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

Buffalo Lake’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Most construction projects inside Buffalo Lake city limits.

  • No permit is needed for utility sheds under 120 square feet, water softeners, air conditioners, storm windows, repairs, and interior remodeling unless a wall is moved or added.
  • Costs are based on project value.
  • All projects require zoning review and approval before work.

  utility-shed exemption threshold: < 120 square feet (Utility sheds under this size are listed as not needing a building permit.)

  “Residents should remember that a Building Permit is needed for most projects. Permits are needed for decks, porches, shingles, siding, windows, doors, furnaces, water heaters, fences, and all new construction projects and additions.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Buffalo Lake city limits.

  • The zoning ordinance operates together with the official zoning map required by § 151.05.

  “This chapter, together with the zoning map required at § 151.05, shall be known as the “City Zoning Ordinance” except as referred to herein, where it shall be known as “this Ordinance” or “this chapter.””

• Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

  Manufactured homes in residential districts inside Buffalo Lake city limits.

  • Manufactured homes must comply with all district zoning regulations.
  • A building permit and all other required permits must be obtained.
  • Only homes compliant with the Manufactured Home Building Code may be located in and used as a dwelling within the city.

  “The city authorizes the placement of manufactured homes in residential districts within the city if such manufactured homes comply with the following conditions:”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private wastewater disposal systems inside Buffalo Lake city limits where public sewer is unavailable under § 51.018.

  • The city must sign the private-wastewater permit.
  • System design must comply with Minn. Rules chapter 7080.

  “Prior to commencement of construction of a private wastewater disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the City.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction of a private wastewater disposal system inside Buffalo Lake city limits.

  • Permit must be obtained before construction.
  • The application must use the city form and include plans, specifications, and other information the city deems necessary.

  “Prior to commencement of construction of a private wastewater disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the City.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Permitted private wastewater disposal systems inside Buffalo Lake city limits.

  • The permit does not become effective until installation satisfies the city or its authorized representative.
  • Applicant must notify the city before underground portions are covered.
  • The inspection is to be made within 24 hours after notice.
  • Entry without permission requires a search warrant except in emergencies.

  inspection timing after notice: <= 24 hours (After receipt of the applicant's notice that work is ready for final inspection.)

  “The inspection shall be made within 24 hours of the receipt of notice.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private wastewater disposal inside Buffalo Lake city limits where city public sewer is unavailable under § 51.018.

  • Private system must comply with city private-wastewater provisions and Minn. Rules chapter 7080.
  • Private systems are otherwise prohibited by § 51.017.
  • No septic tank or cesspool may discharge to a natural outlet.

  “Where a public sewer is not available under the provisions of § 51.018, the building sewer shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of this subchapter and Minn. Rules Ch. 7080, Design Standards for Individual Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems, as they may be amended from time to time.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Properties inside Buffalo Lake city limits generating wastewater and adjacent to a city public sanitary sewer.

  • Existing structures have 365 days after the public sewer becomes operational if the sewer is within 200 feet of the wastewater-generating structure.
  • Future buildings on property adjacent to public sewer must connect immediately.
  • A ten-day notice is served if required connections are not made.

  public-sewer availability distance: <= 200 feet (Measured from the wastewater-generating structure.) · existing-structure connection deadline: <= 365 days (After public sewer is operational.)

  “within 365 days of the date the public sewer is operational; provided, the public sewer is within 200 feet of the structure generating the wastewater. All future buildings constructed on property adjacent to the public sewer shall be required to immediately connect to the public sewer.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Buffalo Lake city limits.

  • A subdivision creating one or more parcels, tracts, or lots less than five acres must be platted, subject to chapter exemptions.
  • No property may be subdivided, offered for sale, or have a plat recorded until preapplication meeting and preliminary and final plat approval.
  • Subdivisions must be consistent with the zoning ordinance and official zoning maps, if any.

  platting threshold: < 5 acres (One or more resulting parcels, tracts, or lots; subject to chapter exemptions.)

  “Any subdivision creating parcels, tracts, or lots which results in one or more parcels, tracts or lots of less than five acres shall be platted, except as provided in this chapter.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building and land-use permits inside Buffalo Lake city limits.

  • The official code's Appendix A lists a 0.25% estimated-project-value charge, $50 residential/commercial minimum, and $10,000 commercial maximum.
  • The city planning page states permit costs are based on project value.

  commercial and residential building permit charge: 0.25 percent of estimated project value (Minimum and maximum stated separately.) · residential/commercial permit minimum: >= 50 USD (Commercial and residential permits.) · commercial permit maximum: <= 10000 USD (Commercial permits.)

  “Commercial and residential charges: .25% of the estimated value of the project with a minimum for of $50.00 for residential and commercial permits, and a maximum of $10,000.00 for commercial permits.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building and zoning permit applicants inside Buffalo Lake city limits.

  • Projects must have zoning checked and approved before work.
  • Zoning permits are required for all buildings under 120 square feet, fences, rezonings, conditional use permits, and variances.
  • Costs are based upon project value.

  “Please remember that all projects still need to have the zoning checked and approved before any work can be done. Zoning Permits are still required for all buildings under 120 square feet, all fences, rezoning's, conditional use permits, and variances.”

Rules another office applies inside Buffalo Lake

Buffalo Lake 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

  Lots in Buffalo Lake R-1 Low Density Residential District.

  • Subject to additional requirements, exceptions, and modifications in the zoning chapter.
  • Minimum lot width is 75 feet.

  minimum lot area: >= 10000 square feet (R-1 District; stated as 100 x 100.) · minimum lot width: >= 75 feet (R-1 District.)

  “(1) Lot area. 10,000 square feet (100 x 100). (2) Lot width. 75 feet.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Structures in Buffalo Lake R-1 Low Density Residential District.

  • Subject to additional requirements, exceptions, and modifications in the zoning chapter.
  • Corner-lot side yard may not be less than the setback of an adjacent lot with its front yard on the same street.
  • Detached accessory-building setbacks are separately specified.

  front-yard setback: >= 30 feet (R-1 District.) · side-yard setback: >= 5 feet (R-1 District.) · corner-lot street-side setback: >= 25 feet (Cannot be less than adjacent lot front-yard setback on same street.) · rear-yard setback: >= 30 feet (R-1 District.)

  “(a) Front yards. Not less than 30 feet; (b) Side yards. 5 feet. (c) Side yards, corner lots. 25 feet on side adjacent to street, but in no case less than the setback of an adjacent lot which has its front yard on the same street. (d) Rear yards. 30 feet.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Structures in Buffalo Lake R-1 Low Density Residential District.

  • Water towers, chimneys, flag poles, antennae, wind-energy systems, church spires, church belfries or domes without habitable space, and support towers permitted by § 150.04 are excepted from height limitations.

  maximum height: <= 35 feet (No structure may exceed two stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.) · maximum stories: <= 2 stories (No structure may exceed two stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.)

  “No structure shall exceed 2 stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders seeking construction permits inside Buffalo Lake city limits.
• Inspections — General residential building inspections inside Buffalo Lake city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of newly built or altered residential structures inside Buffalo Lake city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings in Buffalo Lake R-1 Low Density Residential District.
• Lot coverage — Principal dwelling lot coverage in Buffalo Lake R-1 Low Density Residential District.

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.