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Planning & Zoning Committee at the City of Upsala

The Upsala Planning and Zoning Commission is a 6-member board (currently four, if are interested in joining, please contact city hall) with the following responsibilities: reviews applications for land use, conditional use permits, variances, and plans for projects within the community. It is also their duty to review zoning ordinances and issues.

 

The Planning and Zoning Commission meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Upsala City Hall, 320 Walnut Avenue, Upsala, MN 

 

PERMITS:

The City of Upsala follows the State Building Code. All building permits are issued by the City Clerk after approval of the Planning and Zoning Committee. Building permits as well as permit requests for variances, conditional uses or zoning amendments may be obtained at City Hall.

Meet the Planning and Zoning Team

What requires a Land Use Permit?

Most building and exterior remodeling projects require an Application for Land Use Permit (document linked below). Permits must be submitted to the city office and approved by the Planning Commission and City Council prior to beginning the work. The Planning Commission meets the Wednesday before the City Council meeting, with the City Council giving final approval on the second Monday of every month.

 

The following require a land use permit, $125 fee, and approval by the Planning Commission and Council:

  • New house

  • New shed, garage or other building over 120 square feet

  • Building addition

  • Moving a building

  • Deck or patio over 100 square feet

  • In-ground pool

  • Industrial structure

  • Athletic field

 

The following require a land use permit, $35 fee, and approval by the Planning Commission and Council:

  • Fences

  • New driveway

  • Outdoor wood stove/boiler or Fireplace

  • Handicap ramp

 

The following require a land use permit, $35 fee, and can be approved immediately by the city clerk:

  • Building demolition

  • Siding

  • Shingles

  • Signs

  • Retaining walls over 3 feet

  • Deck or patio less than 100 square feet

 

The following DO NOT require a permit from the city:

  • Interior remodeling

  • Electrical, plumbing, heating or cooling systems

  • Window replacement

 

The City Council grants final authority for land use permits. Permits for more than one project on same site may be combined. Permits are valid for one year from date of approval. Failure to obtain a permit before construction may result in a penalty. You may pick up a permit or download by clicking the button on the right and dropped off at City Hall or put in the bill drop slot.

 

The Upsala Zoning Ordinance is available in paper form at the Upsala City office and below.

Zoning Ordinances

Agricultural Zone

  • Buildable lot area 1 acre minimum

  • 1 Lot width - feet, minimum: 150

  • Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 50

  • Setback, side - feet, minimum: 30 Setback, corner side - feet, minimum: 30

  • Setback, sign - feet, minimum: 1

  • Maximum impervious coverage: 15%

  • Building height - feet: 30

  • Accessory structure size - square feet, max, cumulative: 1,200 for first 1 acre , 1,200 for each additional 1 acre

  • Maximum principal structure density: 1 unit/1 acre

  • Maximum animal unit per acre: 0.25

Single Family Residential (R1)

  • Buildable lot area - minimum: 10,000 (single-family), 15,000 (two-family)

  • Lot width, feet, minimum: 75

  • Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 30

  • Setback, right-of-way, collector and arterial streets - feet, minimum: 30

  • Setback, side - feet, minimum: 5

  • Setback, corner side - feet, minimum: 15

  • Setback, sign - feet, minimum: 1

  • Maximum impervious coverage: 30%

  • Building height - feet: 30

  • Accessory structure size - square feet, max, cumulative: 1,200 for first 10,000 sq. ft,  400 for each additional 10,000 sq. ft

  • Maximum density: 1 unit up to 10,000 square feet , 1 additional unit each additional 5,000 sq. ft

  • Maximum animal unit per acre: 0.25

Multi Family Residential (R2)

  • Buildable lot area - square feet, minimum 15,000 total area, 2,000 per unit

  • Lot width, feet, minimum: 100

  • Lot depth, feet minimum: 150

  • Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 30

  • Setback, right-of-way, collector and arterial streets - feet, minimum: 30

  • Setback, side - feet, minimum: 20

  • Setback, corner side - feet, minimum: 20

  • Setback, sign - feet, minimum: 1

  • Maximum impervious coverage: 50%

  • Building height - feet: 30

  • Maximum density: 2 unit up to 15,000 Square Feet

  • Maximum animal unit per acre: 0.1

Commercial

  • Lot width, feet, minimum: 75

  • Buildable lot area - Square feet, minimum 10,000 total area

  • Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 30

  • Setback, right-of-way, collector and arterial streets - feet, minimum: 30

  • Setback, side - feet, minimum: None

  • Setback, corner side - feet, minimum: None

  • Setback, sign - feet, minimum: 1

  • Maximum impervious coverage: 75%

  • Building height - feet: 30

  • Maximum density: 1 unit/10,000 Square Feet

  • Maximum animal unit per acre: 0.1

Industrial

  • Lot Width, feet, minimum: 75

  • Buildable Lot Area - Square feet, minimum 10,000 total area

  • Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 30

  • Setback, right-of-way, collector and arterial streets - feet, minimum: 30

  • Setback, side - feet, minimum: 5

  • Setback, corner side - feet, minimum: 15

  • Setback, sign - feet, minimum: 1

  • Maximum impervious coverage: 75%

  • Building Height - feet: 30

  • Maximum Density: 1 unit/10,000 Square Feet

  • Maximum animal unit per acre: 0.1

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