Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Zimmerman, Minnesota

Zimmerman’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New single-family residential construction within Zimmerman city limits.

  • Application and payment are due before construction begins.
  • The city lists two sets of blueprints, a mechanical-code compliance worksheet, certified lot survey, state contractor-license copy, energy-code compliance, and subcontractor list.
  • Some developments require a signed print from the developer.

  “BUILDING PERMIT: Application & payment due before construction begins, paid by builder”

• InspectionsRequired

  Manufactured homes installed within Zimmerman city limits.

  • All required inspections must be completed before the manufactured home can be occupied.

  “All required inspections shall be completed and a Certificate of Occupancy issued before the home can be occupied.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Manufactured homes installed within Zimmerman city limits.

  • Required inspections must be completed before occupancy.

  “All required inspections shall be completed and a Certificate of Occupancy issued before the home can be occupied.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land developed within Zimmerman city limits.

  • City staff reviews zoning-code and map amendments, conditional use permits, and variances.

  “Recommendations on proposals and applications are based upon City Code, including the zoning and subdivision regulations, the Comprehensive Plan, transportation and redevelopment plans, and other City policies.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes moved into, out of, or within Zimmerman city limits.

  • A moving permit is required before moving the home.
  • The application requires signatures from Centerpoint Energy, Connexus Energy, Windstream, Midcontinent, Sherburne County Police, City Engineer, and Building Official before permit issuance.
  • A certificate of occupancy is required before the home can be occupied.

  “Permits are required before moving a home into, out of, or within the city limits.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  New single-family residential construction within Zimmerman city limits.

  • Application and payment are due before construction begins.
  • The city specifies submitted plans, survey, code-compliance documentation, contractor-license copy, and subcontractor list.
  • Some developments require a signed print from the developer.

  “TWO SETS OF BLUE PRINTS MECHANICAL CODE COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET CERTIFIED LOT SURVEY COPY OF STATE CONTRACTORS LICENSE ENERGY CODE COMPLIANCE SUB-CONTRACTORS LIST”

Rules another office applies inside Zimmerman

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

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Subsurface sewage treatment systems inside Zimmerman city limits.

  • Zimmerman delegated SSTS regulation and permitting to the Sherburne County Planning and Zoning Office through a service contract.
  • Zimmerman adopted Sherburne County Zoning Ordinance section 17.5 by reference for private septic systems.

  “At the July 21, 2025 Council meeting, Council adopted a resolution delegating regulation and permitting of Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) to the Sherburne County Planning and Zoning Office, as well as approving a Service Contract with Sherburne County reflecting that delegation.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Holding-tank replacements for private SSTS inside Zimmerman city limits.

  • A holding-tank pumping contract is also required.

  “A permit is required to replace a holding tank. Additionally, a Holding Tank Pumping Contract is required.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Permitted SSTS installations inside Zimmerman city limits.

  • The installer must contact the Zoning Office at least 24 hours before inspections.
  • Some systems may require multiple inspections.
  • A certificate of installation is issued once the final inspection is approved.

  inspection notice: >= 24 hours (Installer contact to the Zoning Office before inspections.)

  “It is required that the installer contact the Zoning Office for inspections at least 24 hours ahead of time. Some systems may have multiple inspections. Once the final inspection is approved, a certificate of installation will be issued.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building code adopted — Building work within Zimmerman city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Zimmerman city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Lots inside Zimmerman city limits.
• Setbacks — Structures inside Zimmerman city limits.
• Lot coverage — Lots inside Zimmerman 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.