Bolthole Index

Todd County, Minnesota

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Todd County, Minnesota

73Index Score / 100
#16 of 87 in Minnesota

Todd County, Minnesota requires a county Land Use Permit for construction and administers zoning, septic, subdivision, shoreland and floodplain rules12. The Minnesota State Building Code is the statewide construction standard, but Todd County's local code enforcement could not be confirmed3. Start with the Todd County Planning & Zoning Office4.

At a glance

Building permit
A Todd County Land Use Permit is required for construction1
Zoning
Todd County administers zoning and publishes zoning layers25
Septic
Planning & Zoning administers septic rules; documented system types include inspections67
RV living
Ordinary private use is unconfirmed; rental and approved-campground use is limited89
Minimum home size
Varies by district; Grey Eagle A-1 and R-1 require 840 square feet1011
Owner-builder
A qualifying owner may avoid contractor licensing, but not required permits12
Well
Minnesota requires advance notification and the applicable fee before drilling13

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Todd County Planning & Zoning Office

Land-use permitting and county ordinances related to zoning, septic systems, subdivisions, shoreland and floodplain management

320-732-4420

[email protected]

215 1st Avenue South, Suite 103, Long Prairie, MN 56347

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Todd County, Minnesota?

Todd County requires a Land Use Permit for construction under its land-use ordinance1. The published schedule charges $15 per 100 square feet for a dwelling, subject to a $50 minimum14. The Minnesota State Building Code is the minimum construction standard statewide, but a municipality must adopt it locally to enforce it3. Because Todd County's local adoption and enforcement could not be confirmed, ask Planning & Zoning whether the parcel also needs a building-code permit and who performs inspections. Work requiring a State Building Code permit is subject to inspection15.

Who issues permits in Todd County, and how do you reach the office?

Start with the Todd County Planning & Zoning Office at 215 1st Avenue South, Suite 103, Long Prairie, Minnesota 56347; call 320-732-4420 or email [email protected]4. The office maintains county land-use ordinances covering zoning, septic systems, subdivisions, shoreland and floodplain management4. Todd County regulates subdivision and land division, though the applicable standards and any township or municipal controls must be confirmed for the parcel16. Ask staff to identify the jurisdiction, zoning district and overlays before commissioning plans. County fees are nonrefundable, and after-the-fact charges may be as much as three times the ordinary fee14.

Does Todd County have zoning?

Todd County administers zoning and related land-use ordinances2. The county publishes zoning information in its GIS viewer and a zoning-district story map, but the GIS is not a recorded survey and does not guarantee accuracy or currency5. Local jurisdiction matters because municipal rules can differ17. Grey Eagle Township illustrates that variation: A-1 and R-1 single-family homes require at least 840 square feet of livable space in the principal structure1011. Grey Eagle residential shoreland structures are generally limited to 35 feet in height, except churches and nonresidential agricultural structures18. Grey Eagle Commercial District setbacks are generally 100 feet from a road right-of-way and 50 feet at side and rear lot lines, while single-family dwellings use R-1 standards19. These are township examples, not countywide dimensions.

How do septic permits work in Todd County?

Todd County Planning & Zoning administers the county's septic-system and SSTS ordinances6. Minnesota generally assigns design review and construction permits for systems at or below 10,000 gallons per day to a county, city or township, while larger systems go through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency2021. Todd County's fee schedule documents site inspection and soil verification for Type I and III systems, inspection for advanced systems, and added soil-verification charges when a site needs three or more visits; it does not establish identical inspection rules for every system type7. Only about 7.1% of Todd County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility an early purchase contingency22. Ask Planning & Zoning which design, permit and compliance documents apply to the parcel4.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Todd County?

Todd County's rule for ordinary, non-rental RV occupancy on private land could not be confirmed, and neither could a countywide tiny-home occupancy rule. Ask Planning & Zoning about the parcel's district before placing or occupying either unit4. Within a short-term or vacation rental, an RV, camper, tent, ice house or accessory structure cannot be occupied or rented unless separately licensed and permitted8. An approved seasonal campground in Grey Eagle Township limits each RV unit or park model to 400 square feet and requires compliant septic connections and other site approvals9. That campground may operate only from May 15 through September 3023. Those parcel-specific conditions do not establish a general right to camp elsewhere. Special-event camping follows a separate county health-licensing process24.

