Landscaping Rules in Olmsted County, MN (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Olmsted County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Olmsted County's shoreland overlay along lakes, rivers and streams, intensive tree and shrub clearing is banned outright in shore impact zones, bluff impact zones and on steep slopes. Owners may only cut a limited view corridor to the water and clear paths for stairways, docks and beach access, and removing dead or hazardous limbs never needs a permit.
Shoreland Tree Clearing Rules in Olmsted County
Significant RestrictionsOlmsted County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 1400 Zoning Ordinance, Art. IX § 9.15(A)(6)-(7)
6. Intensive vegetation clearing within the shore and bluff impact zones and on steep slopes is not allowed. Intensive clearing outside of these areas is allowed if consistent with the forest management standards in Section 9.12 Subdivision C of this ordinance. 7. In shore and bluff impact zones and on steep slopes, limited clearing of trees and shrubs and cutting, pruning, and trimming of tree...
Composting
Backyard compost piles are allowed in every zoning district in unincorporated Olmsted County as an accessory use, with no separate permit, but Section 10.53 caps a residential pile at five feet tall and five feet by five feet square, about 4.6 cubic yards, and requires it sit behind the house and at least five feet off the rear or side property line.
Backyard Composting Rules in Olmsted County
Light RestrictionsOlmsted County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 1400 § 10.53.C (Compost, Backyard Site)
C. Compost, Backyard Site. ... 2. Location. a. Allowed in all zoning districts, as an accessory to a primary use allowed by Olmsted County Solid Waste Management Ordinance and as permitted by the local zoning authority. ... c. On a residential site, composting activities shall be located: 1. Behind the primary residence. 2. No closer than five (5) feet to any rear or side property line. ... 5. ...
Landscaping Rules by City in Olmsted County
1 cities in Olmsted County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Olmsted County ordinances
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