Detached Garage Builders in North St. Paul, MN | Western Construction

Building a detached garage in North St. Paul means working with specific setback, height and size rules for accessory buildings. Western Garage Builders has been building garages throughout the Twin Cities since 1949, and we handle the North St. Paul permit process, site plans and inspections for our customers.

If you have questions or would like a quote, call us at 952-920-8888 or request a quote online.

City of North St. Paul – Building Permits & Inspections

City of North St. Paul – City Hall
2400 Margaret Street
North St. Paul, MN 55109
Main Phone: 651-747-2400
Building Permits & Inspections: 651-747-2407
Website: northstpaul.org

The City also provides a Garage Permit Supplement that outlines submittal requirements and key code items for new or expanded garages. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Do You Need a Permit to Build a Garage in North St. Paul?

In almost all cases, a detached garage in North St. Paul requires a building permit. When you apply, you will typically need:

• A completed building permit application
• A zoning or site plan permit showing lot lines, house, proposed garage and setbacks
• Scaled garage construction drawings (floor plan, elevations and structural details)
• Driveway information if you are adding or changing a driveway
• A survey or accurate scaled drawing when the garage is close to property lines

Western Garage Builders uses the City’s Garage Permit Supplement and zoning information to prepare a complete permit package on your behalf.

North St. Paul Garage Setback Requirements

Your existing North St. Paul city-spec page lists detailed setback standards for garages, including front, side, rear and side-street conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} We translate those rules into plain language for your project. Typical guidelines include:

• Front yard: A detached garage must generally respect the same front setback pattern as the house. Garages cannot be pushed closer to the street than the principal dwelling without specific approval.
• Rear yard – parallel to rear lot line: Garages located parallel to the back property line are often allowed fairly close to the rear line, with a small separation strip to respect required setbacks.
• Rear yard – overhead door facing an alley: When the garage door faces an alley, North St. Paul requires additional distance from the alley line so parked vehicles and doors do not interfere with traffic.
• Rear yard – overhead door facing the house: Where the door faces inward toward the house, rear yard setbacks can be similar to the parallel configuration, but we confirm the exact minimum distance with zoning staff.
• Side yard – behind the house: Side setbacks differ by zoning district; your older notes show side yard distances such as six or nine feet depending on the zone. We verify the current requirement before drawing plans.
• Side yard – along the side of the house: A garage located beside the house rather than fully behind it may be allowed closer in some situations, but only when it cannot practically be attached. This requires a tighter zoning review.
• Side street on corner lots: Corner side yard setbacks are larger, and your older city sheet shows a range of minimum distances where zoning must confirm the exact requirement.

Because some of these setbacks vary by zoning district and lot layout, Western Garage Builders always checks current North St. Paul zoning rules for your specific property before finalizing your garage location.

Distance From the House & Neighboring Homes

The older North St. Paul zoning summary also included minimum separation between a detached garage and the home. Typical points include:

• A minimum distance between the garage and the owner’s dwelling when the garage does not have frost footings or special fire-rated construction.
• Additional fire-resistance requirements when the garage is placed very close to the house or property lines.
• No specific distance from neighboring dwellings beyond meeting property line setbacks, but Minnesota building and fire codes must still be satisfied.

We design your garage to maintain proper separation, meet fire-rating rules, and align with both North St. Paul zoning and Minnesota Residential Code.

Maximum Garage Size in North St. Paul

Your legacy city sheet for North St. Paul lists the following maximum for detached garages: a cap around 1,008 square feet and a limit that the garage not exceed 10% of the lot area. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} While ordinances may be updated over time, the spirit of the rule remains:

• Garage size is limited by a maximum square footage per structure.
• Garage area cannot exceed a fixed percentage of the total lot.
• Lot coverage and accessory structure rules can further limit total outbuilding area.

Western Garage Builders calculates what North St. Paul will currently allow on your lot and then designs your garage to fit within those limits.

Maximum Garage Height in North St. Paul

The North St. Paul summary also specifies height limits for detached garages, including a maximum height measured to the midpoint of the roof and a requirement that the garage remain shorter than the principal structure. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} In practice this means:

• A fixed maximum height (often around 15 feet to the roof midpoint).
• The garage cannot be taller than your house.
• Roof pitch and wall height must be chosen to fit within the height envelope.

We select truss type, roof pitch and wall height to keep your North St. Paul garage within the allowed height while still providing useful storage volume.

Utility Easements, Overhangs & Miscellaneous Rules

North St. Paul’s older garage specifications also address:

• How close a garage wall and roof overhang may be to a utility easement line.
• Requirements to keep garage eaves from projecting into setback areas.
• Concrete slab and footing details, such as monolithic thickened edges and removal of unsuitable soil before placing the slab.
• Exterior finish expectations, often requiring garage siding to be compatible with the house.

Western Garage Builders designs your slab, overhangs and exterior finishes to satisfy these requirements and look good with your home.

Required Inspections for North St. Paul Garages

Your original city sheet lists several typical inspections for a new garage in North St. Paul, including: :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

• Demolition inspection if an existing garage is being removed.
• Footing/Slab inspection after forms, base material and reinforcement are in place and before concrete is poured.
• Framing inspection after walls, roof framing and sheathing are installed and before exterior finishes cover structural elements.
• Electrical inspection when wiring is added, prior to final sign-off.
• Final building inspection after garage doors, siding, roofing and any electrical work are completed.

The City now uses Rum River Consultants for many permits and inspections. We coordinate directly with the current North St. Paul permitting system so you do not have to. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Why Homeowners Choose Western Garage Builders in North St. Paul

• Over 70 years of detached garage experience in the Twin Cities
• We translate older North St. Paul zoning summaries and current code into clear designs
• We prepare site plans, construction drawings and permit applications for you
• We manage demolition, concrete, framing, roofing and final finishing
• We handle inspections and work directly with North St. Paul and their reviewing consultants

Ready to start your North St. Paul garage? Call us at 952-920-8888 or request a quote online.