Saint Paul allows up to two accessory dwelling units for each one-family dwelling by right under Legislative Code Sec. 65.913, in the RL, H1 and H2 residential districts (the former R1-R4), RM1-RM2, T1-T3 and the BC and F1 districts. Each ADU may be up to 800 sq ft or 75% of the main house's floor area, whichever is greater; a detached ADU building is capped at 25 ft and sits 3 ft from interior lot lines (Sec. 63.501). No owner-occupancy, minimum lot size or parking is required. You need a DSI building permit (zoning review plus plan review); fees follow the city's valuation table plus a 65% plan-check fee and the state surcharge, and a detached ADU normally needs its own sewer and water connections to the street.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Yes — Saint Paul allows ADUs. The size limit is a formula rather than one figure — see the size rule in the table below — under current Minnesota and Saint Paul zoning rules.
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| Allowed Zones | Permitted use wherever there is a one-family dwelling on the lot: RL, H1 and H2 residential districts (the former R1-R4, renamed by Ord. 23-43) and RM1-RM2 multiple-family (Table 66.221), T1-T3 traditional neighborhood (Table 66.321), BC community business (converted) (66.421) and F1 Ford (66.921). An ADU is allowed only with an associated one-family dwelling on the same zoning lot (Sec. 65.913). |
| Max Size (Detached) | 800 sq ft or 75% of the floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater (Sec. 65.913(d)). Floor area is measured from the interior faces of the exterior walls (Sec. 60.207); DSI asks for the main house's floor plans with the permit to check the 75%. All buildings together must also stay under the district lot-coverage cap: 40% RL, 45% H1, 50% H2 (Table 66.231). |
| Max Size (Attached) | 800 sq ft or 75% of the principal dwelling's floor area, whichever is greater (Sec. 65.913(d)). The former 1,000 sq ft minimum house size for an internal ADU and the pre-2016 first-floor rule were repealed by Ord. 23-43. Attached ADUs in RM1-RM2 also count toward the district floor-area ratio. |
| Max Size (JADU) | No junior ADU category. An ADU inside the house (basement, attic or upper floor) is an ordinary ADU with the same 800 sq ft / 75% cap. Upper-floor units need interior stair access to their primary entrance; any exterior stair goes on the side or rear, never the front, and must match the house's finish (Sec. 65.913(e)). |
| Max Height | Detached ADU building: flat 25 ft cap in RL-RM2 districts (Sec. 63.501(d) as amended by Ord. 23-43, which struck the old 'or the height of the house, whichever is less'). Height is measured to the average of eaves and ridge on a pitched roof (Sec. 60.203). Attached or internal ADUs follow the house's district limit: 35 ft RL and H1, 39 ft H2 (36 ft flat roof), 40 ft RM1 (Table 66.231). Heritage sites/districts: height set through design review. |
| Max Units | Two ADUs for each one-family dwelling on the zoning lot (Sec. 65.913(a)); a lot with two houses may have four. If two ADUs serve one house, at least one must be detached, unless at least 50% of the floor area of an existing principal residential structure is retained, in which case both may be attached. ADUs are permitted only where there is an associated one-family dwelling on the lot. |
Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Saint Paul requires a rear setback of about 1 ft for a detached ADU, and no additional parking is required. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.
