Bolthole Index

Washington County, Minnesota

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Oakdale, Minnesota

Oakdale, Minnesota requires a building permit from the city before construction, enlargement, alteration or demolition of a building or structure1. The City of Oakdale also adopts and administers its own zoning code2. Septic permits are a separate question: we could not confirm who permits septic systems inside Oakdale, so ask Washington County Public Health and Environment before you buy3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the City of Oakdale's Building Official1
Permit process
Online permitting account; permits issued through the city4
Zoning
City zoning code, updated by the City Council in July 202525
Certificate of occupancy
Required before a new dwelling is occupied6
Septic
Unconfirmed inside city limits; Washington County issues septic permits countywide3
Wells
State notification form to the Minnesota Department of Health before drilling7
Owner-builder
State licensing exemption for owner-occupants; permits and inspections still apply8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Oakdale Building Inspection & Code Enforcement

Building permits, plan review and building inspections inside Oakdale city limits

651-739-5150

[email protected]

Online permits →

Septic permits

Washington County Public Health and Environment - Septic (SSTS)

Septic (SSTS) permits and compliance inspections administered by Washington County

651-430-6655

[email protected]

Washington County Government Center, Room 4600, 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Oakdale, MN have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and setbacks?

Yes. The City of Oakdale adopted its zoning code in 1969 and updates it as needed2. The City Council approved updates to the Zoning and Subdivision Codes on July 8, 2025, and the city publishes an interactive zoning map showing the adopted districts5. Subdivision of land inside Oakdale is also regulated by the city9.

Washington County's Development Code does not set Oakdale's zoning. Land use authority outside the county's own township jurisdictions rests with each city, and Oakdale is one of the cities the county lists10.

Oakdale's building permit review checks that projects meet zoning requirements such as yard coverage, setbacks and building height11. We could not confirm the numeric setback, lot-size or height limits for each Oakdale district, or whether the city allows RV living, tiny homes or accessory dwellings. Look up the parcel's district on the city's zoning map, then ask the City of Oakdale before you commit to a plan.

Do you need a building permit in Oakdale, and who issues it?

Yes. Before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, removing or demolishing any building or structure in Oakdale, the owner or the owner's agent must first obtain a permit from the city's Building Official and pay the fees set out in the city code1. Oakdale enforces the Minnesota State Building Code through a Minnesota Certified Building Official12.

The city issues building permits through an online permitting process, and anyone who comes to City Hall is asked to create an online account11. Permits without plan review have a stated review time of 3 business days, and permits requiring plan review have a stated 10 business days11. All building permit fees are on the city's fee schedule, which the City Council sets13.

The city's permit exemptions come from Minnesota Rules 1300.0120 and 1300.0215, and an application may also need review by an outside agency1. Call the city's building inspection office at 651-739-5150 or email [email protected]11.

How do septic permits work inside Oakdale?

We could not confirm who permits septic systems for land inside Oakdale city limits, or whether the city requires a connection to public sewer. Minnesota splits the job: counties, cities and townships review designs and issue construction permits for most septic systems, and the state pollution agency permits only large systems14.

Washington County Public Health and Environment issues septic system permits in Washington County3. The county lists installing a new system, repairing or replacing a system, and changing or expanding the building a system serves as work that needs a permit15. Its single-family installation permit fee is $86816.

If a lot in Oakdale is not on city sewer, call the county septic office at 651-430-6655 or [email protected] before you buy16. Ask the City of Oakdale at the same time whether sewer service is available to the lot.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Oakdale?

We could not confirm an Oakdale rule on living in an RV, on temporary camping, or on tiny-home occupancy. Ask the City of Oakdale's building inspection office before you plan on either.

Two outside rules do not answer the question. Washington County prohibits using a recreational vehicle as a dwelling unit, but that provision covers the unincorporated areas the Development Code governs, not land inside a city17. Minnesota's recreational camping area license applies to areas that accommodate five or more tents or camping vehicles, and the statute does not resolve local zoning18. Neither one says an RV can be a home on a single Oakdale lot.

Building a home in Oakdale: the steps, in order

  1. Find the parcel's zoning district on the city's interactive zoning map and confirm the home type you want is allowed there5.
  2. Settle sewer or septic: ask the City of Oakdale about sewer, and the county septic office about any on-site system3.
  3. Create an account on the city's online permitting system and apply for a building permit4.
  4. Allow for review: permits requiring plan review have a stated 10 business days11.
  5. Schedule inspections through the online application; applicants are prompted to schedule one during the application19.
  6. Finish plumbing, electrical, HVAC and grading and have them approved before scheduling the final inspection, which is required before any occupancy19.
  7. Get the certificate of occupancy before anyone lives in the dwelling6.

An owner who builds their own home can use Minnesota's licensing exemption, but that exemption does not waive building permits, inspections or the certificate of occupancy8.

What stays with Washington County, and what to check before you buy in Oakdale

Septic and well rules do not move to the city by default. Before drilling a water-supply well, the contractor or well owner must submit a notification form and fee to the Minnesota Department of Health7. Septic permits in Washington County come from the county's Public Health and Environment department3.

For land outside Oakdale's limits, the county's rules differ: see the Washington County page for unincorporated land.

On cost, Washington County's effective property tax rate is about 1% and its median property tax bill is $4,012 a year2021. The county's typical home value is about $451,00022. Those are county-wide figures, so check Oakdale's actual tax statement for the parcel.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm who permits septic systems inside Oakdale city limits, so ask Washington County Public Health and Environment and the City of Oakdale before you buy3.
  • Inspections cannot be scheduled for final until plumbing, electrical, HVAC and grading are completed and approved, and the final is required before any occupancy, including personal storage19.
  • The city's rules for RV living, tiny homes, accessory dwellings and numeric lot dimensions were not confirmed, so ask the City of Oakdale about the specific district5.

