Planning & Zoning

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 it. 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.

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

While walk-ins are welcome, our Planners are happy to schedule an appointment with you to discuss any planning and zoning questions or concerns.  By scheduling ahead, you may reduce any possible wait time you may experience as a walk-in. Planners are typically available to meet during normal business hours and can be contacted via email or via phone at 507-328-2600. The Community Development Department is co-located with Public Works at the Development Services and Infrastructure Center, 4001 W River Pkwy NW, Suite 100, Rochester, Minnesota 55901.

Some properties may have site plans on file at the Development Services & Infrastructure Center. Please contact Community Development at 507-328-2600 to request a copy of a site plan. You may also be able to determine the approximate location of your property lines by looking up the Subdivision Plat or Interactive Zoning Map. If you are unable to find the survey markers in the ground at your property, you can hire a licensed land surveyor. Community Development does not keep any surveys on file.

Property lines are determined by a survey. Do not assume that a fence is a reliable marker for the location of a side or rear property line. You may be able to determine the approximate location of your property lines by looking up the Subdivision Plat or Interactive Zoning Map. If you are unable to find the survey markers in the ground at your property, you can hire a licensed land surveyor to mark your property lines.

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.

For information about permit and application requests, please visit:

• Citizen Access to search specific addresses and permit records
• 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 to view the UDC, updates to the UDC, and related ordinances.

The City of Rochester has a Zoning Compliance Liaison, who can be reached via phone at 507-328-2955.