require a residential structural-code building permit, but Murray County requires a zoning certificate before placing or building any structure, whether large, small, portable, temporary or permanent12. Minnesota's State Building Code is the statewide construction standard for structures of the type it governs, although the county materials reviewed do not establish a general county building-inspection program for ordinary homes12. The practical first approval is therefore Environmental Services' zoning review, not a conventional county building permit12. Agricultural buildings have limited ordinance exemptions, including the stated height exemption and a zoning-certificate exemption for agricultural concrete fences and feed bunks, but other zoning, shoreland, floodplain, septic and state requirements can still apply13.

Who handles Murray County permits, and how do you reach them?

Murray County Environmental Services' Planning and Zoning Division is the main land-use office for unincorporated property, at 2500 28th Street in Slayton and (507) 836-11662. The division handles zoning certificates, septic permits, variance and rezoning requests, grading and filling permits, conditional-use permits, floodplains and shoreland2. Applications for a zoning certificate go to the Zoning Administrator on county forms, and a building or alteration application must include a scaled site and building plan14. Murray County does not identify a general county building department for ordinary residential structural permits in the reviewed materials1. For an entrance onto a county road, use the Highway Department's online driveway-permit process or call 507-836-63274. A connection to another public highway remains subject to regulation and a permit from the road authority that controls that road15.

Does Murray County, Minnesota have zoning?

Yes. Murray County's zoning ordinance applies outside incorporated municipal limits, apart from the ordinance's stated exceptions6. Environmental Services administers those land-use controls and requires a zoning certificate for every structure2. Parcel rules depend on the zoning map and district: in the Residential District, an individual-septic single-family lot needs 20,000 square feet of buildable area, while a centrally sewered lot needs 12,000 square feet11. Residential District structures generally have a 50-foot front setback from a public-road right-of-way, 10-foot side yards and a 30-foot rear yard, with a narrower front-setback exception for a qualifying older subdivision16. The ordinary Residential District height limit is 35 feet, while agricultural buildings are exempt from that height rule17. Minimum dwelling size was not confirmed, so ask Environmental Services about the proposed design and parcel district before purchase2.

How do septic permits work in Murray County?

Murray County Environmental Services administers septic permitting and compliance in unincorporated Murray County718. A permit is required for a new or replacement SSTS and for work that changes a system's function, treatment capacity, location, design or layout; minor component work that changes none of those characteristics is excluded3. When new construction, an addition or an alteration also requires an SSTS permit, obtain the septic permit with the land-use permit3. The county reviews septic applications within 15 business days, and an issued permit remains valid for 1 year, with a possible extension of no more than 6 months if construction began before expiration3. The system must pass final inspection before the county issues its Certificate of Compliance19. Only about 3.4% of Murray County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make the site and soil evaluation an early contingency20.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Murray County?

Murray County's reviewed rules do not confirm a general right to occupy an RV or tiny home on private land, so ask Environmental Services about the parcel's district and the proposed duration before relying on either use2. In a floodplain district, new RV parks and campground expansions are prohibited, and an RV in an existing park, campground or lot of record must either meet manufactured-home requirements or remain travel-ready under the ordinance8. Minnesota also requires an annual state license when an area accommodates 5 or more tents or recreational camping vehicles on the covered recurring basis, but that campground rule does not answer ordinary single-RV occupancy21. New manufactured homes installed for occupancy must receive the required federal-standard installation inspection22. Murray County allows manufactured homes in specified agricultural-district and temporary supportive-care circumstances, subject to detailed siting, sanitation and removal conditions23.

Building a home in Murray County: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm that the parcel is outside an incorporated municipality and ask Environmental Services to identify its county zoning district and overlays62.
  2. Prepare the scaled site and building plan and apply for the required county zoning certificate142.
  3. Arrange the septic site evaluation early, then submit the septic application with the land-use application when the project requires both320.
  4. Apply online to the Highway Department if the project needs a farm, residential or field entrance onto a county road; for another public highway, contact its road authority415.
  5. If acting as your own contractor, confirm that the state licensing exemption fits your planned occupancy or rental use; the exemption does not waive zoning or other approvals10.
  6. Keep permitted septic work uncovered for inspection and obtain the final Certificate of Compliance19.