Building a home in Todd County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Todd County Planning & Zoning to identify the parcel's jurisdiction, zoning district, shoreland status and floodplain status4.
  1. Confirm whether a local authority enforces the Minnesota State Building Code at the site3.
  1. Arrange septic design and soil work, then confirm the required SSTS permit and inspections67.
  1. Apply for the Todd County Land Use Permit and pay the project fee114.
  1. If access connects to a Minnesota trunk highway, obtain the MnDOT district engineer's permit before constructing or altering the driveway; local permits may also apply25.
  1. Schedule every inspection required by any building-code permit15.

A qualifying owner-builder may be exempt from residential-contractor licensing, but that exemption does not remove land-use, septic or inspection requirements12. Qualifying agricultural buildings are generally outside the State Building Code, but zoning and other land-use rules can still apply26.

What should you check before buying land in Todd County?

Confirm zoning from the applicable ordinance and with Planning & Zoning rather than treating the online map as a survey54. If a tract will be divided, confirm subdivision review before relying on a proposed split27. Make septic feasibility an early contingency because only about 7.1% of Todd County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field22. For a new water-supply well, Minnesota requires notification and the applicable fee before drilling begins, subject to the documented exceptions13. Confirm driveway authority, especially along a state trunk highway25. For price context, the USDA farmland estimate is $3,654 per acre, the typical home value is about $273,092, and the median annual property-tax bill is $1,874282930.

Watch-outs

  • Todd County's local adoption and enforcement of the Minnesota State Building Code could not be confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning who issues any code permit and performs inspections for the parcel4.
  • Todd County's ordinary non-rental RV and countywide tiny-home occupancy rules could not be confirmed; rental and campground approvals answer only their specific uses48.
  • Grey Eagle Township's dimensional rules are local examples, not countywide setbacks, size limits or height limits1918.
  • After-the-fact Planning & Zoning charges may reach three times the ordinary fee, so secure the required approvals before work starts14.

Sources

  1. Todd County MN - Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  2. Planning and Zoning in Todd County, MN, quoted and re-checked
  3. Overview of the Minnesota State Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  4. Todd County Planning & Zoning Office (toddcountymn.gov)
  5. Interactive GIS Mapping, quoted and re-checked
  6. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  7. 2026 Todd County Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  8. Short-Term/Vacation Rentals ordinance amendment and licensing checklist, quoted and re-checked
  9. Todd County Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, August 7, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  10. Grey Eagle Township Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  11. Grey Eagle Township Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  12. Minnesota Statutes § 326B.805, quoted and re-checked
  13. Constructing a New Water-Supply Well in Minnesota, quoted and re-checked
  14. Todd County Planning & Zoning – 2026 Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  15. Minnesota Rules 1300.0210 — Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  16. Planning and Zoning in Todd County, MN, quoted and re-checked
  17. Planning and Zoning in Todd County, MN, quoted and re-checked
  18. Grey Eagle Township Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  19. Grey Eagle Township Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  20. SSTS design (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. SSTS design (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  23. Todd County Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, August 7, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  24. Environmental Health, quoted and re-checked
  25. 8810.4400 DRIVEWAY PERMITS, quoted and re-checked
  26. 2025 Minnesota Statutes, Section 326B.121, quoted and re-checked
  27. Planning and Zoning in Todd County, MN, quoted and re-checked
  28. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  29. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  30. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Todd County in Minnesota

73
County map
Todd County highlighted among the Minnesota counties · colored by Index score

How Todd County scores

Seclusion65100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency60100% ev.
Admin Boringness45100% ev.
Durability66100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost73100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$273kTypical home
1%Property tax
$3,654Land / acre
28.4"Annual rain
6.8% of yrsSevere drought
1.9 / yr (+1.8)Mid-century 100°F days
16.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.67" (+9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.82×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,706Home insurance / yr
3.8% / yrInsurance growth
0.32%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
14,939People within 30 min
1,192,948People within 2 hr
20,473Radius comparison (15 mi)
27.2People / sq mi
0.3%Federal land
94.6%Land at 15% slope or less
7.1%Septic soil without severe limits
37,422 acWorkable land screen
26.3%Wooded land
44.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
41.7°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Todd County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Todd County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Todd County land-use regulation related to zoning, including county-administered zoning ordinances.

