Permit Required? Required (over 200 sq ft)
Typical Fee Range $0–$250 Exempt if under 200 sq ft and one-story; larger sheds require a building permit.
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development →

What's Required in Minneapolis

  • No permit required for detached sheds under 200 square feet and one-story
  • Permit ALWAYS required if adding any utilities (power/water)
  • Shed must be non-habitable (no living or sleeping quarters)
  • Must maintain 3-foot side and rear yard setbacks
  • Maximum height for accessory structures is generally 12–15 feet
  • Site plan showing distances to property lines required for any permitted shed

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Minneapolis

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Minneapolis usually comes down to size. In Minneapolis, the cutoff is clear: detached sheds under 200 square feet don’t need a building permit, while anything larger does. A popular 10x12 shed (120 sq ft) comes in under the limit, so it typically doesn’t need a building permit. Larger sheds, and any shed with electrical, plumbing, or a permanent foundation, almost always need a permit regardless of footprint.

Building a Shed Without a Permit in Minneapolis

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Minneapolis, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay under the 200-square-foot limit, sit on a non-permanent base (sheds on skids or a gravel pad are treated more leniently than those on a poured foundation), and have no electrical or plumbing run to it. Crucially, zoning setbacks still apply — your shed usually has to sit a minimum distance from property lines and other structures, and that holds even for a permit-free shed. Confirm both the size exemption and the setback distance with the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Minneapolis

1

Step 1: Size Check

Confirm if your shed is under the 200 sq ft threshold.

2

Step 2: Setback Verification

Ensure the location meets the 3-foot setback from property lines.

3

Step 3: Portal Submission

If over 200 sq ft, apply for a building permit via ProjectDox.

4

Step 4: Fee Payment

Pay the valuation-based permit fee (minimum $83.50) online.

5

Step 5: Inspection

Schedule a final structural inspection for all permitted sheds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only if larger than 200 sq ft or including utilities.
If required, fees start at approx. $83.50 plus plan review.
Generally in the rear or side yard, at least 3 feet from property lines.
In Minneapolis, sheds under 200 square feet can be built without a building permit; anything larger needs one. The exemption usually also requires no permanent foundation and no electrical or plumbing, and zoning setbacks from property lines still apply even without a permit.
Often not, if it’s also within Minneapolis’s 200 sq ft limit and has no utilities — many jurisdictions treat a shed on skids or a gravel pad as movable rather than a permanent building. A poured foundation or any electrical/plumbing typically triggers a permit. Confirm with the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development; zoning setbacks apply either way.