What should you check before buying land in Murray County?

Start with zoning jurisdiction, the parcel's district and any shoreland or floodplain overlay, because Murray County regulates unincorporated land and requires a zoning certificate for every structure62. A house, fill placement, culvert or bridge in a Minnesota floodplain requires a floodplain permit under the applicable community ordinance24. Check septic feasibility before waiving contingencies: only about 3.4% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field20. Murray County is mostly gentle terrain, with about 98.4% of land at a slope of 15% or less, but site drainage and soil suitability still need parcel-level review25. Confirm legal road access and secure the controlling road authority's permit for any new entrance415. For carrying costs, the county's effective property-tax rate is about 0.8%, with a median annual bill near $1,3732627.

Watch-outs

  • A Murray County zoning certificate is required even though no residential structural-code building permit is required, and the zoning-certificate rule reaches small, portable and temporary structures12.
  • General private-land RV and tiny-home occupancy remains unconfirmed; ask Environmental Services before treating either as a lawful temporary residence2.
  • Most Murray County soils carry severe limitations for a conventional drain field, because only about 3.4% are rated without severe limitations20.
  • A county-road driveway uses a separate online Highway Department permit, while access to another public highway is controlled by that road's authority415.

Sources

  1. Murray County Zoning/Permits (2026 county census)
  2. Murray County Environmental Services, Planning and Zoning Division (murraycountymn.com)
  3. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  4. Murray County Highway Department (murraycountymn.com)
  5. Murray County Zoning Ordinance (2026 county census)
  6. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  7. Murray County Zoning Ordinance (2026 county census)
  8. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  9. Sec. 326B.805 MN Statutes (2026 county census)
  10. Sec. 326B.805 MN Statutes (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  12. 2025 Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.121 (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  14. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  15. Minnesota Statutes, section 160.18: Access to roads; approaches (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  17. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  18. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  19. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  20. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  21. 2025 Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 327 (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Manufactured home information (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Murray County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  24. Floodplain Regulations (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

County locator

Murray County in Minnesota

56
County map
Murray County highlighted among the Minnesota counties · colored by Index score

How Murray County scores

Seclusion74100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency2699% ev.
Admin Boringness56100% ev.
Durability51100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost60100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$255kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$8,581Land / acre
29.8"Annual rain
13.3% of yrsSevere drought
3.3 / yr (+3.1)Mid-century 100°F days
18.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.6" (+7.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.69×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,862Home insurance / yr
4.9% / yrInsurance growth
1.12%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
6,433People within 30 min
772,135People within 2 hr
10,196Radius comparison (15 mi)
11.4People / sq mi
0.9%Federal land
98.4%Land at 15% slope or less
3.4%Septic soil without severe limits
14,612 acWorkable land screen
1.7%Wooded land
40 tonsBiomass / forest ac
44.3°FAvg temp

Scout Murray County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Murray County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Murray County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Murray County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Murray County zoning in areas outside incorporated municipalities.

    • The ordinance excludes incorporated municipal limits except the expressly stated Article 12, Section 1214.2 and Article 17 general-regulation exceptions.
    • Adopted October 22, 2019; effective January 1, 2020.
    “The jurisdiction of this Ordinance shall apply to all areas in Murray County outside the incorporated limits of municipalities, except those areas in Article 12, Section 1214.2; and with the exception of the General Regulations in Article 17.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Murray County zoning districts described in the adopted county ordinance.

    • The ordinance includes Agricultural, Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Shoreland Overlay, Floodplain, Airport Overlay, Drinking Water Management Overlay, and other district or overlay provisions.
    • The official zoning map and any municipal zoning must be checked for parcel-specific applicability.
    “SECTION 806. LOT SIZE, SETBACK, YARD AND HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential District lots in unincorporated Murray County.

