Detached Garage Builders in Minneapolis, Minnesota | Western Construction, Inc.

Western Construction, Inc. — Western Garage Builders — designs and builds detached and attached garages in Minneapolis, MN and the surrounding Twin Cities suburbs. We handle the entire process including zoning checks, garage plans, permits, demolition, concrete, framing and inspections. Since 1949, we’ve built thousands of garages across the metro.

If you have questions or want a quote on your new detached garage:
📞 (952) 920-8888

Minneapolis Garage Permit & Zoning Basics

Every city in the Twin Cities has its own rules for garage setbacks, maximum garage size, accessory structure limits, and height restrictions. Western Garage Builders verifies all zoning and garage placement requirements directly with the City of Minneapolis before drawing your site plan.

• Building permit required for most detached garages
• Setbacks vary by zoning and lot size
• Height limits based on roof style and zoning district
• Accessory structure limits apply to sheds + existing garages
• Driveway placement and width rules may apply

Why Homeowners in Minneapolis Choose Western Garage Builders

• We handle zoning, plans, permits and inspections
• Full turnkey construction: demo, slab, framing, roofing & doors
• Local experts since 1949
• Clear communication from quote to final inspection
• Family-owned, Minnesota licensed garage contractor (BC316811)

Related Garage Resources

• Garage Sizes
• Garage Styles
• Garage Pricing
• Garage Construction Process

Ready to start your garage in Minneapolis?
📞 (952) 920-8888

Detached Garages – Setbacks, Height & Code Rules

Building a new garage in the City of Minneapolis can be overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the zoning code. Getting the correct information up front will save you time, money, and frustration.

Western Construction, Inc. — DBA Western Garage Builders — has been building garages in Minneapolis since 1949.
We know the zoning rules, the permit process, and the inspectors. We make it easy.

If you have questions or want a quote:
📞 (952) 920-8888

City of Minneapolis Contact Information

Zoning, inspections, utilities, and right-of-way departments

1. Minneapolis Garage Size, Coverage & Floor Area Rules

Updated to match 2022 Minneapolis Code (official detached accessory structure standards)

Maximum Footprint

• 676 sq ft OR 10% of lot area (whichever is greater)
• Can be increased up to 1,000 sq ft if:
  • Exterior materials match the house
  • Roof pitch matches the house
  • Administrative review is approved

Building Coverage

• House + all accessory structures = Max 45% of lot area

Impervious Surface

• 60% maximum (driveways, walkways, house, garage, patio, etc.)

Impervious Surface Strategy for Tight Minneapolis Lots

• We start by reviewing your survey or lot drawing and calculating existing impervious coverage (house, walks, patios, driveways, existing garage).
• Then we size the new garage and driveway changes so the combined total stays at or below the 60% impervious surface limit.
• On smaller city lots, we often:
  • Use efficient garage footprints (20×22, 22×22 or 22×24) instead of oversizing.
  • Reduce unnecessary concrete pads or widenings that do not help access or parking.
  • Keep walkways and patios in pervious materials where appropriate.
• This approach keeps your project approvable while still giving you a full-size, usable garage.

Gross Floor Area Rule

• The house must have more floor area than all accessory buildings combined.

Eave Projections

• Minimum 6 inches from lot line
• Building code recommends 8 inches

Distance From Dwellings

• At least 6 ft from your house
• At least 10 ft from a neighbor’s house (updated rule)

2. Height Limits for Minneapolis Garages

Minneapolis uses three height tiers for detached accessory structures:

How to Choose the Right Height Tier for Your Minneapolis Garage

• Tier 1 (up to 13 ft) – Best for standard two-stall garages where you want:
  • Straightforward approvals with no administrative review.
  • Simple truss packages and lower construction cost.
  • Storage on wall shelving rather than in an attic.
• Tier 2 (up to 16 ft) – Ideal when you want:
  • Extra storage volume or light attic storage without creating a “tall” garage.
  • A garage that visually matches your home’s siding, trim and roof pitch.
  • Room for taller overhead doors for trucks or SUVs, while staying within city rules.
• Tier 3 (up to 20 ft) – Used more selectively when:
  • You need significant attic storage or workshop space above the cars.
  • Your lot and zoning can support increased setbacks, window requirements and architectural details.
  • You want a garage that looks like a small carriage house or matches a taller home.
• Our process: We review your lot, house design and goals, then recommend the lowest tier that meets your needs. This keeps permitting easier and helps control costs.

Wall Height Limits

• Tier 1 & 2: Max 10 ft wall height
• Tier 3: Up to 14 ft, may be considered “two-story” and trigger additional rules

How Minneapolis Measures Garage Height

• Gable/Hip/Gambrel Roofs: measured to midpoint between eave and peak
• Flat/Shed Roofs: measured to highest roof point
• Mansard Roofs: measured to deck level

3. Real-World Height Examples

Using a standard 22’ × 22’ Minneapolis garage:

• 4/12 Roof Pitch (Standard Truss): midpoint height ≈ 10 ft
• 7/12 Roof Pitch (Storage Truss): midpoint height ≈ 11.45 ft
• 10/12 Roof Pitch (Attic Truss): midpoint height ≈ 12.91 ft

If your midpoint exceeds 12 ft, Minneapolis may require matching the home’s materials & roof pitch and administrative review.

