What's Required in Minneapolis
- One-story sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt from the building permit; larger or two-story sheds need one.
- Every shed must meet zoning, including a 13-foot height cap and 10-foot wall height in urban neighborhood and RM1 districts.
- All detached accessory structures on a lot are limited to 800 square feet or 10 percent of the lot area, whichever is greater.
- A shed must be at least 6 feet from the habitable space or attached garage of the house.
- Side and rear setbacks shrink to 1 foot only in the rear 40 feet or rear 20 percent of the lot.
- Walls less than 5 feet from a property line must be one-hour fire-resistance rated, even without a permit.
- Sheds may not be built in drainage and utility easements.
- Any wiring needs a state electrical permit from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
Do you need a permit for a shed in Minneapolis?
Not for a small one. Minneapolis enforces the Minnesota State Building Code, and Minnesota Rules 1300.0120 exempts one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses when the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. The city's own list of work exempt from permit repeats the rule for one-story tool and storage sheds. A shed larger than 200 square feet, or a two-story shed, needs a building permit from Construction Code Services, part of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED).
Exempt does not mean unregulated. The state rule says an exemption does not authorize work that violates the code or any other ordinance, and the zoning code applies to every shed. In urban neighborhood and RM1 districts a detached accessory structure is capped at 13 feet tall with walls no higher than 10 feet; you can go to 16 feet only if the shed matches the house's exterior materials and roof pitch, through a $240 administrative application. All detached accessory structures together are limited to 800 square feet or 10 percent of the lot area, whichever is greater, and must sit at least 6 feet from the house.
How close to the property line can a shed be?
The interior side yard can shrink to 1 foot when the whole shed is in the rear 40 feet or rear 20 percent of the lot and at least 10 feet from the habitable part of the neighbor's house; the rear yard can also drop to 1 foot. Outside that rear area the normal district setbacks apply. The building code adds its own rule even for permit-exempt sheds: walls closer than 5 feet to the property line must be one-hour fire-resistance rated. Sheds cannot go in drainage and utility easements.
How much does a shed permit cost in Minneapolis?
There is no flat shed fee. A building permit is priced on the value of the job, labor and materials included: $104.20 for the first $2,000 plus $20.60 for each additional $1,000 or fraction, with an $84.20 minimum. Add a plan review fee of 65% of the permit fee when plans are reviewed, plus the state surcharge of 0.0005 times the value. A 240 sq ft shed valued at $6,000 works out to $104.20 + 4 x $20.60 = $186.60, plan review $121.29 and surcharge $3.00, for $310.89. If the reviewer waives plan review, it is $189.60.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| One-story shed, 200 sq ft or less | No building permit | Minn. R. 1300.0120 subp. 4; zoning limits still apply |
| Shed over 200 sq ft, or two stories | Building permit | Valuation fee, 65% plan review, 0.0005 state surcharge |
| Shed between 13 and 16 feet tall | Zoning application, $240 | Must match the house's materials and roof pitch |
| All accessory buildings over 800 sq ft or 10% of lot | Zoning application, $240 | Over 800 sq ft must match the house's exterior materials |
| Adding lights or outlets | State electrical permit (DLI) | Required even when no building permit is needed |
| Wall within 5 feet of the lot line | No extra permit | Wall must be one-hour fire-resistance rated |
| Hiring someone to build it | No state contractor license required | DLI shed fact sheet |
Electrical work in a shed goes to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), not the city. On DLI's homeowner form the smallest permit is the $55 inspection minimum plus the $25 permit fee and $1 surcharge. Start building before a required permit is issued and the city may double your fees.
How to Get a Shed Permit in Minneapolis
Measure the floor area
If the shed is one story and 200 square feet or less, skip the building permit and go straight to the zoning checks.
Check zoning on your lot
Confirm height, total accessory footprint and setbacks for your district on Minneapolis Property Info or by calling 311.
Apply for the building permit
For a larger shed, email the building permit application to [email protected] with the job valuation.
Upload plans in ProjectDox
Follow the ProjectDox invitation to upload a site plan and drawings; initial review takes about 15 business days.
Pay and pass inspections
Pay the fee when the permit is issued, post it on site and schedule the required final inspection.