Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are an increasingly popular way to add extra living space to properties, providing homeowners with flexibility and the potential for rental income. In Minneapolis, building an ADU involves a structured permitting process that ensures the project complies with local zoning laws, building codes, and other regulations. If you’re considering an ADU for your property, it’s essential to understand the steps involved in securing the necessary permits. This guide outlines the key stages of the ADU permitting process in Minneapolis to help you navigate the requirements.
Step 1: Pre-Application Meeting
Before you dive into the permitting process, the first step is to schedule a pre-application meeting with city staff. This consultation is essential for understanding whether an ADU is permitted on your property and to clarify the application requirements. During the meeting, city staff will assess your property to ensure it meets zoning criteria, such as lot size and setbacks, and help you understand the specific requirements for your ADU project.
The pre-application meeting is also an excellent time to ask questions and gain clarity on any concerns you might have about the process. City staff can provide guidance on topics like size limitations, parking requirements, and utility connections, giving you a clear picture of what’s needed before you move forward with your project.
Step 2: Prepare Construction Drawings
Once you’ve confirmed that your property is eligible for an ADU, the next step is to prepare construction drawings. These plans should be detailed and include all aspects of the design, such as the layout, dimensions, and materials. Working with a qualified designer or contractor is highly recommended to ensure that the plans comply with the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code, which sets the standards for building safety, structure, and accessibility.
Your construction drawings should also reflect any zoning requirements for the ADU, including setbacks from property lines, height restrictions, and overall size limitations. A well-prepared set of drawings will make the application process smoother and faster, minimizing the likelihood of delays during the review stages.
Step 3: Submit Application
With your construction drawings in hand, it’s time to submit your application for a building permit. The application will include your construction drawings, a completed permit application form, and payment of the required fees. These fees typically cover the cost of processing and reviewing your application and may vary depending on the scope of the project.
Make sure your application is complete and accurate to avoid delays. Incomplete applications can be rejected, causing you to lose time and potentially incur additional costs. The city will not begin its review process until the application is fully submitted, so ensure that all required documents are included.
Step 4: Application Review
Once your application is submitted, the city has 15 days to review it for completeness. This means that the city will assess whether your application includes all the necessary documentation, such as your construction drawings, zoning compliance information, and payment receipts. If any information is missing or incorrect, you will be notified and given 30 days to submit the required corrections or missing documents.
During this review period, city staff will ensure that your proposed ADU meets all the basic requirements outlined in the city’s zoning ordinances and the Minnesota Residential Code. If everything is in order, your application will proceed to the next phase. If there are discrepancies or incomplete information, the city will return the application for revisions before further review can occur.
Step 5: Plan Review
After your application is deemed complete, it will move on to the plan review stage. In this phase, the Minneapolis Development Review team thoroughly examines the construction drawings to ensure compliance with local building codes and zoning regulations. The team will check that your design adheres to important criteria, such as:
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Zoning Ordinances: Compliance with the maximum ADU size, height restrictions, setbacks, and parking requirements.
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Building Codes: Ensuring that the ADU meets the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code for safety, structural integrity, and accessibility.
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Utility Connections: Confirming that the ADU will be properly connected to essential utilities, such as water, sewer, and electricity.
This review process ensures that your ADU will be built to meet all necessary safety standards and local requirements. The development review team may suggest changes or adjustments to the plans to address any compliance issues.
Step 6: Revisions
It’s common for the city to request revisions to your construction drawings. If any part of your design doesn’t fully comply with local zoning or building codes, the city will ask you to make adjustments. This is an iterative process, meaning you may need to submit updated plans several times before they are fully approved.
Revisions may involve changes to the structure, such as reducing the height of the ADU, adjusting the layout to meet setback requirements, or altering the materials used. While this step can add time to the process, it’s essential to ensure that your ADU complies with all regulations before moving forward.
Step 7: Approval
Once the city has reviewed your construction drawings and all necessary revisions have been made, the plans will be approved. At this point, you can apply for any additional permits required for the project, such as electrical or plumbing permits. These additional permits may be necessary depending on the scope of your ADU and the type of work being done.
With approval in hand, you’re ready to begin the next phase of your project: construction. However, before you start building, make sure you have all the necessary permits in place to avoid any legal complications during the construction process.
Step 8: Construction and Inspections
After receiving all required permits, you can begin construction of your ADU. The construction process must adhere to the approved plans, and you will need to schedule multiple inspections throughout the build. These inspections are designed to ensure that the work is progressing according to code and that safety standards are being met.
Common inspections during the construction of an ADU include:
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Foundation Inspection: To ensure the foundation is properly constructed.
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Framing Inspection: To check that the structure’s frame is solid and compliant with building codes.
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Plumbing and Electrical Inspections: To verify that the utility systems are installed correctly and safely.
Inspections help identify any issues early in the construction process, so they can be corrected before the project moves forward. Make sure to pass each inspection before continuing with the next phase of construction.
Step 9: Final Approval
Once construction is completed and all inspections have been successfully passed, you will receive final approval for your ADU. The city will issue a certificate of occupancy, which verifies that the ADU is safe to occupy and compliant with all building codes and regulations.
The certificate of occupancy is an essential document that signals the completion of the project and allows you to use the ADU as intended—whether as a rental unit, guest suite, or additional living space.
Additional Considerations
While the above steps outline the general process, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind. Recent proposals have been introduced to allow both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied ADUs in Minneapolis. If these changes are implemented, it could provide more flexibility for homeowners looking to rent out their ADUs.
Additionally, many ADU projects may involve recording an owner-occupancy covenant, which legally requires the property owner to live on-site for a certain period after the ADU is built. It’s important to stay up to date on any new proposals that may impact your project.
Conclusion
Building an ADU in Minneapolis is an exciting opportunity to expand your living space, create rental income, or offer additional housing options. By following the outlined permitting process, you can ensure your project complies with local regulations and is completed successfully. Stay organized, maintain communication with city staff, and always be prepared for the possibility of revisions to your plans. With careful planning and attention to detail, you’ll be on your way to adding a valuable new space to your property.
