Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Dellwood, Minnesota

Dellwood’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures within Dellwood city limits to which the state building code applies.

  • Optional state-code chapters are excepted unless specifically adopted by the ordinance.

  “The Minnesota State Building Code, as adopted by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 326B, including all amendments, rules and regulations established, adopted and published from time to time by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry, through the Building Codes and Standards Division is hereby adopted by reference with the exception of the optional chapters, unless specifically adopted by this Ordinance.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  A building or structure, or a portion thereof, before use, occupancy, or a change in occupancy classification inside Dellwood city limits.

  • A City Council-approved waiver, variance, or conditional use permit is the stated exception to an otherwise invalid certificate purporting to authorize a code violation.

  “No building or structure may be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion of a building or structure may be made until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy for it as provided in the State Building Code Chapter 1305.1000.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Structures inside Dellwood city limits.

  • The City FAQ identifies an exception under which front and lake setbacks may be aligned with existing structures on adjoining lots; setbacks from water bodies vary.

  front lot line setback: 40 feet · rear lot line setback: 40 feet · side lot line setback: 30 feet

  “Structures | 40 feet from front Lot line 40 feet from rear Lot line 30 feet from side Lot line”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction of a private wastewater disposal system inside Dellwood city limits.

  • The owner must obtain a written permit signed by the city before construction; the application must use the City form and include plans, specifications, and other information the City deems necessary.

  “Prior to commencement of construction of a private wastewater disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the city. The application for the permit shall be made on a form furnished by the city, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications and other information as are deemed necessary to the city.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Permitted private wastewater disposal-system installations inside Dellwood city limits.

  • The permit does not become effective until installation satisfies the City or authorized representative; the applicant must notify the City when ready for final inspection and before underground portions are covered; the inspection must occur within 72 hours after notice.

  final-inspection response time: <= 72 hours (After receipt of notice from the applicant.)

  “A permit for a private wastewater disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the city or its authorized representative. The city or its representative shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction, and in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the city when work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 72 hours of the receipt of notice.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  A sewer connection where public sewer is not available inside Dellwood city limits.

  • The private wastewater disposal system must comply with the City ordinance and Minnesota Rules chapters 7080 through 7083, as amended.

  “The sewer shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of this Ordinance and Minn. Rules Ch. 7080 through 7083 Individual Sewage Treatment Systems, as they may be amended from time to time.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City permits and land-use applications inside Dellwood city limits.

  • The fee page says the listed schedule was last revised effective January 12, 2024; the City states that permit fees are per permit unless specified otherwise.

  building permits: On Valuation · septic permit: 800 USD · zoning permit: 75 USD (Including pool permit in § 153.04.)

  “Building Permits | On Valuation [...] Septic Permit | $800.00 [...] Zoning Permit (including Pool Permit in Section 153.04) | $75.00”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Applications submitted to the City of Dellwood.

  • Fees associated with an application may be mailed by check to City Hall or paid in person.

  “Completed applications may be submitted in person at City Hall, or emailed to cityhall@dellwood.us. To remit payment for any fees associated with the application, you may mail a check to City Hall or pay for it in person.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential building construction inside Dellwood city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Dellwood city limits.
• Inspections — Residential building construction inside Dellwood city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Principal dwellings inside Dellwood city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Dellwood 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.