| Rear Setback | Detached ADU: may sit in the required rear yard; 1 ft minimum from an alley right-of-way, otherwise 3 ft from the rear (interior) lot line (Sec. 63.501(b)). The 3 ft interior-line setback is waived with a recorded maintenance easement if the building stays 3 ft from any building next door. Attached ADU: the house's rear setback, 10 ft in RL, H1 and H2 (Table 66.231). |
| Side Setback | Detached ADU: 3 ft from interior side lot lines, with overhangs at least one-third of that or 1 ft; on a corner lot the side-street setback equals the house's; a detached building within 6 ft of the house is treated as attached for setbacks and coverage (Sec. 63.501(a)-(b)). Attached ADU: the district side setback, 5 ft in H1/H2, 10 ft in RL (Table 66.231). |
| Front Setback | A detached ADU may not stand in a required front yard, and one that includes a garage must be at least as far from the front lot line as the house (Sec. 63.501(b)). House/attached-ADU front setback: 10 ft H1/H2, 30 ft RL, adjusted toward the neighbours' setbacks under note (d) to Table 66.231. A walkway from the street to the ADU's primary entrance is required (Sec. 65.913(e)). |
| Parking Required | None required. Saint Paul repealed minimum off-street parking requirements citywide by Ord. 21-27 (adopted Aug. 18, 2021); Sec. 63.207 now sets only maximums. Any parking you do build must be on an approved driveway outside the front yard, with access from the alley where one exists (Sec. 63.501(c)). |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required. The owner-occupancy condition was removed by the 2022 ADU amendment (Ord. 22-1) and is absent from Sec. 65.913 as re-adopted in 2023. An ADU cannot be sold separately or put on its own tax parcel (65.913(f)). Combined occupancy of the house plus its ADUs is capped by the 'household' definition: six or fewer adults plus the minors in their care (Sec. 60.209, 65.913(c)). |
| Min Lot Size | None for ADUs. The district lot-area minimum (9,000 sq ft RL, 1,500 sq ft H1, 1,000 sq ft H2 per principal unit) counts only principal units; ADUs are not counted (Sec. 65.913, Table 66.231). The 2022 amendment removed the earlier lot-size minimum for detached ADUs. Lot-width minimums (60 ft RL, 30 ft H1, 25 ft H2) still apply to the lot itself. |
Permit Process & Fees [9][10][11][12]
An ADU permit in Saint Paul goes through a standard permit review. DSI does not publish an ADU review time; zoning and building plan review run through DSI Plan Review (651-266-9007). A separate sewer/water service, or a plumbing alternate request to connect through the house, adds a plumbing plan review. Permit fees: Valuation-based (Sec. 33.04; schedule effective 2/25/2023): $1,499 for the first $100,000 plus $8 per additional $1,000, a plan-check fee of 65% of that, and the 0.05% state surcharge — about $3,200 on a $150,000 ADU and $5,300 on $300,000, before trade permits and any SAC.
| Approval Process | DSI building permit with zoning review and building plan review (by right, no hearing). Submit a certified signed survey, civil plans with utilities, ADU floor plans and elevations, and floor plans of the main house to verify the size cap; apply through DSI's online permit system (the city's PAULIE platform) or at 375 Jackson St., Suite 220. Plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits are separate, and a detached ADU needs its own sewer and water connections unless DSI approves an alternate. |
| Review Timeline | DSI does not publish an ADU review time; zoning and building plan review run through DSI Plan Review (651-266-9007). A separate sewer/water service, or a plumbing alternate request to connect through the house, adds a plumbing plan review. |
| Permit Fees | Valuation-based (Sec. 33.04; schedule effective 2/25/2023): $1,499 for the first $100,000 plus $8 per additional $1,000, a plan-check fee of 65% of that, and the 0.05% state surcharge — about $3,200 on a $150,000 ADU and $5,300 on $300,000, before trade permits and any SAC. |
| Impact Fees | Minnesota cities do not charge development impact fees. The Metropolitan Council Sewer Availability Charge (SAC) may be assessed for a new ADU and is collected by DSI with the building permit; the 2026 SAC rate could not be verified from the Met Council site — confirm the SAC determination with DSI before you budget. |
| Plan Check | 65% of the building permit fee (no plan-check fee on valuations of $1,000 or less); review time not published by DSI. |
| Pre-Approved Plans | None. Saint Paul has no pre-approved ADU plan program; DSI publishes information sheets on ADUs and the building code and on ADU sewer/water connections. |
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Construction Costs [13][14][15]
Building an ADU in Saint Paul typically costs $125,000-$350,000 ($180-$400 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $95,000-$185,000.