    • Single-family dwelling lots using individual septic require 20,000 square feet of buildable area.
    • Multiple-family lots require 20,000 square feet for the first unit plus 2,500 square feet per additional unit.
    • Lots served by central or group sewer require 12,000 square feet, plus 1,500 square feet per multiple-family unit over one.
    • Each dwelling lot requires minimum width of 100 feet at the building setback line and depth of 120 feet.
    • The minimum lot area does not apply to lots of record at enactment.

    single-family individual-septic minimum lot area: 20000 square feet (Buildable area.) · central/group sewer minimum lot area: 12000 square feet (Additional 1,500 square feet per multiple-family unit over one.) · minimum lot width: 100 feet (At building setback line.) · minimum lot depth: 120 feet (Dwelling lots.)

    “Every lot on which a single-family dwelling is erected shall contain a minimum area of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of buildable area when an individual septic system is used.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential District structures in unincorporated Murray County.

    • Front setback is 50 feet from a public road or highway right-of-way, reducible to 35 feet for a subdivision platted before adoption.
    • Side yards must be at least 10 feet each.
    • Rear yard must be at least 30 feet.
    • Agricultural buildings are exempt from lot-size, yard, and height requirements under the listed exception provision.

    front setback: 50 feet (35 feet for qualifying pre-adoption subdivision.) · side yard: >= 10 feet · rear yard: >= 30 feet

    “All structures shall be setback a minimum setback of fifty (50) feet from the right-of-way line of any public road or highway; except that, this setback may be reduced to thirty-five (35) feet when such public road is part of a subdivision platted prior to the adoption of this Ordinance.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Shoreland Overlay District lots and parcels in unincorporated Murray County.

    • Natural Environment Lakes: impervious surfaces may not exceed 15 percent of lot area or 12,000 square feet, whichever is less.
    • Special Protection District lots may not exceed 20,000 square feet of impervious surface.
    • Overhangs or eaves greater than three feet count as impervious surfaces.
    • Additional shoreland and municipal-specific provisions may apply.

    natural-environment-lake impervious coverage: <= 15 percent (Or 12,000 square feet, whichever is less.) · special-protection impervious surface: <= 20000 square feet · eave threshold: > 3 feet (Counts as impervious surface.)

    “Impervious surfaces of lots or parcels must not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the lot area for Natural Environment Lakes or 12,000 square feet, whichever is less.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Residential District structures in unincorporated Murray County.

    • Agricultural buildings are exempt from the Residential District height requirement.
    • Other zoning districts may have different limits.

    maximum structure height: <= 35 feet (Agricultural buildings exempt.)

    “All structures shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height. B. Agricultural buildings shall be exempt from the height requirements.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles in Murray County floodplain districts.

    • New recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds and expansions are prohibited in any floodplain district.
    • In existing RV parks, campgrounds, or lots of record in the floodplain, the RV must either meet manufactured-home requirements or be travel-ready.
    • Travel-ready requires a current highway license, wheels or internal jacking system with quick-disconnect utilities, and no permanent structural additions.
    • Accessory structures in the Flood Fringe District must be a minimal investment defined as $500, not hinder removal, and meet specified standards.

    minimal accessory-structure investment: 500 USD (Flood Fringe District conditions apply.)

    “New recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds and expansions to existing recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds are prohibited in any floodplain district. Recreational vehicles placed in existing recreational vehicle parks, campgrounds or lots of record in the floodplain must either:”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Manufactured homes used as farm dwellings or dwellings for persons employed in farming operations, and temporary supportive-care dwellings.

    • Agricultural-district manufactured-home use is subject to Article 17 general regulations.
    • A temporary supportive-care dwelling must be accessory to the principal dwelling, located on the existing building site, highway-ready, connected to approved on-site sewage or centralized sewer, bear a State of Minnesota Seal of Compliance, use the existing access drive, and be removed within 30 days after permit termination.
    • Only one temporary dwelling is allowed per property or parcel; it cannot be in Shoreland or Floodplain Overlay Districts.

    temporary dwellings per parcel: 1 · removal after permit termination: 30 days

    “2. Non-farm, single-family dwelling (including single mobile homes)”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    County Department administration of SSTS permitting and compliance in unincorporated Murray County.

    • MPCA rules provide the statewide framework; county ordinances implement and enforce SSTS requirements locally.
    “It is unlawful for any person to construct, install, modify, replace, or operate a SSTS without the appropriate septic permit from the Department.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    SSTS construction, installation, modification, replacement, alteration, repair, or capacity expansion in unincorporated Murray County.

