Shed Permit in Saint Paul, Minnesota
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before building a detached tool or garden shed larger than 200 square feet, and before building a shed of any size on a property in a heritage preservation district or on a designated historic site.
Issued byCity of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
DSI exempts a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use from a building permit as long as the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. Above 200 square feet it is a general building permit and the same track as a detached garage. The exemption is only from the building permit: an exempt shed still has to meet the zoning rules in Sec. 63.501, which set it back at least three feet from interior lot lines and at least one foot from an alley right of way, cap accessory building height at 15 feet for a flat or shed roof and 18 feet for other roof styles in RL through RM2 districts, and allow a maximum of three non-dwelling accessory buildings totaling no more than 1,200 square feet on a lot. Any accessory structure in a heritage preservation district or on a designated historic site requires Heritage Preservation Commission approval regardless of size.
Typical threshold: floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before building a detached tool or garden shed larger than 200 square feet, and before building a shed of any size on a property in a heritage preservation district or on a designated historic site.
What a shed permit costs in Saint Paul
How Saint Paul compares in Minnesota
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Minnesota
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Saint Paul's 200 sq ft.
- Austin, Texas, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds with floor area no greater than 200 sq ft and no more than 15 ft in height and no plumbing and not in a floodplain are exempt
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, floor area of a detached accessory structure
- Bellevue, Washington, detached storage sheds playhouses or gazebos with a floor area of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit; structures over 200 square feet require a permit
- Boise, Idaho, floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure
How to apply in Saint Paul
In Saint Paul, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.
What most shed permit applications include:
- For Saint Paul, a written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
- For Saint Paul, a scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
- Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
- Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).
General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) sets the exact checklist for Saint Paul.
Where to apply in Saint Paul:
City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)
- Department of Safety and Inspections, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 220, Saint Paul, MN 55101-1806
- Phone: 651-266-8989
- Email: DSI-BuildingPlanReview@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Shed Permit in Saint Paul compared with nearby Minnesota localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Minnesota schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul | It depends | floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use | ...33.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, Effective: 2/25/2023): "Up to $2,000.00... | |
| Minneapolis | It depends | one-story tool and storage sheds under 200 sq ft are exempt from a permit; sheds 200 sq ft or larger or more than one story require a permit | One-story sheds under 200 sq ft need no permit or fee |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Saint Paul, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
- Foundation or anchor inspection in Saint Paul: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
- Frame inspection in Saint Paul: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
- Final inspection in Saint Paul: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
- In Saint Paul: for a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Saint Paul permit portal or by phone at 651-266-8989.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Shed Permit checklist for Saint Paul
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use. Usually needed: Before building a detached tool or garden shed larger than 200 square feet, and before building a shed of any size on a property in a heritage preservation district or on a designated historic site.
- Budget the fee. A shed over 200 square feet is a general building permit priced from the valuation table in Sec. 33.04(a) of the Legislative Code, reproduced in DSI's Building Permit Fee Schedule (Section 33.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, Effective: 2/25/2023): "Up to $2,000.00 ..... $36.00 for the first $500.00 plus $5.00 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof" and "$2,001.00 to $25,000.00 ..... $106.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $21.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof". A plan review fee of 65 percent of the permit fee applies to any valuation over $1,000. The Minnesota state surcharge under Minn. Stat. 326B.148 is $0.50 for jobs valued $1.00 to $1,000 and 0.0005 times job value above that. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Saint Paul, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the Saint Paul permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). Phone: 651-266-8989. Address: Department of Safety and Inspections, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 220, Saint Paul, MN 55101-1806.
- Plan for inspections. In Saint Paul, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Saint Paul?
- DSI exempts a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use from a building permit as long as the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. Above 200 square feet it is a general building permit and the same track as a detached garage. The exemption is only from the building permit: an exempt shed still has to meet the zoning rules in Sec. 63.501, which set it back at least three feet from interior lot lines and at least one foot from an alley right of way, cap accessory building height at 15 feet for a flat or shed roof and 18 feet for other roof styles in RL through RM2 districts, and allow a maximum of three non-dwelling accessory buildings totaling no more than 1,200 square feet on a lot. Any accessory structure in a heritage preservation district or on a designated historic site requires Heritage Preservation Commission approval regardless of size. Floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Saint Paul?
- A shed over 200 square feet is a general building permit priced from the valuation table in Sec. 33.04(a) of the Legislative Code, reproduced in DSI's Building Permit Fee Schedule (Section 33.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, Effective: 2/25/2023): "Up to $2,000.00 ..... $36.00 for the first $500.00 plus $5.00 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof" and "$2,001.00 to $25,000.00 ..... $106.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $21.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof". A plan review fee of 65 percent of the permit fee applies to any valuation over $1,000. The Minnesota state surcharge under Minn. Stat. 326B.148 is $0.50 for jobs valued $1.00 to $1,000 and 0.0005 times job value above that. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Saint Paul?
- You can apply through the Saint Paul permit portal or contact the City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Saint Paul?
- Under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. 326B.805, subd. 6, clause (3)): Minnesota requires a license to work as a residential building contractor, remodeler, or roofer, but it exempts an owner who builds or improves their own residential real estate if the owner occupies it, or will occupy it, for residential purposes, or keeps it as a rental once the work is done. That exemption lets a homeowner act as their own contractor and pull permits without holding a contractor's license. The exemption does not apply to an owner building or improving property for resale or speculation, and the law presumes speculation if the owner builds or improves more than one property within any 24-month period, unless each property is retained for rental. This is a licensing exemption only; it does not remove the separate requirement to obtain a building permit for the work itself. Confirm how Saint Paul applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Saint Paul
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | height of a deck or platform above grade, where it is also not attached to a structure with frost footings and does not act as a landing outside an exterior door | ...(Section 33.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, Effective: 2/25/2023): $36.00... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Any size | Sec. 33.04(g)(4) sets a minimum permit fee of $85.00 for one-family dwelling electrical... |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...33.04(g)(17), line item "Fences permit/plan review": "Forty-five dollars ($45.00)... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...Inspections and Fees page: "For each warm air heating system, the permit fee is $85... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Before roofing, enclosing or building over a patio, before any patio work in a heritage... | ...a general building permit priced from the valuation table in Sec. 33.04(a) ($36.00... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...Fees page (last edited March 3, 2026) and Sec. 33.04(g)(7): initial permit fee $92... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | water capacity of an in-ground or above ground swimming pool; the prefabricated pool exemption additionally requires the pool to be no more than 24 inches deep and installed entirely above ground | The pool building permit is priced from the valuation table in Sec. 33.04(a), published... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Any size | A reroof is a general building permit priced on valuation under Sec. 33.04(a), published... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | Electrical, Sec. 33.04(g)(4)k "Renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.)": $151.00 for 0 to... |
Shed Permit in other Minnesota localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Saint Paul documents; the office above sets the local rules.
- IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC
- IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC
How this shed permit page for Saint Paul was verified. 2 official sources: stpaul.gov, stpaul.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Shed Permit requirements across Minnesota localities