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| Average Build Cost | $125,000-$350,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $180-$400 |
| Garage Conversion | $95,000-$185,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $150,000-$350,000 |
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Rental Income Potential [16][17][18]
A 2-bedroom ADU in Saint Paul rents for around $1,540-$1,980/mo, an estimated 5-11% gross rental yield on a $200,000-$350,000 detached ADU renting at $1,400-$1,900/mo (HUD FY2027 range), before taxes, vacancy, insurance and financing; a $95,000-$185,000 garage or basement conversion renting at $1,.
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,270-$1,630/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $1,540-$1,980/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | Yes, with a licence: any stay under 30 days needs a Short-Term Rental Host licence from DSI, paid per unit and renewed yearly; a non-owner-occupied unit also needs a Fire Certificate of Occupancy, and hosts need $300,000. |
| Est. Annual ROI | 5-11% gross rental yield on a $200,000-$350,000 detached ADU renting at $1,400-$1,900/mo (HUD FY2027 range), before taxes, vacancy, insurance and financing; a $95,000-$185,000 garage or basement conversion renting at $1,. |
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Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- 2026-09-20 re-verification: detached-ADU height corrected to a flat 25 ft (Sec. 63.501(d)); allowed districts restated as RL/H1/H2, RM1-RM2, T1-T3, BC and F1 after the 2023 rezoning; setbacks, the 2021 parking repeal and the DSI fee formula added from the code and fee schedule; the unsourced 45-65 day timeline and $400-$800 'impact fee' removed.
- Ord. 23-43 (1-4 Unit Housing Study Phase 2; adopted Oct. 18, 2023, signed Oct. 23, 2023, effective 30 days after publication): two ADUs per one-family dwelling; size cap became the greater of 800 sq ft or 75% of the house; detached ADU height a flat 25 ft; the 1,000 sq ft minimum house size for internal ADUs repealed; R1-R4 districts replaced by H1/H2 allowing 1-6 units.
- Ord. 25-59 (Traditional Neighborhood District study; adopted Nov. 12, 2025, signed Nov. 18, 2025) amended Chapters 60-69 but left Sec. 65.913 and 63.501 unchanged; ADUs remain a permitted use in T1-T3.
- 2022 (Ord. 22-1): owner-occupancy requirement and the lot-size minimum for detached ADUs removed; 2018 (Ord. 18-28): ADUs allowed citywide after a 2016 pilot area.
- Ord. 21-27 (adopted Aug. 18, 2021): minimum off-street parking requirements repealed citywide; Sec. 63.207 now sets maximums only.
- No statewide Minnesota ADU law: the 2026 Starter Home Act bills (HF 3895 / SF 4123) stalled in committee before the session ended in May 2026, so Saint Paul's rules are local.
Tips for Building an ADU in Saint Paul
- Size worked example: a 1,200 sq ft house allows a 900 sq ft ADU (75%), a 1,000 sq ft house allows 800 sq ft (the floor) — the cap is whichever is greater, measured inside the exterior walls, so bring the house's floor plans to DSI.
- Lot-coverage trap: all buildings together may cover at most 45% of an H1 lot (50% H2, 40% RL). On a 40 x 120 ft H1 lot (4,800 sq ft) with a 1,400 sq ft house footprint and a 440 sq ft garage, only about 320 sq ft of new footprint is left — an ADU above a rebuilt garage is often the only detached route.
- Budget for separate sewer and water services to the street for a detached ADU (Minnesota Plumbing Code 311.1). Connecting through the house's lines needs an Alternate Code Compliance request from your master plumber or a licensed engineer, a report on the existing system and a plumbing plan review; approvals are case by case.
- Fee worked example for a $200,000 ADU: $1,499 + $8 x 100 = $2,299 permit fee; plan check 65% = $1,494; state surcharge $100; about $3,900 before plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits and any SAC.
