Landscaping Rules in Carver County, MN (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Carver County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Carver County's unincorporated shoreland areas, clear-cutting natural vegetation within 50 feet of the ordinary high water level is prohibited outright. Only a strip no wider than 12 feet may be cleared to the water's edge for access, and intensive clearing is barred entirely on bluff impact zones and steep slopes.
Carver County Shoreland Tree Removal Rules
Significant RestrictionsCarver County Code of Ordinances § 152.125
In all shoreland areas the removal of natural vegetation is prohibited within 50 feet of the ordinary high water level except that a strip not to exceed 12 feet in width may be clear cut to the water’s edge to afford access to the water.
Rainwater Harvesting
Carver County lets developers meet part of their required stormwater volume control by capturing and reusing runoff for irrigation instead of building a pond or infiltration basin. Appendix A to the county's Water Resource Management ordinance credits a site if the captured water is applied on-site once a week for 20 weeks of the growing season, and the same reuse can offset up to half the required phosphorus and sediment removal.
Carver County Stormwater Reuse Credit for Irrigation
Light RestrictionsCarver County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 153, Appendix A (C)(4) and (D)(2)(f)(1)
(4) Stormwater reuse (irrigation). To meet the volume requirement, the volume to be retained on-site must be utilized on-site once per week for a period of 20 weeks during the growing season. The volume reduction for stormwater reuse is calculated by the area irrigated times the irrigation rate. ... (f) Volume practices. 1. Stormwater reuse. 50% TP and 50% TSS requirements can be met through re...
Composting
Carver County lets residents run a backyard compost pile for their own household yard waste without a county license, but the pile has to stay orderly, nuisance-free, and at least five feet off the property line under County Code § 50.070.
Carver County Backyard Compost Rules
Some RestrictionsCarver County Code of Ordinances § 50.070(C)
Yard waste composting sites maintained by individual residents or businesses for wastes generated solely from the residence or business occupying the property the composting site is located on do not have to be licensed by the county. However, the following requirements must be met: (1) Compost sites must be maintained in an orderly and nuisance-free manner. (2) A compost pile may not be locate...
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