    • The county page also identifies septic systems, feedlots, subdivisions, shoreland, gravel pit/mining, and floodplain management as related county land-use ordinance subjects.
    “It is the responsibility of the Todd County Planning & Zoning Office to ensure the development and maintenance of the Todd County land use ordinances related to zoning, septic systems, feedlots, subdivisions, shoreland, gravel pit/mining and floodplain management.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Todd County land-use ordinances related to zoning administered by the Todd County Planning & Zoning Office.
      “It is the responsibility of the Todd County Planning & Zoning Office to ensure the development and maintenance of the Todd County land use ordinances related to zoning, septic systems, feedlots, subdivisions, shoreland, gravel pit/mining and floodplain management.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Countywide aggregate of zoning controls administered by Todd County and incorporated or other local jurisdictions within Todd County.

    • Todd County directly states that it maintains county land-use ordinances related to zoning.
    • The cited source does not establish that every incorporated municipality uses the county ordinance; municipal-specific zoning was not separately verified.
    “The Long Prairie Planning and Zoning Commission is a 9 member board with the following responsibilities: [...] Enforcement and development of the zoning ordinances”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Todd County zoning district information and GIS zoning layers.

    • The county publishes zoning information through its Interactive GIS Mapping service and links a separate Zoning District Information story map.
    • The GIS page warns that the map is a public-service compilation, is not a legally recorded map or survey, and accuracy and currency are not guaranteed.
    “The GIS Viewer is the best way to keep up to date with the layers that are frequently being added or modified including Parcel Boundaries, Address Points, Plats, Zoning and Certified Corners.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles, campers, tents, ice-houses, and accessory structures used for occupancy or rental as part of a Todd County short-term or vacation-rental operation.

    • The use is within the short-term/vacation-rental ordinance scope and does not establish a rule for ordinary non-rental residential occupancy.
    • The recreational vehicle or other listed structure must be licensed and permitted separately before occupancy or rental.
    • Short-term/vacation-rental units must have a compliant SSTS before licensing.
    • A conditional use permit is required when total site capacity exceeds either 15 guests or 5 bedrooms.
    • The ordinance was adopted effective March 1, 2022; existing rentals must obtain licenses when required, and no conditional use permit is required at existing capacity, but expansions must be reviewed, licensed, and permitted if necessary.
    • All subsequent amendments to the incorporated Minnesota statutes and rules are adopted by reference.
    “Recreational Vehicles, Campers, Tents, Ice- Houses, and accessory structures shall not be allowed to be occupied or rented unless licensed and permitted separately.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Camping on your landAllowed (with conditions)

    Special-event camping in Todd County.

    • Todd County Health & Human Services licenses special camping events.
    • The source does not establish unrestricted camping on private land outside the special-event licensing context.
    “Todd County Health & Human Services provides licensing to food, pools and lodging establishments and licensing for special food and camping events.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Countywide administration and maintenance of Todd County land-use ordinances concerning septic systems and SSTS.

    • The county page describes the Planning & Zoning Office's responsibility for county land-use ordinances; state SSTS requirements may also apply.
    “Todd County Planning & Zoning Office to ensure the development and maintenance of the Todd County land use ordinances related to zoning, septic systems”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    SSTS inspections documented in Todd County's fee schedule for Type I and III systems, advanced SSTS, and additional soil-verification visits.

    • Type I and III systems are listed with site inspection and soils verification.
    • Advanced SSTS is listed with inspection.
    • Additional soil-verification inspections are charged per visit when there are three or more visits to the site.
    • The opened schedule does not establish that every SSTS category has identical inspection requirements.

    additional inspection fee: per 150 USD (per visit for 3 or more visits to the site) · advanced SSTS inspection fee: 1500 USD (fee increases or decreases per actual cost)

    “Advanced SSTS with inspection (fee increases or decreases per actual cost) $1,500.00”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Feedlots and other agricultural uses in Todd County agricultural preservation districts.

