Bolthole Index

Ramsey County, Minnesota

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in New Brighton, Minnesota

Inside New Brighton, Minnesota, a building permit is required whenever you build, enlarge, alter, repair, convert, demolish or move a building1. The city's own Zoning Code governs land use and is applied during permit review2. Ramsey County does not zone land here3. We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside city limits, so ask Ramsey County Environmental Health4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for building, enlarging, altering, repairing, converting, demolishing or moving a building1
Who issues building permits
City of New Brighton Building Department5
Zoning
City Zoning Code, applied through land-use approval or building-permit review2
Typical RS-1 lot
10,000 square feet minimum; 50% impervious and 30% building coverage maximum67
Certificate of occupancy
Required before a new or moved building is occupied8
Septic
Not confirmed inside city limits; ask Ramsey County Environmental Health4
Owner-builder
State exemption exists for owners who occupy the home; city rule not confirmed9
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed in the Zoning Code; ask the city5

Who to call

Building permits

City of New Brighton Building Department

Building permits and inspections inside New Brighton city limits; the department does not accept paper permit applications.

651-638-2050

803 Old Highway 8 NW New Brighton, MN 55112

Zoning

City of New Brighton Planning & Zoning

Zoning Code, land-use approvals, lot revisions and subdivisions inside New Brighton city limits.

803 Old Highway 8 NW New Brighton, MN 55112

Septic permits

Ramsey County Public Health — Environmental Health

Environmental Health inquiries, including questions about local septic administration.

651-266-8500

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in New Brighton, MN?

Yes. New Brighton requires a building permit whenever you build, enlarge, alter, repair, convert, demolish or move a building1. Minnesota's State Building Code also requires a permit from the local building official for this kind of work10.

Permits that involve plan review generally take 7 to 10 working days to issue, and a permit is not issued until it is paid and reviewed11. Current fees are in the city's published fee schedule12. Work on a new or moved building ends with a final inspection and a certificate of occupancy13.

Who issues building permits in New Brighton, and how do you reach them?

The City of New Brighton Building Department issues building permits and runs inspections inside city limits5. The department does not accept paper permit applications, so apply online11. For questions, email the department or call 651-638-2050 on weekdays5.

This is the city's office, not a Ramsey County one. Ramsey County does not administer zoning here3, so a New Brighton address should not start at a county planning counter.

Does New Brighton have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The City of New Brighton has its own Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan214. Land is classified into a base zoning district, and some land also sits in an overlay district whose rules apply in addition to the base district15.

District matters. In the RS-1 Single-Family Low Density Residential District, the minimum lot area for any permitted use is 10,000 square feet6, and the maximum is 50% impervious surface and 30% building coverage7. Lot revisions and subdivisions also go to the city's Planning Commission16.

We could not confirm a minimum dwelling size, an RV occupancy rule, a temporary camping rule or a complete tiny-home rule in the Zoning Code, so ask the city before you plan on any of those.

How do septic permits work in New Brighton?

We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside New Brighton city limits. Minnesota requires permits for new and replacement septic systems17, and Ramsey County Environmental Health is the office to ask about local septic administration4.

In a densely built county, most addresses connect to a public sewer. We could not confirm a rule on when a new home must connect, so ask the Building Department about sewer and water service before you buy. Well permits inside the city were also not confirmed.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in New Brighton?

We could not confirm an RV or temporary camping rule in New Brighton's Zoning Code, and only a partial tiny-home reference turned up. Ask the Planning & Zoning office before you park or occupy either one14.

Minnesota allows tiny houses as dwellings only subject to the State Building Code and local zoning18. A building permit and certificate of occupancy would apply to any structure you build or move onto a lot8.

Building a home in New Brighton: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and lot standards with Planning & Zoning14.
  2. If you are dividing or revising a lot, plan for Planning Commission review16.
  3. Apply for the building permit online with the Building Department11.
  4. Ask Ramsey County Environmental Health whether any septic work applies to your address4.
  5. Pass the final inspection and obtain a certificate of occupancy before anyone moves in. A temporary certificate may be issued for up to 6 months if no substantial hazard results8.

What stays with Ramsey County, and what to check before you buy

Septic questions go to Ramsey County Environmental Health4. For land outside city limits, see the Ramsey County page. Ramsey County's effective property tax rate is 1.2%19.

If the lot sits in the Floodplain Overlay District, a conditional use permit decided by the City Council applies20. Short-term rentals of 14 consecutive days or less need a city permit first21.

Watch-outs

  • Septic authority inside New Brighton city limits was not confirmed; call Ramsey County Environmental Health before assuming a lot is on public sewer4.
  • The city's owner-builder rule was not confirmed; Minnesota's owner exemption does not apply to homes built for resale9.
  • Driveway and curb-cut approval rules were not confirmed, so ask the Building Department before changing access5.