Sources

  1. CHAPTER 5 - BUILDING REGULATIONS; FIRE CODE | Code of Ordinances | Oakdale, MN (Oakdale), quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning and Subdivision Code Update | Oakdale, MN (Oakdale), quoted and re-checked
  3. Highway Permits, quoted and re-checked
  4. Building Permits | Oakdale, MN (Oakdale), quoted and re-checked
  5. Zoning and Subdivision Code Update | Oakdale, MN (Oakdale), quoted and re-checked
  6. CHAPTER 5 - BUILDING REGULATIONS; FIRE CODE | Code of Ordinances | Oakdale, MN (Oakdale), quoted and re-checked
  7. Constructing a New Water-Supply Well in Minnesota (Oakdale), quoted and re-checked
  8. revisor.mn.gov (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Zoning and Subdivision Code Update | Oakdale, MN (Oakdale), quoted and re-checked
  10. Washington County 2030 Comprehensive Plan, quoted and re-checked
  11. City of Oakdale Building Inspection & Code Enforcement (oakdalemn.gov)
  12. CHAPTER 5 - BUILDING REGULATIONS; FIRE CODE | Code of Ordinances | Oakdale, MN (Oakdale), quoted and re-checked
  13. Building Permits | Oakdale, MN (Oakdale), quoted and re-checked
  14. SSTS design (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS), quoted and re-checked
  16. Washington County Public Health and Environment - Septic (SSTS) (washingtoncountymn.gov)
  17. Chapter Two — Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  18. 2025 Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 327 (Minnesota statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Inspections | Oakdale, MN (Oakdale), quoted and re-checked
  20. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Oakdale

Oakdale’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, improvement, removal, conversion, or demolition of a building or structure inside Oakdale city limits.

    • Permit exemptions are summarized by the City from Minnesota Rules 1300.0120 and 1300.0215.
    • A permit applicant may need outside-agency review and approval.
    “Before proceeding with the construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, improvement, removal, conversion or demolition of any building or structure, the owner or the owner's agent shall first obtain a permit for such purposes from the Building Official and shall pay the fees prescribed in Article 2 of this chapter.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings and structures in Oakdale city.

    • The ordinance incorporates the most current Minnesota State Building Code edition except optional appendix chapters unless specifically adopted.
    • Code enforcement is by the municipality's Minnesota Certified Building Official.
    “This ordinance provides for the application, administration, and enforcement of the Minnesota State Building Code (MSBU) by regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area, and maintenance of all buildings and/or structures in this municipality; provides for the issuance of permits and collection of fees thereof; provides penalties for violation thereof; repeals all ordinances and parts of ordinances that conflict therewith.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Work performed under building permits in Oakdale city.

    • Applicants are prompted to schedule an inspection during the online application process.
    • Final inspection is before any occupancy, including personal storage.
    • Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and grading must be completed and approved before final inspection scheduling.
    “Finals: Before any occupancy, including personal storage. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC and grading must be completed and approved before scheduling. Smoke and C/O detectors must also be in place.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    IRC-1, IRC-2, IRC-3, and IRC-4 occupancies in Oakdale city.

    • Certificate issuance is subject to conditions in Sec. 5-05.
    • It must be issued before occupancy of the dwelling.
    “All IRC-1, IRC-2, IRC-3, and IRC-4 occupancies, as defined in the Minnesota State Building Code, shall require the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) prior to occupancy of the dwelling. The Certificate of Occupancy will be issued subject to the following conditions:”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Oakdale city limits.

    • The City Council approved updates to the Zoning and Subdivision Codes on July 8, 2025.
    “The City of Oakdale’s Zoning Code was first adopted in 1969. Since its adoption, the Code has been updated continuously to address new issues and accommodate growth.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Oakdale city limits.

    • The City provides an updated zoning map and an interactive zoning-map tool showing adopted districts.
    • The City Council approved the zoning-code update on July 8, 2025.
    “View the interactive zoning map tool that shows the adopted districts”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Oakdale city limits.

    • The City Council approved updates to the Zoning and Subdivision Codes on July 8, 2025.
    “On July 8, 2025, the City Council approved the updates to the Zoning and Subdivision Codes.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit applications in Oakdale city.

    • All building permit, plan-review, and related inspection fees are determined by the City Council, excluding the Minnesota State surcharge.
    • The Building Official may authorize refunds subject to stated limits and written application timing.
    “All building permit fees can be found on the City of Oakdale Fee Schedule (pages 1-4).”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit applications in Oakdale city.

    • All building permits use an online permitting process.
    • Applicants coming to City Hall are asked to create an online account.
    • Permits without plan review have a stated three-business-day review timeline; those requiring plan review have a stated ten-business-day timeline.
    “All building permits are now being done via an online permitting process. Visit our online services page to set up your account and begin the permit process.”

Rules another office applies inside Oakdale

Oakdale does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Well permitLimited

    Water-supply wells inside Oakdale city limits, as statewide Minnesota well requirements apply.

    • Before drilling a water-supply well, the contractor or well owner must submit a notification form and appropriate fee to MDH.
    • Some other wells or borings require an MDH permit with review and written approval before work starts.
    “Prior to the start of drilling a water-supply well, the Contractor or well owner must submit a “notification” form, with the appropriate fee, to MDH. The "notification" form is available from a licensed well contractor or MDH.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Oakdale city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential districts inside Oakdale city limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Residential districts inside Oakdale city limits.
  • Setbacks — Residential districts inside Oakdale city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Residential districts inside Oakdale city limits.
15 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Oakdale publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Washington County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Washington County: county rules, score and offices