Egress windows in Minneapolis–St. Paul
Minneapolis's egress rules have two details many homeowners miss: a zoning setback for the window well, and a sprinkler exception for new basement bedrooms.1
Typical installed cost
$6,000–$8,000
HomeGuide's national average for an installed egress window; about $4,000 for simple jobs and up to $12,000 for complex ones.2
Size rules
- Net clear opening of at least 5.7 sq ft (5.0 sq ft for grade-floor openings).1
- At least 20" wide and 24" high, opening from the inside without keys or tools.1
- Sill no more than 44" above the finished floor.1
Window wells
- At least 9 sq ft, with at least 36" in each direction, and big enough to open the window fully.1
- A permanent ladder or steps if the well is deeper than 44"; they can't intrude more than 6" into the required space.1
- The well must extend at least 8" beyond each side of the window and drain to the foundation drainage system or another approved method.1
- Zoning: the well must be at least 2 feet from any side or rear lot line, which can rule out a side yard on a narrow city lot.1
- Under a deck or porch, keep a path at least 36" high to the yard.1
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Get my free quoteTakes under a minuteThe sprinkler exception
New bedrooms in an existing basement need egress unless the whole basement, the exit path and connected areas on the exit level are protected by an automatic sprinkler system meeting IRC P2904 or NFPA 13D.1 It's rarely cheaper, but it can solve a lot that has no room for a well.
What drives the price
- Foundation type: poured concrete costs more to cut than block.2
- Excavation and well material, plus drainage ($1,000 to $4,000 nationally).2
- Interior finishing around the new opening, and landscape restoration.2
See also basement finishing in the Twin Cities.
Common questions
How far does an egress window well have to be from the property line in Minneapolis?
At least 2 feet from any side or rear lot line, per the city's zoning requirement.
Can I skip the egress window in a basement bedroom?
Only if the entire basement and exit path are protected by an automatic sprinkler system meeting IRC P2904 or NFPA 13D.
How big does the window well need to be?
At least 9 square feet with at least 36 inches in each direction, and a permanent ladder if deeper than 44 inches.
What does an egress window cost in the Twin Cities?
No local survey exists. HomeGuide's national average is $6,000 to $8,000 installed.
General information summarized from the public sources listed below. It isn't professional, engineering or legal advice. Codes and programs change; confirm current requirements with your local building department or utility before you start.