Burnsville allows attached and detached ADUs by right in its R-1 and R-1A districts through a standard building permit, with a mandatory owner-occupancy requirement and one additional off-street parking space.
| ADU type | Max size | Max height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | No more than 50% of the primary home's square footage (minimum 300 sq ft). Example from the city's brochure: a 1,600 sq ft home allows up to an 800 sq ft ADU; a 3,000 sq ft home allows up to 1,500 sq ft. | Not clearly published in available sources - confirm with the city | Max 2 bedrooms. Must be on a permanent foundation (no wheels) and architecturally consistent with the primary home. |
| Attached / internal | Same 50%-of-home-square-footage formula applies | Matches the primary structure | Max 2 bedrooms |
R-1 and R-1A only, on lots at least 10,000 sq ft. Some third-party sources cite a different "40% of home / 900 sq ft" cap - this page uses the official city brochure's 50%-of-home-square-footage figure as authoritative, confirmed directly against the city's current published brochure. Confirm your parcel's zoning district with the city.
| Setbacks | ADU must meet the same setbacks as the primary house. The city's brochure states a minimum 8 ft rear yard and 5 ft side yard setback (R-1/R-1A). |
| Parking | 1 additional off-street parking space required, on top of the 2 spaces already required for the primary home. |
| Owner-occupancy | Required. The owner must live in either the primary residence or the ADU as a permanent home at least 185 days per year. The ADU cannot be subdivided or sold separately from the lot. |
| Units per lot | 1 ADU maximum |
| Rental license | Required if the ADU is leased to anyone who isn't a "qualifying relative" |
| Short-term rentals | Allowed with a separate Short-Term Rental License and payment of lodging tax |
| Park dedication fee | Applies when adding an ADU. No dollar amount was found in available sources - confirm current figures with the city. |
| Garage conversions | Allowed, but require building a replacement garage of at least 440 sq ft |
| Entry door | If the ADU's exterior door is on the same wall as the primary residence's front door, the two doors must be at least 20 ft apart |
The city's current standards, a 10,000 sq ft lot minimum and a 50%-of-home size cap, reflect that loosening. The exact date of the amendment that replaced the 1-acre minimum wasn't confirmed in available sources - if the amendment history matters for your project, ask Planning & Development for the current ordinance citation.
Verify your lot is zoned R-1 or R-1A and at least 10,000 sq ft.
Put together a survey or site plan showing setbacks, floor plans and elevations of the ADU, and a calculation showing the unit doesn't exceed 50% of the primary home's square footage.
ADUs go through a standard residential building permit process - not a conditional use permit or discretionary review.
The city reviews for zoning and building code compliance, including the 50%-of-home size cap and required setbacks. The city's stated goal for standard residential building permit review is about 5 business days.
Expect the standard sequence of building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and fire code inspections during construction.
Apply for a rental license if leasing to anyone who isn't a qualifying relative, or a Short-Term Rental License if you'll list it on Airbnb/VRBO; park dedication fees apply when adding an ADU.
No ADU-specific permit fee schedule or review timeline beyond the above was found in available sources - confirm current figures with Burnsville Planning & Development. ADU-specific questions: 952-895-4455. Building permits: 952-895-4444. Rental licensing: 952-895-4440.
| Garage conversion | Roughly $65,000-$160,000, plus the cost of the required replacement garage (at least 440 sq ft) |
| Basement conversion | Roughly $110,000-$220,000, depending on existing ceiling height and utility access |
| New detached ADU | Roughly $135,000-$300,000+ for a code-compliant, fully insulated freestanding unit |
| SAC fee | $2,485 per unit in 2026, charged by Metropolitan Council Environmental Services on new units that add sewer demand |
| City permit fees | Building permit fee is valuation-based; mechanical/plumbing permits use a flat schedule (e.g., $250 for new residential construction, plus a $1 state surcharge, minimum permit fee $82). A park dedication fee also applies - amount not published, confirm with the city. |
These are general ranges from local contractor estimates and regional reporting, not quotes - Burnsville-specific cost data wasn't publicly available, so treat these as starting points, not precise figures. Actual cost depends heavily on lot conditions, finishes, and whether a garage replacement or utility extension is required. Minnesota's climate adds real cost too: a detached ADU is a fully insulated, freestanding structure, not just a room.
