9 rules for unincorporated Dakota County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Dakota County has no grass-height ordinance. Your city sets the limit, but Minnesota state law caps lawn grasses and weeds at eight inches unless the area is a registered managed natural landscape.
Minn. Stat. 412.925
Except as part of a managed natural landscape as defined in this section, any weeds or grasses growing upon any lot or parcel of land in a city to a greater height than eight inches or that have gone or are about to go to seed are prohibited.
Dakota County has no tree-trimming ordinance for private yards. Trimming your own trees is a city matter, and boulevard or right-of-way trees are managed by your city forester, not the county.
Dakota County does not require a permit to remove a tree on private land. Some cities, such as Lakeville, regulate significant-tree removal during development and require replacement above set thresholds.
Minnesota's Noxious Weed Law requires all landowners to control noxious weeds. The mayor of each city and town supervisors serve as local weed inspectors; Dakota County has no separate weed ordinance.
Minn. Stat. 18.78, subd. 1
A person owning land, a person occupying land, or a person responsible for the maintenance of public land must manage all noxious weeds, according to the noxious weed categories under section 18.771, on the land at a time and in a manner ordered by an inspector or county-designated employee.
Dakota County does not set watering restrictions. Your city or water utility does, typically odd/even address-day sprinkling and no midday watering during summer. The county promotes voluntary conservation.
Inver Grove Heights lawn watering schedule
Properties with addresses ending in an even number should limit watering of lawns to even-numbered calendar days, and addresses ending in an odd number should limit watering lawns to odd-numbered calendar days.
Rain barrels and rain gardens are legal in Dakota County and encouraged for stormwater and groundwater protection. There is no county permit for residential rain barrels; large systems follow city and plumbing codes.
Minnesota law requires every city to allow managed natural landscapes of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs, even over eight inches tall. Dakota County encourages native and pollinator plantings.
Minn. Stat. 412.925
A statutory city or home rule charter city shall allow an owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of any privately owned lands or premises to install and maintain a managed natural landscape.
Dakota County has no artificial-turf ordinance. Whether synthetic lawn is allowed, and any coverage or drainage limits, is decided by your city's zoning and impervious-surface rules.
Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged in Dakota County. State law bans putting yard waste in the trash, and the county runs free organics (food-scraps) drop-off sites for residents.
Minn. Stat. 115A.931(a)
A person may not place yard waste: (1) in mixed municipal solid waste; (2) in a disposal facility; or (3) in a resource recovery facility except for the purposes of reuse, composting, or cocomposting.
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