- The 25 ft cap is measured to the midpoint between eaves and ridge on a pitched roof (Sec. 60.203), which is what makes a two-storey garage-top ADU workable; properties in heritage preservation sites or districts go through HPC design review (651-266-9078) instead.
- House plus ADUs together count as one 'household' — six or fewer adults plus their minor children — so four adults in the house leave room for two in the ADU (Sec. 60.209, 65.913(c)).
- Renting the ADU: any stay under 30 days needs the DSI Short-Term Rental Host licence; a building the owner does not live in needs a Fire Certificate of Occupancy before it is rented at all.
- Cost basis: Hanson Remodeling (Minneapolis-St. Paul, July 2025) $125,000-$300,000; DC Structures Minnesota (late 2025) $150,000-$350,000 and $180-$400 per sq ft; Reetz Construction (Twin Cities, June 2026) detached $265,000-$465,000, garage conversion $95,000-$185,000. Rents are HUD FY2027 Small Area FMRs for Saint Paul ZIP codes, effective Oct. 1, 2026.
- Cost basis (2026-09-20 re-verification): short term allowed: Yes, with a licence: any stay under 30 days needs a Short-Term Rental Host licence from DSI, paid per unit and renewed yearly; a non-owner-occupied unit also needs a Fire Certificate of Occupancy, and hosts need $300,000 of liability cover unless they list only on a city-licensed platform (Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway). Any building the owner does not live in needs a Fire Certificate of Occupancy for longer rentals too. | roi estimate: 5-11% gross rental yield on a $200,000-$350,000 detached ADU renting at $1,400-$1,900/mo (HUD FY2027 range), before taxes, vacancy, insurance and financing; a $95,000-$185,000 garage or basement conversion renting at $1,300-$1,600/mo returns 8-20% gross
ADU Builders in Saint Paul
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Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- Accessory Dwelling Units (Sec. 65.913 summary, districts, size, height, setbacks, sewer/water) — City of Saint Paul DSI, last edited March 6, 2024 Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Ordinance 23-43 (1-4 Unit Housing Study Phase 2), adopted Oct. 18, 2023 — amends Sec. 60.301, 63.501, 65.913 and Table 66.231 — City of Saint Paul ordinance — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Ord 23-43 legislative history (introduced Aug. 21, 2023; adopted Oct. 18, 2023; signed by Mayor Oct. 23, 2023) — Saint Paul Legistar web API Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Saint Paul Legislative Code Sec. 65.913, Dwelling unit, accessory — Municode (code host; Cloudflare-walled on 2026-09-20, text verified from Ord. 23-43 and the DSI pages) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Saint Paul Legislative Code Sec. 63.501, Accessory buildings and uses (setbacks, 25 ft height) — Municode Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Detached Garages, Sheds & Residential Accessory Structures handout (reproduces codified Sec. 63.501 and Table 66.231 lot coverage), Jan. 2024 — City of Saint Paul DSI Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Ord 21-27 text, off-street parking requirements (Sec. 63.207 minimums replaced by maximums), adopted Aug. 18, 2021 — Saint Paul Legistar web API ordinance — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Ord 25-59, Traditional Neighborhood (T) District Zoning Study amendments (Ch. 60-69; Sec. 65.913 and 63.501 not amended), adopted Nov. 12, 2025 — Saint Paul Legistar ordinance — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Building Permits & Inspections (ADU submittal list, DSI contacts), last edited Sept. 24, 2025 — City of Saint Paul DSI Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Building Permit Fee Schedule (Sec. 33.04), effective Feb. 25, 2023: $1,499 + $8/$1,000 over $100,000, 65% plan check, state surcharge — City of Saint Paul DSI fee_schedule — Accessed 2026-09-20
