Communities around Minnesota are taking their shoreland ordinances beyond the statewide minimums standards to tackle tough issues affecting lakes and rivers.The current shoreland rules were updated in 1989. They do not address emerging problems with declining water quality and habitat loss due to contemporary shoreland development, or the effects of climate change. Communities can do more!Examples of Innovative Standards
The following examples highlight what communities across the state are doing to protect water quality and shoreline habitat, reduce lake crowding, and streamline administration of their shoreland ordinances. Determining what innovative standards are right for each community depends on a range of considerations.Administrative Provisions
Standards and procedures that improve efficiency and clarity in both administration and enforcement.Examples of Administrative Provisions
- Improves clarity for evaluating and determining administrative decisions
- Improves clarity for evaluating and determining discretionary decisions
Bluff Standards
Standards for features that rise 30% or more above the ordinary high water level.Examples of Bluff Standards
- Protects investment in structures from bluff failure
- Provides greater space to allow vegetation and habitat in bluff areas
- Protects slopes from erosion and failure
- Reduces visual impact of structures from the water
Density / Lot Size Standards
Standards that regulate the minimum lot size or the number of dwelling units within a specified area.Examples of Density / Lot Size Standards
- Preserves and enhances natural lakeshore character
- Reduces visual impact of structures from the water
- Reduces surface water use and crowding
- Enhances and maintains property value
Impervious Surface Standards
Standards that reduce the amount of hard surfaces that cause nutrient laden runoff to flow into surface waters.Examples of Impervious Surface Standards
- Provides space to allow for riparian vegetation and habitat
- Preserves and enhances natural lakeshore character
- Reduces stormwater runoff and nutrient flows into surface waters
Land Alteration Standards
Standards that guide land disturbance and grading activities in sensitive areas.Examples of Land Alteration Standards
- Prevents sedimentation and flow of nutrients into surface waters
- Reduces risk of slope and bluff failure
- Retains vegetation
Limits on Land Uses and Structures
Standards that define what types of structures and land uses are allowable. Land uses are typically regulated as permitted, conditional, and prohibited.Examples of Standards that Limit Land Use and Structures
- Limit intense uses in sensitive areas
- Easy to administer
- Preserves and enhances natural lake shore character
- Reduces visual impact of structures from the water
Nonconformity Standards
Standards for any uses, lots or structures that do not comply with current zoning standards.Examples of Nonconformity Standards
- General reduction of impacts caused by nonconformities
- Provides clarity on managing nonconformities
Retaining Wall Standards
Standards that regulate the placement, size and permit type for installing retaining walls within shoreland.Examples of Retaining Wall Standards
- Protects riparian vegetation and habitat
- Allows movement of wildlife to and from the water
- Preserves and enhances natural lake shore character
Riprap Standards
Standards that reduce risk of bank and slope failure while providing environmental and aesthetic benefits.Examples of Riprap Standards
- Prevents sedimentation and flow of nutrients into surface waters
- Reduces risk of bank, slope, and bluff failure
- Protects natural shoreline habitat and vegetation and their benefits including slowing, storing and filtering runoff, and providing animal habitat and visual screening
- Reduces risk of algal blooms by reducing thermal loading of surface waters
Septic Dimensional Standards
Standards that regulate the setback distances between septic systems and sensitive features such as the water's edge and blufflines.Examples of Septic Dimensional Standards
- Reduces bacteria entry into surface waters
- Reduces risk of bluff failures
- Reduces risk of seepage from bluffs and steep slopes
Shoreland District and Waterbody Classifications Standards
Standards that define the size of the shoreland district and the types of subdistricts or waterbody classification methods.Examples of Shoreland District and Waterbody Classification Standards
- Customize protections to sensitive shoreline resources and waters
- Easy to administer
Structure Setback Standards
Standards that establish the minimum distance between structures and septic systems and sensitive areas such as the water's edge and bluff lines.Examples of Structure Setback Standards
- Provides space to allow for vegetation and habitat in riparian and bluff areas
- Preserves and enhances natural lakeshore character
- Reduces visual impact of structures from the water
- Reduces visual obstructions of the water from neighboring properties
Vegetation Management Standards
Standards that promote the protection and restoration of near-shore vegetation for habitat, water quality and aesthetic purposes.Examples of Vegetation Management Standards
- Slows runoff into waterbodies, encouraging groundwater recharge
- Infiltrates runoff and filters nutrients and pollution
- Provides habitat
- Enhances natural lakeshore character
- Anchors the soil, reducing erosion