    • The source states that agricultural uses may be permitted or permitted by conditional use; it does not establish a blanket exemption from Todd County zoning or other regulations.
    • All existing and future feedlots must comply with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Chapter 7020 rules and updates and the Todd County ordinance.
    • The county planning and zoning office administers county land-use ordinances related to zoning and feedlots.
    “Within the agricultural preservation districts, the construction, expansion and operation of feedlots and other agricultural uses are permitted or permitted by conditional uses.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land-division activity administered through Todd County Planning & Zoning, subject to applicable township or municipal controls where those apply.

    • The county page identifies subdivision ordinances as part of the Todd County land-use ordinance program.
    • The reviewed materials did not resolve whether the current countywide subdivision ordinance supersedes or supplements township-specific subdivision controls.
    “Todd County land use ordinances related to zoning, septic systems, feedlots, subdivisions”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision and land-division activity subject to Todd County land-use ordinances.
      “It is the responsibility of the Todd County Planning & Zoning Office to ensure the development and maintenance of the Todd County land use ordinances related to zoning, septic systems, feedlots, subdivisions, shoreland, gravel pit/mining and floodplain management.”
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision of land in Todd County under county land-use ordinances
      “It is the responsibility of the Todd County Planning & Zoning Office to ensure the development and maintenance of the Todd County land use ordinances related to zoning, septic systems, feedlots, subdivisions, shoreland, gravel pit/mining and floodplain management.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term/vacation rentals in Todd County zoning districts and under county health licensing rules.

    • A valid license and a copy filed with Planning & Zoning are required before operation.
    • Licensing is required in AF-1, AF-2, R-10, R-2, UG, RT, and S districts; a Conditional Use Permit is required above 15 guests or 5 bedrooms.
    • In the C district, the use is allowed only if the structure was permitted before August 30, 2006; it is not permitted in the L-MI district.
    • Existing rentals predating adoption on March 1, 2022 must obtain a license when required; no Conditional Use Permit is required at current capacity, but capacity expansion must be reviewed, licensed, and permitted if necessary.
    • A compliant SSTS is required before licensing; parking must be on-site and not in road rights-of-way or block emergency access.

    maximum capacity without CUP: <= 15 guests (CUP required above 15 guests or 5 bedrooms) · maximum bedrooms without CUP: <= 5 bedrooms (CUP required above 5 bedrooms) · preexisting structure date for C-district exception: < 2006-08-30 (structure must have been permitted prior to this date) · adoption date for existing-rental transition: 2022-03-01 (existing rentals must obtain licenses when required)

    “No short‐term/vacation rental may operate without both a valid license issued pursuant to this Ordinance and a copy of said valid license on file with Planning & Zoning.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Todd County Planning & Zoning permits, applications, inspections, and related fees.

    • The schedule is titled 2026 and is dated 8/11/2025; the source does not state that date as an effective date.
    • Residential dwelling fees are $15 per 100 square feet with a $50 minimum; non-residential accessory/agricultural structures are $10 per 100 square feet with a $50 minimum and a $500 cap per structure; commercial/industrial structures are $10 per 100 square feet with a $50 minimum and a $500 cap.
    • Conditional Use Permit and variance applications are $600, with after-the-fact amounts of $1,200; plat applications are $600 plus $200 per lot for 1–4 lots and $1,000 plus $200 per lot for 5 or more lots.
    • After-the-fact charges may be up to three times the fee; special hearing fees are actual cost plus application fee; permit renewal is $25; permits replacing structures destroyed by an act of God have no charge; all fees are non-refundable.

    dwelling structure fee: per 15 USD per 100 sq. ft. ($50.00 minimum) · conditional use permit application: 600 USD (after-the-fact amount $1,200) · variance application: 600 USD (after-the-fact amount $1,200) · permit renewal: 25 USD · all fees refundable: false

    “Todd County Planning & Zoning – 2026 Fee Schedule A. Residential Construction 1. Dwelling structure (includes all floors) ($50.00 minimum) $15.00 Per 100 sq. ft.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Short-term/vacation rental licensing administered by Todd County Health & Human Services, with documentation filed with Planning & Zoning.