Sources

  1. Building Department Common Questions & Topics | New Brighton, MN (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning & Zoning | New Brighton, MN (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  3. Draft Ramsey County HRA Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Action Plan (2026 county census)
  4. Ramsey County Public Health — Environmental Health (ramseycountymn.gov)
  5. City of New Brighton Building Department (newbrightonmn.gov)
  6. City of New Brighton Zoning Ordinance (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  7. City of New Brighton Zoning Ordinance (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of New Brighton Zoning Ordinance (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  9. revisor.mn.gov, quoted and re-checked
  10. 1300.0120 - MN Rules Part, quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Department Common Questions & Topics | New Brighton, MN (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  12. Building Department Common Questions & Topics | New Brighton, MN (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  13. City of New Brighton Zoning Ordinance (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  14. City of New Brighton Planning & Zoning (newbrightonmn.gov)
  15. City of New Brighton Zoning Ordinance (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  16. Planning & Zoning | New Brighton, MN (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  17. revisor.mn.gov, quoted and re-checked
  18. Tiny Houses and the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code, quoted and re-checked
  19. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  20. City of New Brighton Zoning Ordinance (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked
  21. City of New Brighton Zoning Ordinance (New Brighton), quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for New Brighton

New Brighton’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, conversion, demolition, or moving within New Brighton city limits.

    • Most plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits may be issued at City Hall or online.
    • parameters vary by project.
    “Whenever you build, enlarge, alter, repair, convert, demolish, or move a building, a permit is required.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New or moved buildings and structures that require a certificate of occupancy within New Brighton city limits.

    • Certificate issuance follows the Building Official's or agent's final inspection and finding of code conformity.
    “A certificate of occupancy will be issued within 10 days of the Building Official or their agents completing a final inspection and making findings that the building or structure conforms to all code requirements.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    A building or structure erected or moved, or a changed use, within New Brighton city limits.

    • A conditional temporary certificate may be issued if no substantial hazard will result; it may not exceed six months.

    temporary certificate maximum period: <= 6 months (Only where the Building Official or agent finds no substantial hazard will result from occupancy before all requirements are met.)

    “No building or structure hereafter erected or moved, or that portion of an existing structure or building erected or moved, shall be occupied or used in whole or in part for any purpose whatsoever until a certificate of occupancy (or a conditional temporary certificate of occupancy) has been issued by the City stating that the building or structure complies with all provisions of this ordinance.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within New Brighton city limits.

    • Projects are reviewed under the Zoning Code through land-use approval or building-permit review.
    “The City has a Zoning Code and a Comprehensive Plan to ensure safe and orderly development and compatible land uses.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land within New Brighton city limits.

    • Land may also be classified into overlay districts, whose development regulations apply in addition to the underlying base district unless expressly stated otherwise.
    “Land within the City is generally classified by this ordinance to be within a specific base zoning district. Land within any base zoning district may also be classified into one or more overlay zoning districts, in which case regulations governing development in the overlay district shall apply in addition to the regulations governing development in the underlying base zoning district, unless expressly stated otherwise.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Lot revisions or subdivisions within New Brighton city limits.

    • Reviewed by the City's Planning Commission.
    “Exceptions and lot revisions or subdivisions must also be reviewed by the City's Planning Commission.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rental of a dwelling unit or portion of one within New Brighton city limits.

    • A short-term rental means a rental of 14 consecutive days or less.
    • A permit under City Code Chapter 18, Article 7 must be issued first.

    short-term rental duration: <= 14 consecutive days

    “No short-term rental of a dwelling unit or portion of a dwelling unit shall occur until a short-term rental permit has been issued subject to the requirements of City Code Chapter 18, Article 7.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City permits within New Brighton city limits.

    • The City directs applicants to its current 2026 Fee Schedule.
    “Please look at our 2026 Fee Schedule (PDF) to view current fees.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications within New Brighton city limits.

    • Paper permit applications are not accepted.
    • A permit is not issued until paid and reviewed.

    plan-review permit issuance time: 7 to 10 working days (Generally; large projects can take two weeks or more.)

    “The City of New Brighton is currently not able to accept paper permit applications.”

Rules another office applies inside New Brighton

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

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    RS-1 Single-Family Low Density Residential District within New Brighton city limits.

    minimum lot area: 10000 square feet (Any permitted use.)

    “Lot Area, minimum Any permitted use 10,000 square feet”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    RS-1 Single-Family Low Density Residential District within New Brighton city limits.

    maximum gross impervious surface coverage: <= 50 percent · maximum gross building coverage: <= 30 percent

    “Maximum Gross Impervious Surface Coverage Maximum Gross Building Coverage [...] 50% 30%”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in New Brighton's Floodplain Overlay District.

    • Conditional-use applications are decided by the City Council and processed under Section 2.4(D).
    • The City must mail the DNR Commissioner a copy sufficiently in advance for at least ten days' notice of the hearing.

    DNR hearing notice: >= 10 days (For a conditional-use permit in the Floodplain Overlay District.)

    “Applications for conditional use permits in the Floodplain Overlay District shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4(D).”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask New Brighton or Ramsey County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction within New Brighton city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — RS-1 Single-Family Low Density Residential District within New Brighton city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Residential occupancy in recreational vehicles on private land within New Brighton city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land within New Brighton city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy within New Brighton city limits.
8 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that New Brighton publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Ramsey County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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