4. Minneapolis Garage Setbacks

Interior Side & Rear Yard (Standard Lots)

• 1 ft interior side & rear setback when the garage is in the rear 40% (or rear 20% of smaller lots)
• If vehicle doors face the rear lot line, no reduction of rear yard is allowed

Taller Structures

• Garages over 13 ft high that do not match house materials and pitch may require up to 3 ft interior side & rear setbacks

Alley Garages

• Alley right-of-way is typically 12–14 ft wide
• Garage walls and eaves cannot encroach into the alley right-of-way

Alley Garage Layout & Snow Storage Strategy

• On alley lots, we place the garage so:
  • You have enough room to pull in and out without hitting fences, poles or dumpsters.
  • Snow can be pushed to one side without blocking doors or neighboring garages.
  • Trash and recycling carts still have a clear path to the alley.
• We also confirm:
  • Overhead power lines and utility poles are accounted for.
  • Alley grade and drainage do not send water back toward the slab.
  • Curb cuts or alley access rules are satisfied without additional permits.
• This type of planning is one of the main reasons Minneapolis homeowners hire Western Garage Builders instead of trying to sketch everything themselves.

Corner Lots

• Side-street setbacks generally follow residential zoning rules (often around 10 ft or more depending on house placement and zoning district)

5. Distance Requirements

6. Multiple Garages on One Lot

• More than one garage is allowed if structures are at least 6 ft apart
• Combined accessory structure area must still meet footprint, coverage, and impervious surface rules

7. Slab, Foundations & Construction Requirements

• Slab must comply with applicable building codes
• All non-compactable material must be removed before pouring concrete
• Laminated beams required on hips/reverse gables
• Slab inspection is required before concrete is poured
• Sheathing inspection may be required depending on design

8. Required Minneapolis Permits

• Building Permit: Required
• Electrical Permit: Required if adding power
• Demolition Permit: Generally not required for standard garage removal, but rules can vary by project
• Driveway Permit: Often not required, but curb cuts may require separate review

Permit applications typically include:

• Two copies of all forms
• Plot plan or survey
• Elevation drawings
• Accessory structure materials and roof pitch noted
• Property corner irons located and exposed as needed

9. Required Minneapolis Inspections

• Footing/Slab inspection
• Sheathing inspection (if applicable)
• Electrical inspections
• Final building inspection after wiring and overhead garage door are installed

Western Garage Builders coordinates all required inspections with the City of Minneapolis for you.

10. Administrative Review for Larger/Taller Garages

Administrative review is required when you:

• Exceed 676 sq ft of footprint
• Exceed 13 ft in height
• Request up to 16 ft or 20 ft in height
• Match the home’s exterior materials and roof pitch to qualify for increased height

Applications typically require:

• Correct fees
• Elevations for the house and proposed garage
• Scaled and dimensioned site plan
• Floor plans for the house and garage
• Photos of the principal structure

How Western Garage Builders Manages Minneapolis Administrative Review

• Step 1 – Zoning & survey check: We start by confirming your zoning district, lot size, existing structures and any overlays that might affect height or size.
• Step 2 – Concept layout: We design a garage that meets your goals (storage, vehicle size, door height) and fits within realistic administrative review limits.
• Step 3 – Drawings & documents: We prepare site plans, floor plans and elevations that follow Minneapolis submittal standards so reviewers have everything they need in one package.
• Step 4 – Submittal & follow-up: We submit the application, respond to zoning or plan review comments, and adjust drawings if the City requests tweaks.
• Step 5 – Build to approved plans: Once approved, our crews build exactly to the stamped plans so inspections go smoothly and final approval is straightforward.

Common Minneapolis Garage Mistakes (And How We Avoid Them)

• Placing the garage too close to the alley or lot line. We verify property lines, alley widths and setbacks so your slab, walls and eaves stay out of the right-of-way.
• Blowing past the 60% impervious surface limit. We run the numbers on house, walks, patio, driveway and garage so your project meets coverage limits before you apply.
• Designing a garage that is taller than the code allows for the chosen tier. We select truss types, wall heights and roof pitch to stay inside Tier 1, 2 or 3 rules.
• Forgetting accessory structure totals. Existing sheds or older garages still count; we factor them in when sizing your new detached garage.
• DIY site plans that don’t match the survey. We base our plans on real lot dimensions and known corners so Minneapolis reviewers can trust the drawings.
• Not planning for snow, trash and everyday use. Door placement, man-door location and slab slope are all laid out for real-world Minneapolis winters and alley use.

Need Help Understanding Minneapolis Garage Rules?

If you’re not sure how these rules apply to your lot, or you’d rather not dig through zoning tables and city code, we’re here to help.

Western Garage Builders — part of Western Construction, Inc. — handles Minneapolis permits, zoning checks, inspections, and code compliance for every garage we build.

Share your address and we’ll verify your setbacks and maximum garage size.

📞 (952) 920-8888