    • Required for a new SSTS, replacement, or component work changing original function, treatment capacity, location, design, layout, or function.
    • Minor repairs or component replacements that do not change those characteristics do not require a septic permit.
    • For new construction, additions, or alterations requiring an SSTS permit, the septic permit must be obtained with the land-use permit.
    • The Department reviews applications within 15 business days.
    • The permit is valid for one year; an extension of no more than six months may be granted if construction began before expiration.
    • A final inspection is required before the Certificate of Compliance is issued.

    application review: 15 business days · permit validity: 1 year · maximum extension: <= 6 months (Construction must have commenced before original expiration.)

    “A septic permit is required for installation of a new SSTS, for replacement of an existing SSTS, or for any repair or replacement of components that will alter the original function of the system, change the treatment capacity of the system, change the location of the system, or otherwise change the original system’s design, layout, or function.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New, replacement, permitted, or expanded SSTS and specified dwelling additions in unincorporated Murray County.

    • Compliance inspections are required for new construction or replacement under the county ordinance and applicable state law.
    • They are required before issuance of a zoning certificate for a dwelling addition increasing livable area, excluding specified decks, open porches, and garages without plumbing fixtures.
    • Installers must notify the Department at least two business days before permitted work.
    • The system must be inspected before covered; a final inspection is required.
    • Existing-system certificates remain valid for three years.

    installer notice: >= 2 business days · existing-system certificate validity: 3 years

    “Satisfactory completion of construction shall be determined following a final inspection. After the final inspection, a Certificate of Compliance will be issued to the property owner by the Department, that the construction or installation of the system was completed in reasonable conformance with the approved design.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation for subdivision lots and structures subject to Murray County SSTS controls.

    • An approved SSTS or centralized sewer connection is required in the applicable subdivision context.
    • Holding tanks are prohibited for subdivision lots.
    • Floodplain systems must avoid floodwater infiltration, discharge, impairment, or contamination.
    “Lots that would require use of holding tanks are prohibited.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Lots in subdivisions governed by Murray County subdivision and shoreland controls.

    • Every lot must have potable water and sewage treatment consistent with Minnesota Rules Chapters 7080-7081, or written confirmation of centralized sewer connection.
    • Each lot must have two soil treatment and dispersal areas or written confirmation of centralized sewer connection.
    • Lots requiring holding tanks are prohibited.
    “A potable water supply and a sewage treatment system consistent with Minnesota Rules, Chapters 7080 – 7081, or successor rules, or written confirmation of connection to a centralized sewer system must be provided for every lot.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural structures and agricultural activities regulated by the Murray County Zoning Ordinance.

    • Agricultural buildings are exempt from specified height requirements.
    • Agricultural concrete fences and agricultural feed bunks are exempt from zoning certificates.
    • Other zoning, shoreland, floodplain, septic, and state requirements may still apply.
    “Agricultural buildings shall be exempt from the height requirements.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivisions and lots subject to Murray County subdivision and shoreland controls.

    • A suitability analysis is required for each proposed subdivision.
    • Subdivisions and lots must meet all official controls, including the Murray County Subdivision Ordinance.
    • Each lot must have potable water and compliant sewage treatment or written confirmation of centralized sewer.
    • Lots requiring holding tanks are prohibited.
    “Subdivisions and each lot in a subdivision shall meet all official controls, including the Murray County Subdivision Ordinance as adopted and amended, so that a variance is not needed later to use the lots for their intended purpose.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development and structures in Murray County floodplain districts.

    • Floodplain permit applications must include a site plan, relevant dimensions and natural features, fill/storage locations, copies of required municipal, county, state, or federal permits, and other information requested by the Zoning Administrator.
    • New or replacement on-site sewage systems must minimize floodwater infiltration and discharge and comply with Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080.2270.
    • Manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored; new RV parks or campground expansions are prohibited in floodplain districts.
    “Permit applications must be submitted to the Zoning Administrator on forms provided by the Zoning Administrator.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning certificate and septic-permit processes in unincorporated Murray County.

