Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Savage, Minnesota

Savage’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New single-family construction inside Savage city limits.

  • A building permit must be issued before work starts.
  • The handout requires materials including a building-permit application, plans, survey, builders-deposit form, and required erosion/sediment-control approval.

  “The following indicates the requirements to obtain a permit for new single-family construction: Building Permit Application”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  New single-family structures inside Savage city limits.

  • A satisfactory final inspection is required before issuance.
  • The restriction includes storing furniture or other items before the certificate is obtained.

  “A Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained before a structure may be legally occupied or before the storing of furniture or any other items. The Certificate of Occupancy will be issued upon completion of a satisfactory final inspection.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land uses and structures inside Savage city limits.

  • The zoning code applies to all uses of land or structures and related changes, subject to applicable city, county, state, and federal regulations.
  • The chapter became effective June 1, 2026 and superseded the prior Chapter 152.

  “All uses of land or structures, structural alterations or relocation of existing buildings, and enlargements of, additions to, or intensification of existing uses shall be subject to all applicable regulations of this chapter.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Savage city limits.

  • The official zoning map is on file with the Zoning Administrator and is incorporated into Chapter 152.
  • The code's residential/public tables cover R-1, R-2, R-3, P-1, and P-2 districts.

  “The map shall be on file with the Zoning Administrator and hereinafter shall be referred to as “zoning map.” The map and all notations, references, or other information shown thereon shall have the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein and is thereby made a part of this chapter by reference.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes in manufactured-home parks inside Savage city limits.

  • A manufactured home must be affixed to a permanent frost-free foundation with enclosed crawl space allowing inspection access.
  • Before occupancy the owner must remove the axle.
  • Manufactured-home-park standards also require weather shelter or evacuation planning and two public-right-of-way access points.

  minimum distance between dwelling units: >= 12 feet

  “The minimum distance between dwelling units shall be 12 feet. Prior to occupancy, the owner shall remove the axle.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory dwelling units on one-unit detached-dwelling lots inside Savage city limits.

  • Only one ADU is permitted per one-unit detached-dwelling lot.
  • The ADU may not be sold separately or divided from the land.
  • The owner or legally authorized representative must reside on the property.
  • The unit must comply with applicable location, parking, design, setback, and impervious-surface standards.

  maximum ADU floor area relative to principal dwelling: <= 50 percent (Or 1,500 square feet, whichever is less.) · maximum ADU floor area: <= 1500 square feet (Whichever is less than 50 percent of the principal dwelling's gross floor area.)

  “The gross floor area of the accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 50 percent of the principal dwelling’s gross floor area, or 1,500 square feet, whichever is less.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

  Dwellings and commercial establishments inside Savage city limits when the described public utility availability and notice conditions apply.

  • A dwelling must be within 200 feet of the proposed construction along which sewer mains have been constructed and the property must abut or have access to a public street or alley.
  • The sewer connection must occur within 90 days after written City Clerk notice ordered by Council.
  • An ISTS installed or replaced before public sewer availability may continue only if the owner obtains a City waiver under §53.02.

  utility-main distance: <= 200 feet (Applies to the described proposed sewer or water-main availability condition.) · connection deadline after notice: <= 90 days (After mailing or delivering official notice.)

  “Generally, if a dwelling is located within 200 feet of a new sanitary sewer or water main, the property owner must connect after receiving notification from the City Clerk.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in all floodplain districts inside Savage city limits.

  • The permit is required before the listed development activities and verifies conformity with all applicable floodplain standards.
  • Variances must comply with state statutes and zoning-code §152.816.

  “A permit must be obtained from the Zoning Administrator to verify if a development meets all applicable standards outlined in this division prior to conducting the following activities:”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term-rental uses in the residential districts shown in the Savage Zoning Code.

  • The use table designates short-term rentals as PS in R-1, R-2, and R-3.
  • Each short-term rental must meet all requirements in City Code Chapter 103.

  “Any short-term rental use shall meet all the requirements listed in Chapter 103 of the City Code.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Published City building-permit fee examples inside Savage city limits.

  • The fee document presents a general summary of common building projects; additional plumbing, mechanical, and/or fireplace fees may apply.

  residential lawn-irrigation plumbing permit fee: 70 USD · residential water-heater plumbing permit fee: 70 USD

  “RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING Lawn Irrigation | $70.00 --- | --- RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING Water Heater | $70.00”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  New single-family building-permit applications inside Savage city limits.

  • Erosion and sediment controls must be in place and approved before permit release.
  • The process requires a building-permit application and supporting construction materials.

  “All erosion/sediment control must be in place and approved before permit will be released.”

Rules another office applies inside Savage

Savage 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

  Single-unit detached dwellings in the R-1 Low-Density Residential District inside Savage city limits.

  • Lot dimensions remain subject to standards or exemptions in Article 152.300 General Zoning Provisions.

  minimum lot area: >= 8000 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 70 feet

  “R-1 Low-Density Residential | Use | Dwelling, Single-Unit Detached | | 8,000 | Lot Area 8,000 | | 70 | Lot Width 70”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Uses in the R-1 Low-Density Residential District inside Savage city limits.

  • Table 2-4 establishes the applicable standards; a use not listed receives the most restrictive base-district setback.
  • The table includes distinct standards by use and yard type.

  “Table 2-4 establishes the minimum site dimension standards for the R-1, R-2, R-3, P-1 and P-2 zoning districts.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Uses in the R-1 Low-Density Residential District inside Savage city limits.

  • Height is controlled by Table 2-4 and varies by listed use.

  “Table 2-4: Site Standards for Residential and Public Districts [...] Building Height (Feet)”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Individual sewage treatment systems (ISTS) inside Savage city limits.

  • This applies to Savage ISTS, including homes outside public collection service; public collection service or ISTS serves all properties in the city according to the City plan.

  “The County's Ordinance is effective Countywide with coordination of enforcement and permitting in the larger cities.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Savage city limits.
• Building code adopted — Construction inside Savage city limits.
• Inspections — Building work inside Savage city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Savage city limits.
• Lot coverage — Lots inside Savage 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.