Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Sartell, Minnesota

Sartell’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Work on the two lots addressed in Sartell's September 2023 planning packet.

  • The cited statement is project-specific and does not establish every exemption or threshold citywide.

  “Building Permits will be required to be submitted prior to starting any work on either lot.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Accessory structures approved with a Sartell building permit.

  • For a floating slab or concrete foundation, footing/slab inspection is required before concrete is poured.
  • Framing inspection may occur with final inspection for certain structures.

  “Final inspection: There is only one inspection required for an accessory structure approved with a zoning permit.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within Sartell's corporate boundaries.

  “CITY: The area within the corporate boundaries of the City of Sartell as presently established or as amended by ordinance, annexation, or other legal actions at a future time.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Sartell zoning districts and zoning map.

  • The official zoning map is to be kept by the City Administrator or assignee and amended within 30 days after governing-body amendments.

  “The side yard setback in the R-2 Residence District for all attached housing shall be ten feet (10’). Except corner lots on which the side yard on the intersecting street shall be not less than thirty feet (30’).”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles and trailers on residential property in Sartell.

  • The rule addresses stored or parked recreational vehicles and trailers on residential property.
  • Up to two may be parked outside in a residential district; rear-yard parking and lot-coverage limits apply.

  outside recreational vehicles or trailers: <= 2 vehicles or trailers (Residential district; boat, snowmobiles, ATVs, jet skis, and similar vehicles on a trailer count as one recreational vehicle.) · maximum RV/trailer outside lot coverage: <= 10 percent of lot area

  “Recreational vehicles and trailers shall not be used as a living quarter while stored/parked on a residential property.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveways reviewed under Sartell City Code §11-6-10.

  • Existing legal nonconforming driveways are identified as such in the cited planning review.

  “All driveways are required to have a concrete apron”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rental proposed as a home occupation in Sartell.

  • The evidence only establishes a limit within the ordinance's prohibited-home-occupations provision; it does not resolve every possible short-term-rental use or district.

  short-term rental period: < 30 days (A room or home rental for this period is listed in prohibited home occupations.)

  “Short term rental of a room or home for a period less than 30 days.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Sartell city limits.
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption inside Sartell city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Sartell city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Principal dwellings inside Sartell city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Sartell 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.