Eagan allows attached and internal ADUs by right in its Estate and R-1 districts, but does not permit detached backyard ADUs - and requires owner-occupancy plus annual registration with the City Clerk.
| ADU type | Max size | Max height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attached / internal (basement, addition) | 960 sq ft or 33% of the primary residence's footprint (excluding non-habitable attached areas), whichever is less (min 300 sq ft) | May not extend beyond the height of the primary residence | Also subject to an overall 20% lot building-coverage limit |
Allowed zoning districts: Estate and R-1 (single-family) districts only. Confirm your parcel's zoning district with the City of Eagan.
| Setbacks | No separate ADU-specific setback schedule exists - since ADUs must be attached to or internal within the primary structure, they simply follow the primary structure's existing district setbacks. |
| Parking | 2 additional off-street spaces required for the ADU, on top of the 2 spaces already required for the primary home (4 total). An additional garage may be built if only one garage is currently visible from the street. |
| Units per lot | 1 ADU maximum, capped at 2 occupants and 2 bedrooms - an unusually restrictive occupancy limit compared to most Twin Cities ordinances. |
| Owner-occupancy | Required. The owner must reside in either the primary residence or the ADU as a permanent/legal residence, and may be absent up to 180 consecutive days per year. |
| Permit type | No CUP needed - ADUs are a permitted accessory use. Annual registration with the City Clerk is required before occupancy (12-month term, renewed annually), in addition to standard building/plumbing/mechanical/electrical permits for construction. |
Verify your lot is zoned Estate or R-1, and that your ADU will be attached to or internal within the primary residence - detached structures aren't eligible.
Apply for standard building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits for the construction work itself.
Register the ADU with the City Clerk before occupancy begins. Registration runs for a 12-month term and must be renewed every year.
Make sure the property has 4 total off-street spaces (2 for the home, 2 for the ADU) and that occupancy stays within the 2-person / 2-bedroom cap.
No ADU-specific permit or registration fee amount was published in the sources reviewed for this page - confirm current fees with the City of Eagan before applying.