Community development is the process of making a community a better place to live, work, and grow. This can involve improving things like housing, roads, and public services.  Community Development often involves collaboration between residents, local government, businesses, and other groups to create strategies that support long-term development and improve the overall well-being of the community.

According to Minnesota law, all electrical work must be carried out by licensed electrical contractors and their employees. However, under certain conditions, homeowners may perform electrical work on their own home. Such work must be performed by the owner, the dwelling cannot contain more than two units, and all work must be inspected to ensure compliance with relevant codes. For more information, view the Electrical for Homeowners Handout.

Note: A building permit does not include trades work.  Trades work, such as electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work, require separate permits. 

To determine whether a permit is required for your project, please refer to our Permit Requirements Guide. For details on the permit process, visit the Permits webpage. If you're unsure whether your project requires a permit, please contact our department before starting any work at buildingsafety@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours.

Even if a building permit is not required, a zoning certificate may still be necessary to ensure that the property or land use is in compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. A zoning certificate is essential for property sales, leases, and development.  For more details, visit the Planning Applications webpage or contact our department at communitydevelopment@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours.

If the retaining wall is less than 4 feet in height, no permit is required.  

For details on the permit process, visit the Permits webpage. If you're unsure whether your project requires a permit, please contact our department before starting any work at buildingsafety@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours.

Even if a building permit is not required, a zoning certificate may still be necessary to ensure that the property or land use is in compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. A zoning certificate is essential for property sales, leases, and development.  For more details, visit the Planning Applications webpage or contact our department at communitydevelopment@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours

Above ground swimming pools with a capacity of less than 5,000 gallons do not require a permit. This includes most pools less than 16 feet in diameter. 

For details on the permit process, visit the Permits webpage. If you're unsure whether your project requires a permit, please contact our department before starting any work at buildingsafety@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours.

Even if a building permit is not required, a zoning certificate may still be necessary to ensure that the property or land use is in compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. A zoning certificate is essential for property sales, leases, and development.  For more details, visit the Planning Applications webpage or contact our department at communitydevelopment@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours.

Fences that are 6 feet or less do not require a building permit as long as it does not interfere with the line of sight for vehicles. Fences may be built up to the property line, but not over the property line. Fences cannot be built in a drainage easement. Please contact the Community Development's Planning & Zoning Division at 507-328-2600 if you are planning to build a fence or wall in a front yard, or along a road, driveway, sidewalk, or an alley. For more information on fence permitting, please view the Fences, Walls, and Hedges guide.

Visit the Permits webpage for more details on the permit process, including fees, inspections, and how to apply.

Detached garages and sheds must meet both building codes and zoning requirements for setbacks, height, square footage, etc.  Sheds under 200 square feet do not require building permits but do require zoning certificates.  Any garages or sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit. For more information on the permit process for garages, please view the Homeowner's Guide to Garages (detached).  If you're unsure whether your project requires a permit or have questions about building code requirements, please contact our department before starting any work at buildingsafety@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours.  

Even if a building permit is not required, a zoning certificate may still be necessary to ensure that the property or land use is in compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. A zoning certificate is essential for property sales, leases, and development.  Please contact our department at communitydevelopment@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours with a sketch or a site plan outlining the proposed location of the garage or shed to discuss the zoning requirements with a planner.  For more details on zoning certificates, visit the Planning Applications webpage.

Yes - we will verify that the new portions of the deck meet current codes. Please refer to the Decks Handout for additional information. 

For details on the permit process, visit the Permits webpage. If you're unsure whether your project requires a permit, please contact our department before starting any work at buildingsafety@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours.

No, a building permit does not include trades work.  Trades work, such as wiring/electrical, heating/mechanical, and plumbing work, require separate permits. 

Visit the Permits webpage for more details on the permit process, including how to apply, fees, and inspections.

Congratulations! Rochester is filled with rich history, much of which is characterized by our beautiful buildings. For information and resources on historic preservation, please visit our Heritage Preservation webpage.

If you are trying to research a historic property, please visit the Olmsted County History Center website at www.olmstedhistory.com.

Initial inspections for new rental properties are typically scheduled during the application process for a new Rental Housing Certificate.  After the initial inspection, the rental property requires routine inspections.  The frequency of the routine inspections is determined according to a property incentive system.  The system scores properties based on the number of violations found during  inspection, and results in an inspection cycle of either every three years, every two years, or every year.  Routine Inspections may be scheduled upon payment of fees, and in advance of your Certificate's expiration date.  Request an inspection by submitting an Inspection Request form or calling (507)328-2600 during office hours.

Note: only the property owner or manager may escort the Housing Inspector through the rental property.

To obtain a Rental Property Certificate, submit an Rental Property Application.  After an application has been received:

• The application is reviewed and zoning requirements are verified by city teammates, who will notify the applicant when they can proceed with scheduling an inspection.
• The applicant must schedule an on-site inspection with Community Development's Housing Inspection team, which will verify compliance with the Housing Code.
  • If deficiencies are found during the inspection, the violations must be corrected.  When corrections are completed, a re-inspection is conducted to verify compliance.  

As a part of the initial application process, all landlords or their property managers must complete either a Landlord Public Safety Seminar or Phase I of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Programs.  Once this requirement is fulfilled and submitted to the Community Development Department, this portion of the certification process is valid for life (requiring renewal fees and inspections to remain active) and covers all present and future rentals. 

Once the Rental Property Application has been completed, the inspection has been approved, and the Landlord requirements are met, a Rental Property Certificate is issued for the property. 

