

The Upsala Planning and Zoning Commission is a 6-member board 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 5:30 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

Mike Kremers
Planning and Zoning

Mark Gilles
Planning and Zoning

Scott Taylor
Planning and Zoning

Rollie Johnson
Planning and Zoning

Alan Gunderson
Planning and Zoning

Jeremy Bursken
Planning and Zoning
What requires a Land Use Permit?
Most building projects require an Application for Land Use Permit (document linked below). Permits must be submitted to the city office and approved prior to beginning the work.
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NEW RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE
All construction represents actual footprint of structure plus attached garage, deck, porch of other usable area being constructed.
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0 to 1,500 square feet - $200
- Over 1,501 square feet - $300
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NEW COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE
All construction based on actual square footage of structure.
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0 to 1,500 square feet - $400
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Over 1,501 square feet - $500
EXISTING RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL EXPANSIONS
This includes decks, porches, existing structure expansion, additions, etc.
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0 to 200 square feet - $50
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201-600 square feet - $75
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601-800 square feet - $100
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Over 801 square feet - $125
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ACCESSORY STRUCTURE(S)
This includes sheds, garages, existing accessory structure expansion, etc.
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0 to 200 square feet - $50
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201-600 square feet - $75
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601-800 square feet - $100
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Over 801 square feet - $125
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MISCELLANEOUS
This includes sheds, garages, existing accessory structure expansion, etc.
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Variance - $275
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Conditions Use Permit/Interim Use Permit - $275
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Rezone - $275
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Fence - $30
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Boundary Line Adjustment - $100
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Minor Line Adjustment - $100
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Subdivision (lot split(s) resulting in three or less new parcels with certificate of survey) - $100
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Subdivision/Plat - $500
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Permit after the fact - twice the original permit cost
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ZONING REVIEW
If costs of zoning review exceeds original application fee, review will be completed at the above rates, per hour, minimum one hour charge.
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Construction and Land Use Permit Review - $60 per hour, minimum one hour charge
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Extra site visit/inspection - $60 per hour, minimum one hour charge​
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THE FOLLOWING DOES NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT
When you are in doubt, call the City office at 573-4950
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Building demolition
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Siding
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Shingles
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Driveways
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Interior remodeling
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Electrical, plumbing, heating or cooling systems
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Window replacement
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 (AG)
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Buildable lot area 5-acre minimum
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1 Lot width - feet, minimum: 150
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Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 35
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Setback, right-a-way, county or state highway - feet, minimum: 50
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Setback, side and rear - feet, minimum: 1
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Maximum impervious coverage: 15%
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Building height - feet: 50
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Maximum principal structure density: 1 unit/5-acre
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Maximum animal unit per acre - please see - Upsala Ordinance #61
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Animal unit requirement may be extended to included one slaughter weight steer or heifer, or one mature dairy cow or horse per one acre
Single Family Residential (R1)
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Buildable lot area - square foot minimum: 10,000 (single-family), 15,000 (two-family)
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Lot width, feet, minimum: 75
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Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, right-of-way, county and state highway - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, side and rear - feet, minimum: 5
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Setback, sign - feet, minimum: 1
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Maximum impervious coverage: 30%
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Building height - feet: 30
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Maximum density: 1 unit up to 10,000 square feet , 1 additional unit each additional 5,000 sq. ft
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Maximum animal unit per acre: 0.25
Multi Family Residential (R2)
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Buildable lot area - square feet, minimum 7,500
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Lot width, feet, minimum: 50
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Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, right-of-way, county and state highway - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, side and rear - feet, minimum: 10
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Setback, corner side - feet, minimum: 20
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Setback, sign - feet, minimum: 1
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Maximum impervious coverage: 50%
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Building height - feet: 30
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Maximum density: 12 unit /7,500 square feet
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Maximum animal unit per acre: 0.1
Commercial (COM)
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Lot width, feet, minimum: 75
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Buildable lot area - square feet, minimum 10,000
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Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, right-of-way, county and state highway - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, side and rear - feet, minimum: none
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Setback, sign - feet, minimum: 1
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Maximum impervious coverage: 75%
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Building height - feet: 30
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Maximum density: 1 unit/10,000 square feet
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Maximum animal unit per acre: 0.1
Industrial (ID)
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Lot Width, feet, minimum: 100
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Buildable lot area - square feet, minimum 20,000
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Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, right-of-way, county and state highway - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, side and rear - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, sign - feet, minimum: 1
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Maximum impervious coverage: 50%
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Building height, feet: 30
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Storm water may be increased by 25% through a conditional use permit if the following is provided: a storm water retention plan is showing containment of the 5-year, 24-hour rain even on the parcel. Direct runoff of storm water to adjacent water bodies, including wetlands and adjacent parcels, shall be eliminated through the use of berms or other permanent means.
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Maximum animal unit per acre - please see - Upsala Ordinance #61
Shoreland Overlay District (SD)
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All land located within the shoreland as defined by this ordinance shall be regulated by the controls contained the City of Upsala Shoreland Management ordinance.
Public District (PD)
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Lot Width, feet, minimum: 50
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Buildable lot area - square feet, minimum 10,000
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Setback, right-of-way, local streets - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, right-of-way, collector, and arterial streets- feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, side and rear - feet, minimum: 20
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Setback, corner side - feet, minimum: 30
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Setback, sign - feet, minimum: 1
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Maximum impervious coverage: 75%