Edina legalized ADUs by right in its R-1 district in April 2024 (Ordinance 2024-02), with a 1,000 sq ft size cap and an unusual rule limiting rentals to just one unit on the property at a time.
| ADU type | Max size | Max height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | 1,000 sq ft total floor area, combined with all other accessory buildings on the lot (attached garages excluded). A full basement conversion may exceed this cap. | Up to 1.5 story / 18 ft, or up to 2 story / 25 ft | Height tier determines setbacks - see caption below and the additional standards table |
| Attached / internal | Same 1,000 sq ft combined cap applies (exception for full basement conversions) | Follows the principal structure's own existing height limit | Uses the primary home's existing setbacks rather than the detached-ADU tiers |
R-1 only. ADUs were legalized citywide in this district by Ordinance 2024-02, adopted April 2024. Confirm your parcel's zoning district with the Planning Division.
| Setbacks (detached) | ≤1.5 story / 18 ft height: 5 ft interior side, 15 ft corner side, 5 ft rear. Up to 2 story / 25 ft height: interior side setback matches the principal structure's own requirement, 15 ft corner side, 12 ft rear (5 ft if abutting an alley). |
| Setbacks (attached / internal) | Follows the principal structure's own existing setback and height requirements rather than the detached-ADU tiers above. |
| Waterbody setback | 50 ft standard, increased to 75 ft for lots on Indianhead, Arrowhead, Mirror, and Cornelia lakes. Only relevant to lakeshore parcels. |
| Parking | No additional off-street parking spaces required; existing on-site parking must be hard-surfaced. |
| Only one unit may be rented at a time | Edina does not impose a traditional owner-occupancy mandate, but only one of the main house or the ADU may be rented out at any given time - never both simultaneously. A rental license is required for whichever unit is rented. Short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO-style) are banned entirely. |
| Units per lot | 1 ADU permitted; cannot be subdivided or sold separately from the principal residence. |
| Building code | Must meet 2020 Minnesota Residential Code dwelling unit standards |
| Rental license | Required for whichever unit (main house or ADU) is rented, per the one-at-a-time rule above |
Worth knowing: Edina went from no ADU allowance to a citywide by-right ordinance in roughly two years once the Planning Commission study kicked off - a notably faster path than St. Paul's multi-phase rollout between 2016 and 2023.
Verify your lot is zoned R-1, the only district where ADUs are currently allowed, and check your 1,000 sq ft cap against any existing accessory buildings.
The city publishes an ADU-specific checklist covering required materials - typically a site plan, floor plans, elevation drawings, and a foundation plan for detached units or new additions.
Run your project through the city's online Permit Fee Estimator before applying, then submit through the ePermits system with the ADU checklist materials attached.
General residential plan review runs 5-10 business days per city guidance; detached units or projects near a regulated waterbody may take longer.
Once permitted, expect the standard framing, plumbing, electrical, and final inspections before occupancy.
Apply for a rental license for whichever unit you rent out - remember only one unit may be rented at a time, and short-term rentals are banned outright.
No single flat ADU permit fee is published - fees are calculated by project valuation. Use the city's online Permit Fee Estimator or contact Building Inspections at 952-826-0372, or the Community Development Coordinator at 952-833-9522, for current figures (weekdays, City Hall hours).
| Garage conversion | Roughly $65,000-$160,000, based on local contractor estimates and regional reporting |
| Basement conversion | Roughly $110,000-$220,000; note a full basement conversion may exceed the standard 1,000 sq ft combined cap under the ordinance's exception for basements |
| New detached ADU | Roughly $135,000-$300,000+ for a code-compliant, fully insulated freestanding unit within the 1,000 sq ft combined cap and applicable height/setback tier |
| City's own estimate | Edina's ADU page cites a broad $100,000-$350,000 range depending on project type - consistent with the ranges above |
| SAC fee | $2,485 per unit in 2026, charged by Metropolitan Council Environmental Services on new units that add sewer demand |
| City permit & plan review fees | Calculated by project valuation using the city's online Permit Fee Estimator - no flat ADU fee is published |
These are general ranges from local contractor estimates, regional reporting, and the city's own published estimate, not quotes - actual cost depends heavily on lot conditions, finishes, and whether utilities need to be extended. Lakeshore parcels on Indianhead, Arrowhead, Mirror, or Cornelia lakes should also budget extra design time for the 75 ft waterbody setback.