    • An on-site inspection is required before license issuance.
    • Applicants must submit an aerial property image showing boundaries, parking, shore recreational facilities, garbage service, and private septic if applicable; a room finish schedule; and, for private septic systems, a current septic compliance inspection.
    • If the property has a private well, water-test results from within the past 12 months are required.
    • The completed application, required documentation, and license fee must be submitted at least two weeks before operating.
    • A valid license and a copy on file with Planning & Zoning are required before operation; each separate dwelling structure requires its own license; a Conditional Use Permit is required when total site capacity exceeds 15 guests or 5 bedrooms.

    advance submission time: >= 2 weeks (before operating) · conditional use permit threshold: > 15 guests (or more than 5 bedrooms) · conditional use permit bedroom threshold: > 5 bedrooms (or more than 15 guests)

    “Submit all required documentation listed above, along with your completed license application, and license fee to Todd County Health & Human Services, 212 2nd Ave S, Long Prairie, MN 56347 at least two weeks prior to operating for short-term/vacation rental.”
  • Building permitRequired

    Todd County Planning & Zoning requires a county Land Use Permit to construct in accordance with the county land use ordinance; structures over 200 sq ft also fall under the MN State Building Code.

    Todd County MN - Planning & Zoning ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Minnesota rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Owner-builders performing residential construction or improvement in Todd County when the issue is Minnesota residential contractor licensure.

    • The owner must occupy or intend to occupy the residential real estate for residential purposes, or retain ownership for rental purposes after completion.
    • The exemption does not apply when the owner constructs or improves residential real estate for resale or speculation.
    • An owner is presumed to be building or improving for speculation if more than one property is constructed or improved within any 24-month period, unless the properties are retained for rental purposes.
    • This exemption concerns the state license requirement and does not eliminate applicable building, land-use, zoning, septic, inspection, or other permits.

    speculation presumption threshold: > 1 property within 24 months (Does not apply if the properties will be retained by the owner for rental purposes.)

    “(3) an owner of residential real estate who builds or improves residential real estate if the owner occupies or will occupy the residential real estate for residential purposes, or will retain ownership for rental purposes upon completion of the building or improvement. This exemption does not apply to an owner who constructs or improves residential real estate for purposes of resale or speculation.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — An owner of residential real estate who personally builds or improves residential real estate, as an exemption from the residential contractor licensing requirement.
      “The license requirement does not apply to: [...] an owner of residential real estate who builds or improves residential real estate”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the Minnesota State Building Code throughout Minnesota.

    • The State Building Code supersedes the building code of any municipality.
    • The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except for the state inspections and rulemaking identified in Minnesota Statutes section 326B.121, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (1), and the structural-support requirement for translucent panels or other skylights without raised curbs in clause (2).
    • The 2020 Minnesota State Building Code is effective March 31, 2020, except the Minnesota Mechanical Fuel Gas Code, which is effective April 6, 2020.
    • Municipal enforcement generally requires adoption by local ordinance, subject to statutory requirements for certain municipalities and statutory enforcement responsibilities where no adoption ordinance is in effect.
    • The 2024 Minnesota Commercial Energy Code is effective January 5, 2024.
    • Requirements for adult changing stations are effective August 15, 2025, and requirements for window-cleaning safety features are effective November 7, 2025, according to the Department of Labor and Industry update page.

    2020 Minnesota State Building Code effective date: 2020-03-31 (Minnesota Mechanical Fuel Gas Code effective 2020-04-06) · 2024 Minnesota Commercial Energy Code effective date: 2024-01-05 · Adult changing station supplement effective date: 2025-08-15 · Window-cleaning safety feature supplement effective date: 2025-11-07

    “(a) The State Building Code is the standard that applies statewide for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the code.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Minnesota State Building Code as the statewide minimum construction standard, including buildings in Todd County.
      “The Minnesota State Building Code is the minimum construction standard throughout all of Minnesota including all cities, townships and counties. Although it isn't enforceable by municipalities unless it is adopted by local ordinance, the State Building Code creates a level playing field for the construction industry by establishing the construction standard for all buildings in the state.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures governed by the Minnesota State Building Code statewide, including applicable work in Todd County.
      “The Minnesota State Building Code is the minimum construction standard throughout all of Minnesota including all cities, townships and counties. Although it isn't enforceable by municipalities unless it is adopted by local ordinance, the State Building Code creates a level playing field for the construction industry by establishing the construction standard for all buildings in the state.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction or work for which a Minnesota State Building Code permit is required, including applicable permitted work in Todd County.

