Edina legalized ADUs by right in its R-1 district in April 2024 (Ordinance 2024-02), with a 1,000 sq ft size cap and an unusual rule limiting rentals to just one unit on the property at a time.
| ADU type | Max size | Max height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | 1,000 sq ft total floor area, combined with all other accessory buildings on the lot (attached garages excluded). A full basement conversion may exceed this cap. | Up to 1.5 story / 18 ft, or up to 2 story / 25 ft | Height tier determines setbacks - see caption below and the additional standards table |
| Attached / internal | Same 1,000 sq ft combined cap applies (exception for full basement conversions) | Follows the principal structure's own existing height limit | Uses the primary home's existing setbacks rather than the detached-ADU tiers |
Allowed zoning district: R-1 only. ADUs were legalized citywide in this district by Ordinance 2024-02, adopted April 2024. Confirm your parcel's zoning district with the Planning Division.
| Setbacks (detached) | ≤1.5 story / 18 ft height: 5 ft interior side, 15 ft corner side, 5 ft rear. Up to 2 story / 25 ft height: interior side setback matches the principal structure's own requirement, 15 ft corner side, 12 ft rear (5 ft if abutting an alley). |
| Setbacks (attached / internal) | Follows the principal structure's own existing setback and height requirements rather than the detached-ADU tiers above. |
| Waterbody setback | 50 ft standard, increased to 75 ft for lots on Indianhead, Arrowhead, Mirror, and Cornelia lakes. Only relevant to lakeshore parcels. |
| Parking | No additional off-street parking spaces required; existing on-site parking must be hard-surfaced. |
| Only one unit may be rented at a time | Edina does not impose a traditional owner-occupancy mandate, but only one of the main house or the ADU may be rented out at any given time - never both simultaneously. A rental license is required for whichever unit is rented. Short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO-style) are banned entirely. |
| Units per lot | 1 ADU permitted; cannot be subdivided or sold separately from the principal residence. |
| Building code | Must meet 2020 Minnesota Residential Code dwelling unit standards |
| Rental license | Required for whichever unit (main house or ADU) is rented, per the one-at-a-time rule above |
Verify your lot is zoned R-1, the only district where ADUs are currently allowed.
Apply online through the city's ePermits system, including the required ADU checklist.
General residential plan review runs 5-10 business days per city guidance.
Apply for a rental license for whichever unit you rent out - remember only one unit may be rented at a time.
No specific ADU permit fee amount was published in a single schedule at time of writing - use the city's online fee-estimator tool or contact Building Inspections at 952-826-0372 for current figures.