    • Zoning certificate applications go to the Zoning Administrator on County forms.
    • Building or alteration applications must include a scaled site/building plan.
    • Septic applications use Department forms and are reviewed within 15 business days.
    • Septic permits are valid for one year, subject to the stated extension rule.

    septic application review: 15 business days

    “Septic Permit applications shall be made on forms provided by the Department and shall include the following information:”
  • Building permitLimited

    No residential structural-code building permit is required. However, Murray County has an adopted county Zoning Ordinance (2019) administered by Environmental Services; zoning certificates are required for all structures, large or small, temporary or permanent. Because that pre-construction land-use/zoning approval can gate an ordinary dwelling, this record is classified as limited.

    Murray County Zoning/Permits ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Minnesota rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner of residential real estate who personally builds or improves residential real estate, as an exemption from the residential contractor licensing requirement.

    • The owner must occupy or intend to occupy the residential real estate for residential purposes, or retain ownership for rental purposes after completion.
    • The exemption does not apply when the owner constructs or improves residential real estate for resale or speculation.
    • An owner is presumed to be building or improving for speculation if the owner constructs or improves more than one property within any 24-month period, unless the properties will be retained for rental purposes.
    • This is a contractor-licensing exemption and does not waive applicable building permits, inspections, or certificates of occupancy.

    speculation presumption threshold: > 1 additional property within 24 months (The presumption does not apply if the properties will be retained by the owner for rental purposes.)

    “The license requirement does not apply to: [...] an owner of residential real estate who builds or improves residential real estate”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the Minnesota State Building Code throughout Minnesota.

    • The State Building Code supersedes the building code of any municipality.
    • The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except for the state inspections and rulemaking identified in Minnesota Statutes section 326B.121, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (1), and the structural-support requirement for translucent panels or other skylights without raised curbs in clause (2).
    • The 2020 Minnesota State Building Code is effective March 31, 2020, except the Minnesota Mechanical Fuel Gas Code, which is effective April 6, 2020.
    • Municipal enforcement generally requires adoption by local ordinance, subject to statutory requirements for certain municipalities and statutory enforcement responsibilities where no adoption ordinance is in effect.
    • The 2024 Minnesota Commercial Energy Code is effective January 5, 2024.
    • Requirements for adult changing stations are effective August 15, 2025, and requirements for window-cleaning safety features are effective November 7, 2025, according to the Department of Labor and Industry update page.

    2020 Minnesota State Building Code effective date: 2020-03-31 (Minnesota Mechanical Fuel Gas Code effective 2020-04-06) · 2024 Minnesota Commercial Energy Code effective date: 2024-01-05 · Adult changing station supplement effective date: 2025-08-15 · Window-cleaning safety feature supplement effective date: 2025-11-07

    “(a) The State Building Code is the standard that applies statewide for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the code.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction or work for which a Minnesota State Building Code permit is required.

    • The work must remain accessible and exposed until approved.
    • The permit applicant must cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection.
    • The building official identifies required inspections; the permit holder must maintain the inspection record card until final approval.
    • Work may not proceed beyond each successive inspection point without building-official approval; noncomplying portions must be corrected and may not be covered or concealed until authorized.
    “Construction or work for which a permit is required is subject to inspection by the building official”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Private or public areas accommodating five or more tents or recreational camping vehicles on a daily, nightly, weekly, or longer basis

    • An annual license from the Minnesota Department of Health is required before establishing, maintaining, conducting, or operating a recreational camping area.
    • The license requires application, payment of the statutory fee, and approval for operation including plan review.
    • A recreational camping area excludes children's camps, industrial camps, migrant labor camps, United States Forest Service camps, state forest service camps, qualifying state wildlife-management or state-owned public-access areas, qualifying temporary holding areas adjacent to motorsports facilities, and a privately owned area used by a private club no more than once annually and no longer than seven consecutive days.
    • A special event recreational camping area operates no more than two times annually and for no more than 14 consecutive days.
    • The statute does not resolve local zoning or land-use requirements.

    minimum accommodated tents or recreational camping vehicles: >= 5 units (Statutory exclusions apply.) · special event operating frequency: <= 2 times annually (Special event recreational camping area.) · special event duration: <= 14 consecutive days (Special event recreational camping area.) · annual license base fee for recreational camping area with 24 or fewer sites: 100 USD (Additional $8 per licensed site; special event areas are excluded from that per-site paragraph.) · annual license base fee for recreational camping area with 25 to 99 sites: 410 USD (Additional $8 per licensed site; special event areas are excluded from that per-site paragraph.) · annual license base fee for recreational camping area with 100 or more sites: 610 USD (Additional $8 per licensed site; special event areas are excluded from that per-site paragraph.)