    • The work must remain accessible and exposed for inspection until approved.
    • The permit applicant must arrange access and notify the building official when work is ready.
    • Work may not proceed beyond successive inspection points without approval.
    • A final inspection is required for all work for which a permit is issued.
    • The rule includes specified footing, foundation, slab, rough-in, framing, energy-efficiency, lath/gypsum, manufactured-home, and final inspections, as applicable.
    “Construction or work for which a permit is required is subject to inspection by the building official and the construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction or work for which a Minnesota State Building Code permit is required.
      “Construction or work for which a permit is required is subject to inspection by the building official”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    New manufactured homes installed for occupancy statewide in Minnesota

    • Inspection is required under Federal Installation Standards Programs, CFR 3285 and 3286.
    • Manufactured-home alterations require documentation submitted for review to the Department of Labor and Industry or the local authority having jurisdiction before work begins.
    • Local building officials and local code enforcement may apply depending on the municipality.
    “All new manufactured homes installed in Minnesota for occupancy are required to be inspected according to the Federal Installation Standards Programs, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3285 and 3286.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of most Minnesota SSTS, with construction permits issued by the applicable county, city, or township; large SSTS require MPCA permitting.

    • Local authority and local ordinance requirements vary.
    • Large SSTS designed for a flow greater than 10,000 gallons per day must be permitted by MPCA.
    • Local government units may adopt stricter requirements.

    large SSTS design flow: > 10000 gallons per day (Systems at or below this threshold are generally reviewed and permitted by counties, cities, or townships.)

    “Counties, cities, and townships review designs and issue construction permits for most SSTS in Minnesota, but large sub-surface sewage treatment systems (LSTS) — designed to manage a flow of greater than 10,000 gallons a day — must be permitted by the MPCA”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Primitive dwellings using toilet-waste treatment devices in low dwelling-density areas, and privies governed by Minnesota SSTS rules.

    • Septage disposal by the owner must follow local ordinances.
    • If no local ordinance exists, septage must not be discharged to surface waters, drainageways, steeply sloping areas, or wet areas in a manner or volume harmful to the environment or public health or that creates a nuisance.
    • Material must be buried or covered with soil.
    • If site conditions do not meet the rule, solids disposal must be performed under the applicable rule by a licensed maintenance business.
    • Privy solids must be removed when the privy is filled to one-half capacity.
    • Abandoned pits must have sewage solids and contaminated soil removed and be filled with clean earth and slightly mounded.

    privy solids removal threshold: 50 percent capacity

    “For primitive dwellings using toilet waste treatment devices in low dwelling density areas, septage disposal from these devices by the owner must be in accordance with local ordinances. If no ordinance exists, the septage must not be discharged to surface waters, drainageways, steeply sloping areas, or wet areas in a manner or volume that is harmful to the environment or public health or that creates a nuisance. The material must be buried or covered with soil.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water-supply well construction and other well or boring construction in Todd County under Minnesota requirements.

    • Before drilling a water-supply well, the contractor or owner must submit a notification form and fee to the Minnesota Department of Health.
    • Work may start once the notification and fee have been received.
    • Some other well or boring types, including monitoring wells and bored geothermal heat exchangers, require construction permits and written MDH approval before work begins.
    • The source states that an individual may construct a personal-use well on owned or leased land for farming, agricultural purposes, or the individual's place of abode, subject to the cited statutes and rules.

    water-supply well notification timing: before drilling starts · drive-point well notification fee: 0 USD (the source states no fee is required for drive-point notifications)

    “Prior to the start of drilling a water-supply well [...] must submit a “notification” form, with the appropriate fee, to MDH.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Constructing or altering a driveway connecting to a Minnesota trunk highway, including trunk highways located in Todd County.

