The purpose this ordinance is to “control or eliminate soil erosion and sedimentation within the City of Minneapolis.” It applies to all land disturbances and soil storage activities. This ordinance refers permitees to a Manual of Standards that describes acceptable Best Management Practices (BMPs) for use in controlling sedimentation and erosion. It also sets a schedule for mandatory inspections by the issuing authority... Read More

Goodhue County adopted solar energy system (SES) regulations in Article 19 of its zoning ordinance. These regulations define a ground-mounted SES as a solar collector located on the ground surface that is physically affixed or attached to the ground, including pole-mounted systems. The regulations define a roof-mounted SES as a solar collector located on the roof of a building or structure that may be physically affixed or attached to the roof. For both ground-mounted and roof-mounted SESs, the regulations include sub-definitions for residentia.. Read More

Areas of the county which are important for their high quality natural areas, agricultural or scenic value have been identified and mapped. Lands within these areas are then eligible for the purchase of development rights (conservation easement) using county revenue or in conjunction with other sources of money. The permanent easement is then held and enforced by a qualified agency or group... Read More

The Minneapolis Health Department conducted studies which concluded that impoverished areas, and particularly communities of color, had less access to healthy produce within the City. These communities most often use corner stores for daily food purchases, and these stores rarely have fresh produce for sale. As a result, these communities often have disproportionate health risks. The Minneapolis Health Department teamed up with corner store owners to improve access to fresh produce and healthier foods. The program’s objectives are to (1) in.. Read More

In 2010, the surfacing ordinance for Minneapolis’ off-street parking was amended to allow pervious pavement to be used as surfacing. The Code of Ordinance also gives strict guidelines to be followed with implementing the pervious pavement as surfacing for parking. (541.300–305). The 2010 amendment to the original ordinance states that the implementation of pervious pavement will further the city’s comprehensive plan by encouraging developments to use best management practices for stormwater management through sustainable design practices... Read More

Arden Hills, Minnesota enacted a minimum distance ordinance. In Arden Hills, “drive-in businesses” and “fast food restaurants” are not permitted within 400 feet of schools, churches, public recreation areas, and residentially zoned property. Fast-food restaurants also must be a minimum of 1,320 feet from one another. This helps prevent food swamps near important public places. .. Read More

Chapter 13 of Ramsey, Minnesota’s Comprehensive Plan sets a clear strategy of preserving existing tree canopy and promoting planting more trees in new developments to increase the air quality of the community for future generations. They further set a policy of finding opportunities to plant additional trees along Highway 10 and other major roadways... Read More

The model addresses concerns that are primarily in counties, townships, and rural areas rather than cities and urban areas. The incentive portion of the urban model ordinance can be applied in rural areas, as are provisions addressing solar access and aesthetic considerations in those rural areas with development patterns at an urban scale (typically lots smaller than 1 acre). This ordinance addresses solar energy as both a principal use and as an accessory use to the primary residential or commercial use. The model outlines height restriction.. Read More

The Bloomington City Code provides for an “HX-R” zoning district (high intensity mixed use with residential) that aims to reduce vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled by maximizing high-intensity development in close proximity to transit. The ordinance prohibits drive-through and other car-oriented uses. It provides a minimum density of 30 dwelling units per acre of gross site area for residential development in order to promote a critical mass of dwelling units in an area that can support neighborhood-oriented retail and service uses (the.. Read More

Minnesota state statues allow cities to enact ordinances to handle the problems associated with hazardous and vacant buildings. In turn, the Minneapolis legislature enacted a statute authorizing the city to rehabilitate or demolish buildings to enhance livability, preserve the tax base, and abate public nuisances created by these buildings. The ordinance allows the director of inspections to secure vacant and hazardous buildings and serve notice on the property owner. If the owner fails to reply within six days, the director may authoriz.. Read More

The goal of this ordinance is to protect the ecosystems within the local watershed. The region is mapped and classified, and development has to be designed to minimize the impact on the waterways, wetlands, bluffs, trees, and other natural features... Read More

This broad natural resource management ordinance attempts to “protect, preserve, and enhance the natural resources and environment.” It forces the collection of data on the parcel in question and mandates low impact and best practices which preserve water quality, wetlands, trees, an reduce soil erosion among other issues... Read More

The City Code of Minneapolis, Minnesota provides for pedestrian oriented overlay districts (“PO”) for smaller sized areas throughout the city in the vicinity of public transit service stations (bus, train, or both) that consist of regulations aimed to promote pedestrian activity and street life in addition to the underlying zone’s original regulations. The city recently constructed Metro Transit Hiawatha Light Rail Line that makes 17 stops between the popular Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis, with dozen of bus routes timed to connect w.. Read More

In its Zoning Ordinance, Brown County in Minnesota lists solar energy systems and solar structures as permitted uses in the Agricultural/Shoreland Protection District, Highway Business District, General Business District, and Limited Industry. Section 702 of its Zoning Ordinance, however, permits solar energy systems and solar structures as accessory uses in all districts, including residential ones, “provided the system is in compliance with minimum lot requirement and setbacks.” The section also goes on to include solar energy systems as elig.. Read More

In Cottage Grove, Minnesota, the city has established a Low-Density Residential District “where all public services, utilities and amenities needed for urban residential development are available” and development densities do not exceed five dwelling units per gross acre. Cottage Grove does permit density bonuses in this District between 0-5% if applicants demonstrate innovative energy conservation efforts, including orientation of lost for maximum use of passive solar energy and preservation of solar access for active solar energy systems. Sol.. Read More

Falcon Heights, Minnesota has incorporated an extensive solar energy systems section with its Zoning Chapter. In Section 113-254, active solar energy systems are permitted as an accessory use in all zoning districts, subject to a number of regulations. Those regulations include height requirements for building- or roof-mounted, ground-mounted, and pole-mounted systems; a number setback requirements; and that “active solar energy systems be designed to blend into the architecture of the building or be screened from routine view from public right.. Read More

Fairbault, Minnesota permits solar energy systems in all of its zoning districts. In a separate sub-section within its Code of Ordinances, Fairbault lists a few solar energy systems regulations that only apply to properties that have more than four square feet of solar panels. These regulations include a maximum of one hundred twenty square feet of solar panels on one property parcel; specific requirements for roof-mounted and ground-mounted systems; and that an applicant must obtain building and electrical permits for all systems over four squ.. Read More

Under the City of Kellogg, Minnesota’s zoning code, solar energy systems (SES) and solar and earth­sheltered structures are permitted uses, provided certain requirements are met, that may be exempt from certain restrictions by variance. The provisions also forbid vegetation or structures in residential districts if they cast a shadow on an existing SES greater than a determined standard. That standard does not apply to vegetation and structures existing at the time of SES installation. Violation constitutes a private nuisance that gives rise to.. Read More