St. Louis Park has allowed ADUs by right since November 2020, reviewed through a standard building permit rather than a conditional use permit. The city's full zoning code was recodified in March 2025 under Ordinance 2692-25.
| ADU type | Max size | Max height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | Minimum 200 sq ft is confirmed. The maximum size could not be reliably confirmed - available sources conflicted (one figure applied to ADUs, another may describe general accessory buildings rather than ADUs specifically). Confirm the current maximum directly with the city. | 15 ft, with unspecified exceptions noted by the city but not detailed in available sources | - |
| Attached / internal | No more than 40% of the gross floor area of the principal building | Not separately specified - follows the principal structure | This 40% figure is corroborated across two independent sources |
Allowed zoning districts were not explicitly confirmed in available sources; ADUs are generally described as allowed on single-family residential lots. Confirm your parcel's zoning district with Planning & Zoning.
| Setbacks | Side (interior lot line): 5 ft. Rear: 15 ft, reduced to 5 ft if the lot abuts an alley. Front setback was not found in available sources. |
| Parking | No additional off-street parking is required for an ADU in general. Exception: a garage cannot be converted into an ADU unless the home's own required parking can still be accommodated (in a structure, or behind the front face of the house). |
| Owner-occupancy | Likely required based on the city's own ADU FAQ, which frames "Do I own and live on the property where I would like to construct an ADU?" as a threshold eligibility question - though no explicit code citation was found. Verify directly with the city. |
| Units per lot | Not explicitly confirmed in available sources; presumed 1, consistent with every other Twin Cities city researched. |
| Building code | Must meet 2020 Minnesota Residential Code dwelling unit standards |
| Rental license | Required if the ADU is rented. A building permit, plus possibly electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits, is also required. |
Includes confirming you own and live on the property - see the owner-occupancy note above.
Apply through the standard permitting process; electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits may also be required.
Reviewed by Planning & Zoning for compliance with the recodified zoning code (Ordinance 2692-25, adopted March 2025).
Apply for a rental license before placing tenants in the ADU.
Permit fees and review timelines weren't published in a single ADU-specific schedule at time of writing - confirm current figures with St. Louis Park Planning & Zoning at 952-924-2575.