    • The permit must be signed by the MnDOT district engineer responsible for maintenance and construction of the trunk highway.
    • No driveway may be constructed from or to a trunk highway until the permit is obtained.
    • Permits required by local governing authorities may also be required.
    • The commissioner of transportation may require a cashier's check, certified check, or surety bond for state repair, engineering supervision, or inspection expenses caused by permitted work.
    • If a deposit is required, its amount is specified in the permit's special provisions; excess funds are returned to the applicant.
    • If there is a change in land use or a major change in the traffic pattern, existing driveways are not automatically perpetuated and new driveway access applications must be submitted.
    • The commissioner may revoke access if permit terms are violated or the access is determined to be particularly hazardous.
    • A variance may be allowed when it facilitates safe, efficient lawful property use and does not interfere with construction, maintenance, or safe and efficient highway use.
    “Authorization to construct or alter a driveway shall consist of a permit duly signed by the district engineer of the Minnesota Department of Transportation having responsibility for the maintenance and construction of the trunk highway in question. No driveway shall be constructed from or to a trunk highway until such permit has been obtained and supplemented by those permits that may be required by local governing authorities.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Additional ingress to or egress from a public highway for property with a right of direct private access.
      “The owner or occupant of property abutting upon a public highway, having a right of direct private access thereto, may provide such other or additional means of ingress from and egress to the highway as will facilitate the efficient use of the property for a particular lawful purpose, subject to reasonable regulation by and permit from the road authority as is necessary to prevent interference with the construction, maintenance and safe use of the highway and its appurtenances and the public use thereof.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Building a house, placing fill, or installing a culvert or bridge in portions of a Minnesota floodplain.

    • Construction and fill are generally permitted only where they comply with the community’s floodplain management ordinance.
    • The cited examples require a floodplain permit.
    • Floodway, flood fringe, mapped floodplain, local zoning, and engineering requirements may affect the result.
    • Local governments administer the applicable floodplain permit in the ordinary case.
    “Construction and fill is generally permitted in portions of the floodplain, provided they adhere to their community’s floodplain management ordinance. Such projects as building a house, placement of fill, or installing a culvert or bridge would all require a floodplain permit.”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    County planning and zoning authority over unincorporated areas of Minnesota.

    • The authority applies to a county having less than 300,000 population according to the 1950 federal census.
    • The statute authorizes county planning and zoning activities generally within the qualifying counties; it does not identify a separate unincorporated-area limitation in this section.
    • Except as otherwise provided, a county regardless of population must not enact, amend, or enforce an ordinance eliminating or terminating a lawful use by amortization.
    • The amortization prohibition does not apply to adults-only bookstores, adults-only theaters, or similar adults-only businesses as defined by ordinance.
    • The amortization subdivision does not prohibit nuisance-prevention or nuisance-abatement enforcement or elimination of a use determined to be a public nuisance without payment of compensation.

    population threshold: < 300000 persons (According to the 1950 federal census)

    “having less than 300,000 population according to the 1950 federal census is authorized to carry on county planning and zoning activities.”

Inside cities and towns in Todd County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in the Grey Eagle Township A-1 Agricultural District.

    • The ordinance also requires compliance with A-1 lot, soil, septic, frontage, density, and permanent-foundation requirements.
    • Carports, overhangs, garages, and similar structures do not count toward livable space.
    • The ordinance states that dwellings must be at least twenty feet in width for two-thirds of the structure's length.

    minimum livable space in principal structure: >= 840 square feet (Carports, overhangs, garages and such structures shall not qualify.) · minimum dwelling width: >= 20 feet (Applies to 2/3rds of the length of the structure.)

    “Each single-family dwelling shall have a minimum of 840 square feet of livable space in the principal structure; Carports, overhangs, garages and such structures shall not qualify in meeting these requirements. All dwellings shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet in width for 2/3rds of the length of the structure.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family dwellings in the Grey Eagle Township R-1 Residential District.
      “Each single family dwelling shall have a minimum of 840 square feet of livable space in the principal structure; Carports, overhangs, garages, and such structures shall not qualify in meeting these requirements. All dwellings shall be a minimum of twenty (20) in width for 2/3rds of the length of the structure.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Structures in the Grey Eagle Township A-1 Agricultural District.

