Detached Garage Builders in St. Louis Park, MN

St. Louis Park Garage Permit & Zoning Requirements

This page is a homeowner-friendly summary of key City of St. Louis Park requirements for detached residential garages and accessory buildings. Final rules depend on zoning district, lot configuration, alley access, backyard size calculations, and building height. Western Construction verifies requirements by address and handles permits as part of a turnkey garage build.

Setbacks & Placement (Yards)

Setbacks are measured from the property line (not fences or pavement). Many homeowners locate property irons or hire a surveyor when lines are unclear.

• Accessory buildings must be located in the backyard or side yard.
• Minimum distance from any side or rear lot line: 2 feet (measured to the closest part of the building, including eaves).
• Detached garages located in the side yard must meet the same side yard setback as the house.
• Adjacent to an alley:
  • 2 feet minimum if the building does not face the alley.
  • 5 feet minimum if the overhead door faces the alley (within ~30 degrees of the alley lot line).
• If the accessory building is less than 6 feet from the house, it is treated as part of the principal building and must meet principal setbacks.

Garage Size Limits (N-1 / N-2 and common constraints)

• In N-1 and N-2, total cumulative ground-floor area of all accessory buildings may not exceed the lesser of 800 sq ft or 25% of the backyard.
• The backyard is calculated as lot width × distance from rear lot line to the rearmost wall of the house.
• Regardless of the 25% maximum, a property may build one detached garage (or detached ADU) up to 576 sq ft. If this exception is used, no additional accessory buildings are permitted and existing accessory buildings must be removed.
• Total cumulative ground-floor area of all accessory buildings must be less than the ground-floor area of the house.
• Up to 60% of the property may be covered with impervious surfaces (buildings, driveways, patios, sidewalks, etc.).

Height Rules

Height is measured from the first-floor elevation (typically top of slab) to the highest point of the structure.

• Accessory buildings up to 15 feet are permitted without extra conditions.
• Accessory buildings over 15 feet are allowed if conditions are met:
  • Maximum height: 24 feet
  • Maximum sidewall height: 9 feet
  • Exterior siding must match the house (example: brick house = brick accessory building)
  • Garage roof pitch must match a roof pitch existing on the house
  • Openings above ground floor are allowed only if:
    • They face the principal building, a street, or an alley
    • They are at least 15 feet from a property line shared with a neighborhood-zoned lot used for a dwelling purpose
• All accessory buildings must be lower than the principal building height as defined by city code.

Design & Use Requirements

• The new building must be compatible in design and materials with the home.
• No kitchen or bathroom facilities unless constructed as an approved accessory dwelling unit (utility sinks and hose bibs are allowed).
• All drains (including floor drains) must connect to the municipal sanitary sewer.
• Accessory buildings may not be used for home occupations.
• The combined width of dormers cannot exceed 50% of the side of the building they are located on.

Driveways

• Driveways must be paved with asphalt, concrete, or driveway-quality pavers.
• A separate driveway permit is required for new driveways.
• New or altered curb cuts require a right-of-way permit from the city engineering department.

Permits & Submittals

• A permit is required before demolition or construction begins.
• Accessory buildings under 200 sq ft do not require a building permit; the city requires a zoning permit instead (often referred to as a “shed permit”).
• Permit submittals typically include a site plan showing:
  • All easements
  • Lot dimensions
  • Distances to property lines from existing house and existing/proposed accessory buildings
  • Power lines
• Building plans typically include plan view, wall cross-section details (footing/anchor/grade-to-sill/framing/roof system/pitch), and two elevation drawings (including labeled exterior materials and total height to peak).

Source: City of St. Louis Park Detached Residential Accessory Buildings handout (2025).