Stearns County has completed a nearly year-long process of updating Land Use and Zoning Ordinance 439. Amendments are a result of Shape Stearns 2040, the County’s Comprehensive Plan. These amendments fulfill many of the implementation steps set forth in the plan. Implementation checkbox document.
Here is the most updated copy of the Ordinance. It will also be posted online in the next few days at https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/4f409f17-f2f7-444c-ae69-9659b2d1c5b0. Cost for printed copies are $15 if picked up or $20 ordinance if mailed. If you would like copies for your Township please let me know.
Amendments include:
- Shoreland and vegetative alterations
- Rural Tourism
- Solar Farms
- Accessory Dwelling Units
- Agricultural Employee Housing
- Mining
- Attached garage standards
- Accessory building area outside of shoreland
- Feedlots
- Recreational vehicles, temporary
- Manufactured Homes
The Ordinance Review Committee met on Monday, April 26th at 3:30pm to discuss docks in RV parks and Recreational Vehicles. Read the meeting notes here.
County to hold last of five public hearings to amend ordinances in its ongoing effort to implement Shape Stearns. A public hearing to consider zoning amendments to recreational vehicle standards will occur on June 1st. Elected and appointed officials met several times to determine how to meet Living Pillar, Lakeshore Living Policy #7: Create Riparian standards that balance the interests of both year-round residents and seasonal residents, while protecting the natural resources that draw them to the lakeshore amenities.”
Stearns County officials continue to amend ordinances to implement Shape Stearns.
1. Subdivision Ordinance: parcels over 10 acres in Agricultural Districts are not required to plat and can be reviewed administratively. Also, Townships without planning and zoning can opt out of plat approval.
2. Zoning Ordinance:
- Size restrictions to accessory building area outside of shoreland have been removed.
- There is no longer a limit to the attached garage size in the residential districts.
- Outdoor storage is not required to meet setbacks
- Occupancy of Vacation Home Rentals is consistent with Stearns County Rental Ordinance.
- Mining: if agreed upon by both owners, a property boundary may be mined through. A review of mining permits willoccur upon a transfer of ownership. New mining operation will be limited to 10 years.
A final set of Public Hearings are scheduled for May and June. See updated schedule.
The Ordinance Review Committee will be meeting on Monday, April 26th at 3:30pm.
Click here to watch the meeting live
The Committee will be reviewing Ordinance language for recreational vehicle parks and recreational vehicles on single lots.
The Agenda and Meeting Packet are available here.
Public Hearing: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
Amendments: Feedlots
Live Meeting Link: http://stearnscountymn.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=2014
Click here to view the Proposed Changes.
Written Comments: becky.schlorf@co.stearns.mn.us by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Electronic Means: Contact deb.heim@co.stearns.mn.us or 656-3613
If you have any questions, please contact us at (320) 656-3613.
Still shaping Stearns… Stearns County officials continue to implement Shape Stearns by enacting updates to the zoning code effective April 20th related to:
- Solar Farms
- Agricultural Employee Housing
- Accessory Dwelling Units
- Rural Tourism
- Agricultural Oriented Business
- Secondary Home on a Farm
Public Hearings scheduled for April, May, June and July. See schedule.
The Ordinance Review Committee will be meeting on Monday, March 29th at 6:00pm.
Click here to watch the meeting live
The Committee will be reviewing Ordinance language for mining operations and changing the requirement for platting from 20 acres to 10 acres.
The Agenda and Meeting Packet are available here.
The Ordinance Review Committee met on Monday, February 22nd at 3:30pm to discuss SSTS and Feedlots.
Read the meeting notes here.
Due to technical difficulties, the County Board of Commissioners continued the March 2nd public hearing to March 23rd. The Commissioners will be considering amendments to the Land Use and Zoning Ordinance for the following: Agricultural Employee Housing, Accessory Dwelling Unites. Rural Tourism, Manufactured Home provisions and solar farms.