- ADUs and Sewer/Water Connections guidance letter (Minnesota Plumbing Code 311.1; alternate request procedure), Feb. 2023 — City of Saint Paul DSI Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Plumbing Application & Inspection Fees (PAULIE permitting platform) — City of Saint Paul DSI Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- How Much Does it Cost to Build an ADU in Minneapolis (Minneapolis and St. Paul, July 14, 2025): $125,000-$300,000; detached $150,000-$250,000+, attached $125,000-$200,000+, above-garage $180,000-$300,000+ — Hanson Remodeling (industry) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Minnesota ADUs (late 2025): $150,000-$350,000 per project, $180-$400 per sq ft — DC Structures (industry) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- ADU & In-Law Suite Rules in the Twin Cities (June 11, 2026): detached 500-800 sq ft $265,000-$465,000, garage conversion $95,000-$185,000, basement $110,000-$220,000 — Reetz Construction (industry; city-templated page) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- FY2027 Fair Market Rents, Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HMFA (effective Oct. 1, 2026): 0BR $1,265, 1BR $1,427, 2BR $1,734, 3BR $2,264 — HUD User Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- FY2027 Small Area FMRs, Saint Paul ZIP codes 55101-55108, 55116, 55117, 55119, 55130: 1BR $1,270-$1,630, 2BR $1,540-$1,980 — HUD User Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Short-Term Rental Host & Platform License (stays under 30 days; per-unit fee; Fire C of O for non-owner-occupied) — City of Saint Paul DSI Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- HF 3895 (2026) Minnesota Starter Home Act, status: referred to committee March 2, 2026, no further action before adjournment — Minnesota Legislature Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- SF 4123 (2026) Starter Home Act companion, status: referred to State and Local Government March 4, 2026, no further action — Minnesota Legislature Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Saint Paul?
Yes. ADUs are allowed in Permitted use wherever there is a one-family dwelling on the lot: RL, H1 and H2 residential districts (the former R1-R4, renamed by Ord. 23-43) and RM1-RM2 multiple-family (Table 66.221), T1-T3 traditional neighborhood (Table 66.321), BC community business (converted) (66.421) and F1 Ford (66.921). An ADU is allowed only with an associated one-family dwelling on the same zoning lot (Sec. 65.913). in Saint Paul. The maximum size for a detached ADU is 800 sq ft or 75% of the floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater (Sec. 65.913(d)). Floor area is measured from the interior faces of the exterior walls (Sec. 60.207); DSI asks for the main house's floor plans with the permit to check the 75%. All buildings together must also stay under the district lot-coverage cap: 40% RL, 45% H1, 50% H2 (Table 66.231).. Owner-occupancy is not required, so you can rent out the ADU.
How much does an ADU cost in Saint Paul?
ADU construction in Saint Paul typically costs $125,000-$350,000. Garage conversions run $95,000-$185,000, and prefab ADUs cost $150,000-$350,000.
How much can I rent an ADU for in Saint Paul?
Average ADU rents in Saint Paul are $1,270-$1,630/mo for a 1-bedroom and $1,540-$1,980/mo for a 2-bedroom unit.
Do I need parking for an ADU in Saint Paul?
None required. Saint Paul repealed minimum off-street parking requirements citywide by Ord. 21-27 (adopted Aug. 18, 2021); Sec. 63.207 now sets only maximums. Any parking you do build must be on an approved driveway outside the front yard, with access from the alley where one exists (Sec. 63.501(c)).. Check with Saint Paul planning department for the latest Minnesota ADU parking rules, as many states have relaxed requirements in recent years.
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Saint Paul?
Saint Paul does not publish a standard ADU review timeline. zoning and building plan review run through DSI Plan Review (651-266-9007). A separate sewer/water service, or a plumbing alternate request to connect through the house, adds a plumbing plan review. Permit fees: Valuation-based (Sec. 33.04; schedule effective 2/25/2023): $1,499 for the first $100,000 plus $8 per additional $1,000, a plan-check fee of 65% of that, and the 0.05% state surcharge — about $3,200 on a $150,000 ADU and $5,300 on $300,000, before trade permits and any SAC.
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