    • The front-yard measurement is from the centerline of a local road, street, or highway, or from the right-of-way of a State highway as specified.
    • The ordinance is district-specific and does not establish countywide setbacks.

    front yard from centerline of local road, street, or highway: >= 68 feet · front yard from right-of-way of State highway: >= 50 feet · side yard from side lot line: >= 30 feet · rear yard from rear lot line: >= 50 feet

    “1. Front Yard. Not less than sixty-eight (68) feet from the centerline of any local road, street, or highway or fifty (50) feet from the right-of-way of any State highway. 2. Side Yard. Not less than thirty (30) feet from a side lot line. 3. Rear Yard. Not less than fifty (50) feet from the rear lot line.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Structures in the Grey Eagle Township R-1 Residential District.
      “1. Front Yard. Not less than fifty (50) feet from the right-of-way of a state highway; not less than sixty-eight (68) feet from the centerline of any town or county road, however established. 2. Side Yard. Not less than ten (10) feet from the lot line. 3. Rear Yard. Not less than twenty (20) feet from the rear lot line.”
    • Specified — Structures in the Grey Eagle Township Commercial C District.
      “1. Front Yard. Not less than one hundred (100) feet from the right-of-way of a state highway; not less than one hundred (100) feet from the right-of-way of any town or county road, however established. 2. Side Yard. Not less than fifty (50) feet from the lot line. 3. Rear Yard. Not less than fifty (50) feet from the rear lot line. 4. Single-family dwellings in the Commercial District. Single-family dwellings in the commercial district will be subject to R-1 regulations for setbacks and lot requirements.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in residential districts within Grey Eagle Township's shoreland controls.

    • Churches and nonresidential agricultural structures are excepted from this height limit.
    • Other district-specific height provisions may apply.

    maximum structure height: <= 35 feet (churches and nonresidential agricultural structures)

    “All structures in residential districts, except churches and nonresidential agricultural structures, must not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in Todd County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size requirements in Todd County zoning districts
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage requirements in Todd County
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of a tiny home outside a campground or short-term/vacation-rental operation in Todd County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Occupancy of an accessory dwelling unit outside a short-term/vacation-rental operation in Todd County.
1 more unanswered
  • Mandatory utility hookup

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.

Water rights & wells in Todd County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Minnesota’s water agency.

Actively managed

This basin is under active state management — new water use is scrutinized, though a domestic well is usually still allowed.

Household wellExempt up to a limit

Regulated-riparian: appropriation permits apply above 10,000 gpd / 1 million gal/yr. Domestic use under those thresholds is exempt; a well-construction notification to the MN Dept. of Health is still required. Household use is far below the cap.

Limit: <=10,000 gpd and <=1,000,000 gal/yr serving <=25 persons

Minnesota DNR — Do I need a water permit? ↗
  • Bonanza Valley Groundwater Management Arealocalized of county

    DNR-designated GWMA (2016) where irrigation-driven groundwater use may be unsustainable; new/expanded appropriation permits get heightened review. Domestic wells exempt.

    Minnesota DNR — Bonanza Valley GWMA ↗

Regulated-riparian state (large uses permitted). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Minnesota state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Todd County, Minnesota

Is Todd County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Todd County scores 73/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and mixed durability signals.

Do you need a building permit in Todd County, Minnesota?

Todd County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Todd County Planning & Zoning (SSTS program, under MPCA). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Todd County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Todd County is limited to specific cases: Recreational vehicles, campers, tents, ice-houses, and accessory structures used for occupancy or rental as part of a Todd County short-term or vacation-rental operation. The use is within the short-term/vacation-rental ordinance scope and does not establish a rule for ordinary non-rental residential occupancy. The recreational vehicle or other listed structure must be licensed and permitted separately before occupancy or rental. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Todd County, Minnesota?

Land in Todd County runs about $3,654 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Todd County?

Todd County gets about 28.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 6.8% of years. On water rights, Todd County lies in the Bonanza Valley Groundwater Management Area — DNR-designated GWMA (2016) where irrigation-driven groundwater use may be unsustainable; new/expanded appropriation permits get heightened review. Domestic wells exempt..

How remote is Todd County?

A representative private-land location has about 14,939 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,192,948 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Todd County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Todd compares in Minnesota

Compare side-by-side →See all 87 Minnesota counties ranked →