According to Chapter 7-5-1 of the Rochester Code of Ordinances, it is mandatory for anyone who rents out a dwelling to obtain a Rental Property Certificate or Rental Housing Certificate. A dwelling is considered rental when someone other than the owner, or their relatives, occupies the dwelling whether money is exchanged or not. This includes single family homes when the owner does not occupy the home, but does not include hotels, motels, rooming houses, nursing homes, and hospitals which are licensed by other agencies. Renting without a certificate is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1000 fine, 90 days in jail, or both.

To ensure compliance with the Housing Code, the rental property requires routine inspections. The frequency of the routine inspections is determined according to a property incentive system.  The system scores properties based on the number of violations found during  inspection, and results in an inspection cycle of either every three years, every two years, or every year.  

Note: Rental certificates must be transferred within 30 days of a property being sold.

First adopted in 1967, City Council developed Rochester's Housing Code to protect individual and community health, safety, and well-being.  Every dwelling in Rochester, including owner-occupied and rental properties, must comply with the minimum standards and maintenance set forth in the Code.  The Code is administered and enforced by Community Development's Building Safety Division, and addresses the following areas: structural integrity, fire safety, overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and site conditions.

Below are direct links to the Housing Code in the Rochester Code of Ordinances:

• Chapter 7-1  Definitions

• Chapter 7-2  Preface

• Chapter 7-3  Administration and Enforcement

• Chapter 7-4  General Requirements

• Chapter 7-5  Light, Ventilation and Occupancy Limitations

• Chapter 7-6  Plumbing Facilities and Fixture Requirements

• Chapter 7-7  Mechanical and Electrical Requirements

• Chapter 7-8  Fire Safety Requirements

• Chapter 7-9  Rental Unit Registration

• Chapter 7-10  Short Term Rental Housing Platforms

If the retaining wall is less than 4 feet in height, no permit is required.  

For details on the permit process, visit the Permits webpage. If you're unsure whether your project requires a permit, please contact our department before starting any work at buildingsafety@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours.

Even if a building permit is not required, a zoning certificate may still be necessary to ensure that the property or land use is in compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. A zoning certificate is essential for property sales, leases, and development.  For more details, visit the Planning Applications webpage or contact our department at communitydevelopment@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours.

Fences that are 6 feet or less do not require a building permit as long as it does not interfere with the line of sight for vehicles. Fences may be built up to the property line, but not over the property line. Fences cannot be built in a drainage easement. Please contact the Community Development's Planning & Zoning Division at 507-328-2600 if you are planning to build a fence or wall in a front yard, or along a road, driveway, sidewalk, or an alley. For more information on fence permitting, please view the Fences, Walls, and Hedges guide.

Visit the Permits webpage for more details on the permit process, including fees, inspections, and how to apply.

Detached garages and sheds must meet both building codes and zoning requirements for setbacks, height, square footage, etc.  Sheds under 200 square feet do not require building permits but do require zoning certificates.  Any garages or sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit. For more information on the permit process for garages, please view the Homeowner's Guide to Garages (detached).  If you're unsure whether your project requires a permit or have questions about building code requirements, please contact our department before starting any work at buildingsafety@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours.  

Even if a building permit is not required, a zoning certificate may still be necessary to ensure that the property or land use is in compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. A zoning certificate is essential for property sales, leases, and development.  Please contact our department at communitydevelopment@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2600 during office hours with a sketch or a site plan outlining the proposed location of the garage or shed to discuss the zoning requirements with a planner.  For more details on zoning certificates, visit the Planning Applications webpage.

A building setback is the distance the building is setback from a street, alley, property line or road.  Building setbacks are set up by land developers and local Planning and Zoning Offices and are different for every subdivision.  If you take notice of a typical neighborhood, all the houses line up (for the most part) in the front.  This is because of the building setback line.  Building setback lines exist for many reasons.  They prevent building structures from being built too close to one another, prevent fire from spreading to buildings or homes that are too close together, and serve as utility easements for local power or water companies to gain access to properties where they have their meters.  Older neighborhoods typically have shorter building setbacks because walking was the primary means of getting from place to place and as result, local governments wanted to keeps distances shorter. 

To determine the building setbacks for your property, please contact Community Development via email or phone at 507-328-2600.

Planning is the process of developing and implementing policies for community and neighborhood growth; City planners ensure the way in which buildings, roads, and parks develop are both attractive and convenient for residents.

Zoning is the legal mechanism which helps enforce policies for the physical development and use of land. It dictates where residential, industrial, recreational, or commercial activities can take place, helping to protect investment in property.

Visit Community Development's Reports webpage to access the following permit reports: 

• Monthly Reports: a one-page summary of key planning and permit information.
• Summary Reports: a two-page summary of completed permits, categorized by application type.
• Detail Reports: a multi-page list of each permit by application type, including details such as valuation, address, subdivision, owner name, contractor name, and application number.
• Detail Report Spreadsheets: a spreadsheet that lists each permit by various searchable and sortable categories, such as permit type, date of issue, parcel, address, quadrant, valuation, work description, contractor, and owner. 

For information about permit and application requests, please visit:

• Citizen Access (www.rochestermn.gov/citizenaccess) to search specific addresses and permit records
• AgencyCounter (www.rochestermn.gov/agencycounter) to view a interactive map/dashboard

The Unified Development Code (UDC) is a set of rules that governs how Rochester can be developed. It includes things like zoning, building codes, and environmental protection requirements. The UDC is designed to ensure that new development fits with the surrounding area, meets minimum safety standards, and promotes sustainability.

Visit the Unified Development Code Webpage at www.rochestermn.gov/UDC to view the UDC, updates to the UDC, and related ordinances.