Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Kimball, Minnesota

Kimball’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Most residential and commercial improvement projects inside Kimball city, including the listed new construction and improvement work.

  • The city lists new construction, additions, remodeling, basement finishing, commercial reroofing/residing/window replacement, decks, porches, fences, plumbing, heating, electrical work, garages, and utility sheds.
  • Starting construction before permit issuance carries a penalty.

  “Building permits are required for most residential and commercial improvement projects; including new construction, building additions, remodeling, finishing a basement, commercial re-roofing, commercial re-siding, commercial window replacement, decks, porches, fences, plumbing, heating, electrical work, garages and utility sheds.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures in Kimball city.

  • The code's application, administration, and enforcement are under Minnesota Rule chapter 1300.
  • The city and its contracted Building Inspections Department are the municipal code-enforcement agency.

  “The Minnesota State Building Code, established pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 326B is hereby adopted as the building code for the City of Kimball.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Property use inside Kimball city limits.

  • Land use is governed by the city's zoning ordinance and mapped districts.

  “Planning and zoning regulates property use within the City of Kimball.”

• Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

  Individual sewage disposal systems inside Kimball city.

  • Kimball adopted Stearns County's septic ordinance by reference.
  • Private systems also require City Council and Stearns County action where sewer is unavailable.

  “Private sewage collection and disposal systems in areas in which the sanitary sewer is not within 10 feet of the property line, or which is otherwise not served by the city sanitary sewer system, may be granted a special permit by the City Council and by Stearns County.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Private sewage collection and disposal systems allowed inside Kimball city.

  • A private system is only potentially allowed where sanitary sewer is not within 10 feet of the property line or the property is otherwise not served by city sanitary sewer.
  • The special permit is granted by City Council and Stearns County and can be terminated if sewer becomes available or the system no longer meets approved standards.
  • Permit duration is up to one year and must be renewed annually.

  permit term: <= 1 year (must be renewed annually)

  “Private sewage collection and disposal systems shall be inspected and approved by the City and Stearns County prior to being granted a permit. The permit shall be for a term of up to one year, and shall be renewed annually.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private sewage collection and disposal systems allowed inside Kimball city.

  • Inspection and approval by both the City and Stearns County are prerequisites to the permit.
  • The permit may be terminated if city sanitary sewer becomes available or the system no longer meets approved standards.

  “Private sewage collection and disposal systems shall be inspected and approved by the City and Stearns County prior to being granted a permit.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site sewage disposal inside Kimball city.

  • Use is prohibited where city sanitary sewer service is available in an adjoining street, alley, or right-of-way.
  • Where sewer is unavailable, a special permit and City/Stearns County approval are required.

  “No person shall use a septic tank, drainfield, mound, or other on-site sewage disposal system on any property in the City which has City sanitary sewer service available in an adjoining street, alley, or right-of-way.”

• Well permitLimited

  Private wells inside Kimball city.

  • Private wells are generally barred because municipal water is required when available.
  • An owner with at least one acre containing harvestable crops and/or qualifying green space may apply to the City Council for a well for irrigation.
  • After City Council approval, the applicant must apply through a Minnesota Department of Health licensed contractor and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; drinking-water use is barred.

  minimum property area for exception: >= 1 acre (land containing harvestable crops and/or qualifying green space)

  “An owner of property within the City that consists of a minimum of one (1) acre of land containing harvestable crops and/or an area of such size to be used as green space, shall make application on a form provided by the City requesting City Council approval to drill a private well; upon making the determination that the need to irrigate their property exists.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

  Residences, businesses, and structures inside Kimball city where municipal water and/or sewer is available.

  • Water connection is required so long as municipal water is available.
  • A property used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes must connect within 90 days after official notice if it abuts a street, alley, or right-of-way with a public sanitary sewer main passing not more than 10 feet from its property line.
  • A private sewage system must be discontinued when sewer becomes available.

  sewer-main distance from property line: <= 10 feet (for the mandatory connection rule) · connection deadline after official notice: <= 90 days (for the mandatory connection rule)

  “Every household, business, or industry shall connect to sanitary sewer.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Minor subdivisions of land inside Kimball city.

  • The abbreviated process is limited to specified situations.
  • A minor subdivision must not have been part of a minor subdivision within the preceding five years; city may require plat processing.
  • Application and approval are required before a sale contract or structural permit.

  maximum lots in one qualifying minor division: <= 2 lots (lots fronting on an existing street and meeting all stated criteria)

  “Before any contract is made for the sale of any part thereof, and before any permit for the erection of a structure on such proposed subdivision shall be granted, the subdividing owner or authorized agent, shall file an application and secure approval of a Minor Subdivision.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City building permits and related plan review inside Kimball city.

  • The applicant also pays the Minnesota Statutes section 326B.148 surcharge.
  • Plan-review fee is 65% of the building-permit fee.
  • Fees vary by project valuation and listed counter-permit categories.

  plan review fee: 65 percent of building permit fee

  “Plan Review Fee: Is 65% of the building permit fee.”

Rules another office applies inside Kimball

Kimball 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

  Urban Residential (R-1) lots inside Kimball city.

  • The R-1 district also specifies a 75-foot lot width and 135-foot lot depth.

  minimum lot area: >= 10125 square feet (Urban Residential (R-1))

  “Lot Width - 75 feet Lot Depth - 135 feet 5. Lot Area The minimum lot area shall be 10,125 feet.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Urban Residential (R-1) lots inside Kimball city.

  • Front setbacks are 70 feet on a state highway, 50 feet on a county road, and 30 feet on a city street.
  • Where two or more residences face the same street in a block, the remaining lots' setback is the average of existing buildings' setbacks.

  side-yard setback: >= 10 feet (Urban Residential (R-1)) · rear-yard setback: >= 10 feet (Urban Residential (R-1))

  “The exception to these setback requirements is in a block where two or more residences have already been constructed facing the same street, the setbacks for the remaining lots in that block fronting on the same street shall be determined by the average setback of the existing buildings. 3. Side and Rear Yard Regulations Side Yard - 10 feet Rear Yard - 10 feet”

• Building heightSpecified

  Urban Residential (R-1) buildings inside Kimball city.

  maximum building height: <= 35 feet (also limited to 2 1/2 stories)

  “The maximum height of all buildings shall not exceed 2 1/2 stories or 35 feet.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Kimball city.
• Inspections — Building-code inspections for construction inside Kimball city.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Kimball city.
• Lot coverage — Lots inside Kimball city.
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Kimball city.

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.