Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Sauk Centre, Minnesota

Sauk Centre’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, altering, remodeling, wrecking, or moving a structure or building in Sauk Centre city.

  • The requirement applies as provided by the International Building Code or other applicable code or ordinances.
  • Application must use the city form.
  • A permit expires if work has not begun within 180 days or is not complete within two years.

  “No person shall erect, alter, remodel, wreck or move any kind of a structure or building or part thereof without first securing a building permit as provided for by International Building Code or other applicable code or ordinances.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction governed by the building code in Sauk Centre city.

  • Optional chapters are excepted unless specifically adopted in § 154.02.
  • The code is enforced by the municipality's designated Minnesota Certified Building Official.

  “The Minnesota State Building Code, as adopted by the Commissioner of Administration pursuant to M.S. §§ 16B.59 to 16B75, as they may be amended from time to time, including all of the amendments, rules and regulations established, adopted and published from time to time by the Minnesota Commissioner of Administration, through the Building Codes and Standards Division is hereby adopted by reference with the exception of the optional chapters, unless specifically adopted in this section.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  A new building or addition in Sauk Centre city.

  • The stated exception is an essential-service use or structure.
  • The certificate must state that the new occupancy complies with all applicable ordinances.

  “Hereafter no new building or addition shall be occupied other than for an essential service use of structure until a certificate of occupancy has been issued stating that the new occupancy complies with all applicable ordinances.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within Sauk Centre city limits.

  • District locations and boundaries are set by the official city zoning map.

  “The City of Sauk Centre is hereby divided into classes of zoning districts as listed below and as shown on the official zoning map, which, together with all the explanatory and supplemental matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared part of this chapter:”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts within Sauk Centre city.

  • The official zoning map, its explanatory matter, and supplements are adopted as part of the zoning chapter.

  “The City of Sauk Centre is hereby divided into classes of zoning districts as listed below and as shown on the official zoning map, which, together with all the explanatory and supplemental matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared part of this chapter:”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Accessory structures in Sauk Centre city residential districts.

  • Accessory structures may not be placed within or on an easement or right-of-way.
  • An accessory garage whose vehicle entrance backs onto a public alley must be at least 20 feet from the alley right-of-way.

  front lot line setback: >= 30 feet · corner side-street lot line setback: >= 25 feet · rear and interior side setback: >= 5 feet

  “Accessory structures shall be set back a minimum of 30 feet from the front lot line, 25 feet from the side street lot line on a corner lot and 5 feet from rear and interior side lot lines and not placed within or on any easement or ROW.”

• Living in an RVProhibited

  Use of a recreational vehicle for living, sleeping, or housekeeping while parked or stored on residentially zoned property in Sauk Centre city.

  • The provision concerns parked or stored recreational vehicles.
  • The city separately permits exterior storage of no more than one recreational vehicle on residentially zoned property when code-compliant.

  “The exterior storage on a residentially zoned property of no more than 1 recreational vehicle is permitted when in compliance with this code. [...] Recreational vehicles shall not be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping while parked or stored.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Occupancy of tents, recreational vehicles, and other temporary dwellings for dwelling purposes in Sauk Centre city.

  • City permission is required.

  “A tent, recreation vehicle or other temporary dwellings may not be occupied for dwelling purposes except with permission from the city.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Sanitation for uses with plumbing facilities inside Sauk Centre city.

  • Uses with plumbing facilities must connect to public sewer and water under Public Utilities Commission policies and regulations.

  “Uses that include plumbing facilities shall be connected to the public sewer and water system in accordance with the policies and regulations of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

  Uses with plumbing facilities, including a new home, inside Sauk Centre city.

  • Connections must follow policies and regulations of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission.

  “Uses that include plumbing facilities shall be connected to the public sewer and water system in accordance with the policies and regulations of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Divisions of land for lease or sale into two or more lots, parcels, or tracts within Sauk Centre city.

  • Listed exceptions include cemeteries, testamentary/court-ordered divisions, certain pre-effective-date agreements, and qualifying lot additions or two-lot divisions.
  • A plat must be reviewed by the Planning Commission, approved by City Council, and recorded in the Stearns County Recorder's office before validity.

  regulated division threshold: >= 2 lots, parcels, or tracts (For lease or sale)

  “Every division of land for the purpose of lease or sale into 2 or more lots, parcels or tracts within the incorporated area of the City of Sauk Centre or any combination of 2 or more lots shall proceed in compliance with this chapter.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  New residential development and driveways in Sauk Centre city.

  • Every residential building must front a public street.
  • New or modified driveways are limited to a 24-foot maximum width within the boulevard.
  • Driveways in all new residential developments must be paved with bituminous or concrete surfaces.

  maximum driveway width within boulevard: <= 24 feet (Measured from the bottom of the beaver tail)

  “Every residential building hereafter erected shall be located on a lot having frontage on a public street. On all driveways hereafter installed or modified, the maximum driveway width within the boulevard shall be limited to no more than 24 feet as measured from the bottom of the beaver tail.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building, zoning, and land-use permits issued by Sauk Centre city.

  • The published packet identifies the schedule as proposed for 2022 and records varying dates of last change; current fee confirmation should be obtained from the city.
  • The code states that permit fees are assessed in accordance with the municipality's fee schedule and that a surcharge is also collected.

  building-code fee for valuation $1 to $500: 23 USD (Published schedule in December 2021 council packet) · residential zoning permit for new structures: 25 USD (Sheds, fences, and all structures except signs in published schedule)

  “BUILDING/ZONING & LAND USE PERMIT FEES Value/Improvement Building Code Fee (was 1985 fees till 2013 updated to 1994 fees, 2020 updated to 1997 fees)”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction in Sauk Centre city.
• Inspections — Building inspections for residential construction inside Sauk Centre city.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots in Sauk Centre city.
• Lot coverage — Lots in Sauk Centre city.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Sauk Centre 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.