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Shoreland
The areas around lakes are subject to special rules and regulations intended
to protect water quality and minimize the visual impacts of development.
The shoreland area extends 1000 feet from the Ordinary High Water level
of any DNR classified lake. This entire area is subject to the shoreland
regulations.
Lake Classifications
Not all lakes are treated the same by the Douglas County Zoning Ordinance.
Lakes are zoned differently based on size and depth. There are three lake
classifications: General
development (largest size, lowest restrictions), Recreational
Development (medium size, medium restrictions), and Natural
Environment (smallest size, greatest restrictions). The Douglas County
Ordinance is based on this classification system.
For more information about zoning regulations for a particular lake classification,
click on the links in the text above. To find out what a particular lake
is classified, see our Lake Classification
Listing. As you access each section, use your browser's Back button
to return to this page.
The information provided is in Adobe Acrobat format.
Shoreland
Alteration Permits
The public has a responsibility to help protect our lakes and rivers.
Douglas County Land and Resource Management restricts certain types of
landscaping and building within the sensitive area known as the Shore
Impact Zone or Upland Buffer Zone.
Clearing of vegetation must be minimized in the Shore Impact Zone in order
to maintain a buffer for stormwater runoff from the lawn and other potential
sources of pollution. The buffer also provides natural wildlife habitat
and protection from shoreline erosion. Drawing used with permission from
MN DNR.
The Shore Impact Zone (SIZ) is the area from the ordinary high water mark
upland to half the distance of the building setback for the zoning district.
These distances are summarized below:
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Setbacks near unsewered lakes |
Setbacks near lakes sewered
before 1/2001 |
Setbacks near lakes sewered
after 1/2001 |
| Natural Environment Lake |
Structure- 150 feet
SIZ- 75 feet |
Structure- 150 feet
SIZ- 75 feet |
Structure- 150 feet
SIZ- 75 feet |
| Recreational Development Lake |
Structure- 100 feet
SIZ- 50 feet |
Structure- 75 feet
SIZ- 37.5 feet |
Structure- 100 feet
SIZ- 50 feet |
| General Development Lake |
Structure- 75 feet
SIZ- 37.5 feet |
Structure- 50 feet
SIZ- 25 feet |
Structure- 75 feet
SIZ- 37.5 feet |
Structures are not
allowed within the Shore Impact Zone. Stairways and landings are allowed
with a Shoreline alteration Permit (SAP). All landscaping projects within
the Shore Impact Zone require a SAP as well. Three types of SAPs are issued,
Standard, Major and Minor, depending on the type and size of the project.
Land and Resource Management staff will determine what type of permit
is required.
For more information on obtaining
a Shoreland Alteration Permit see:
| Shoreland
Alteration Permit Procedure |
This information
is provided in Adobe Acrobat Format.
If you
do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader,
click the link below to download the free reader program
Free
Adobe Acrobat Reader
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| Shoreland
Alteration Permit Application |
Removal of Shoreline Vegetation:
It is a good idea to arrange a site visit with Land and Resource Management
staff before beginning any shoreline work. You can do this by calling
(320) 762-3863. Removal of vegetation below the ordinary high water line
(OHW) is regulated by the MN Department of Natural Resources. Above the
OHW intensive vegetation removal is not allowed. Limited clearing (25%
or up to 25 feet of the shoreline frontage) is allowed with a Shoreline
Alteration Permit issued by Land and Resource Management. A Shoreline
Alteration Permit is also required for any type of landscaping, construction,
dirt work or excavation within the shore and/or bluff impact zones.
For more information on how to manage
a shoreline with little environmental impact, see our Lakescaping
Brochure.
To return to Douglas County Land and Resource Management click the link
below.
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