    “"Recreational camping area" means any area, whether privately or publicly owned, used on a daily, nightly, weekly, or longer basis for the accommodation of five or more tents or recreational camping vehicles free of charge or for compensation. [...] "Special event recreational camping area" means a recreational camping area which operates no more than two times annually and for no more than 14 consecutive days. [...] No person, firm or corporation shall establish, maintain, conduct or operate a manufactured home park or recreational camping area within this state without first obtaining an annual license from the state Department of Health.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Additional ingress to or egress from a public highway for property with a right of direct private access.

    • The access must facilitate efficient use of the property for a particular lawful purpose.
    • The access is subject to reasonable regulation by and a permit from the road authority.
    • Regulation and permitting may address interference with highway construction, maintenance, safe use, appurtenances, and public use.
    “The owner or occupant of property abutting upon a public highway, having a right of direct private access thereto, may provide such other or additional means of ingress from and egress to the highway as will facilitate the efficient use of the property for a particular lawful purpose, subject to reasonable regulation by and permit from the road authority as is necessary to prevent interference with the construction, maintenance and safe use of the highway and its appurtenances and the public use thereof.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Minnesota State Building Code permit fees administered by adopting local municipalities.

    • Fees are determined and established by the local municipality.
    • Fees must cover costs associated with administration and enforcement of the State Building Code.
    • Fees may use a fixed-fee basis, a construction-value sliding fee schedule, or a combination.
    • Fees must be commensurate with services provided.
    “Permit fees are to be determined and established by the local municipality. Permit fees must be established so that they cover all costs associated with administration and enforcement the State Building Code - to run a functioning building department. Permit fees can be developed on a “fixed fee” basis and on a construction “value” type of sliding fee schedule, or a combination of both.”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    County planning and zoning authority over unincorporated areas of Minnesota.

    • The authority applies to a county having less than 300,000 population according to the 1950 federal census.
    • The statute authorizes county planning and zoning activities generally within the qualifying counties; it does not identify a separate unincorporated-area limitation in this section.
    • Except as otherwise provided, a county regardless of population must not enact, amend, or enforce an ordinance eliminating or terminating a lawful use by amortization.
    • The amortization prohibition does not apply to adults-only bookstores, adults-only theaters, or similar adults-only businesses as defined by ordinance.
    • The amortization subdivision does not prohibit nuisance-prevention or nuisance-abatement enforcement or elimination of a use determined to be a public nuisance without payment of compensation.

    population threshold: < 300000 persons (According to the 1950 federal census)

    “having less than 300,000 population according to the 1950 federal census is authorized to carry on county planning and zoning activities.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for ordinary buildings in unincorporated Murray County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Murray County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated Murray County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Murray County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in unincorporated Murray County.

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.

Living off-grid in Murray County, Minnesota

Is Murray County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Murray County scores 56/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: sparse surroundings — about 6,433 people within a 30-minute drive and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (29.8″/yr rainfall).

Do you need a building permit in Murray County, Minnesota?

Murray County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Murray County Environmental Services (Planning & Zoning Division). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Murray County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Murray County is limited to specific cases: Recreational vehicles in Murray County floodplain districts. New recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds and expansions are prohibited in any floodplain district. In existing RV parks, campgrounds, or lots of record in the floodplain, the RV must either meet manufactured-home requirements or be travel-ready. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Murray County, Minnesota?

Land in Murray County runs about $8,581 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Murray County?

Murray County gets about 29.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 13.3% of years.

How remote is Murray County?

A representative private-land location has about 6,433 people within a 30-minute drive and 772,135 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Murray County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

How Murray compares in Minnesota

Compare side-by-side →See all 87 Minnesota counties ranked →