Public Conduct in Stearns County, MN (2026)

4 rules for unincorporated Stearns County, Minnesota.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Stearns County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Public Urination

Stearns County makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate anywhere in a county park except in a designated restroom or portable restroom facility. Ordinance No. 696 § 5.5 groups the rule under the Parks Ordinance's public-safety section, and violators face the same misdemeanor penalty as other park-conduct offenses.

Stearns County Park Restroom Rule

Some Restrictions

Stearns County Ordinance No. 696 (Parks Ordinance), § 5.5

5.5 It shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate in any County Park, other than in a designated restroom or portable restroom facility.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Stearns County bans tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaporizers in designated zones along its County Recreational Trails under Ordinance 594, Section 4.4, with the Parks Director setting and posting the boundaries rather than the county banning smoking trail-wide.

Stearns County Trail Tobacco-Free Zones

Some Restrictions

Stearns County Ordinance No. 594, Sec. 4.4

The Director shall determine boundaries for tobacco, e-cigarette, vaporizer, or similar device free zones along the Steams County Recreational Trails and shall post and sign the tobacco, e-cigarette, vaporizer, or similar device free zones. It is unlawful to use tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaporizer or similar devices within the designated areas.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Public Marijuana Use

Stearns County bans using cannabis products in any public place, including its parks, trails, streets, and sidewalks. Ordinance No. 696 § 17.4 folds the county park rule into the broader public-cannabis-use ban set out in Stearns County Ordinance No. 654.4, Subd. 1, applying it directly to park visitors.

Stearns County Cannabis Ban in Parks

Heavy Restrictions

Stearns County Ordinance No. 696 (Parks Ordinance), § 17.4

17.4 It is unlawful to use cannabis products in a public place, including parks, trails, public recreation area, public street or sidewalk, or any publicly owned property as outlined in Stearns County Ordinance 654.4, Subd. 1.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Public Alcohol Use

Alcohol is restricted, not banned, at Stearns County parks. Ordinance No. 696 requires a permit or a Director-designated area to drink at Quarry Park & Nature Preserve, bars alcohol entirely inside any posted 'Alcohol Free Zone' countywide, and prohibits keg or barrel beer in every county park.

Stearns County Park Alcohol Rules

Significant Restrictions

Stearns County Ordinance No. 696 (Parks Ordinance), §§ 17.1-17.2

17.1 It shall be unlawful to possess, serve or consume any beer, wine or alcoholic beverage within Quarry Park & Nature Preserve except by permit or in areas designated by the Director. 17.2 The Director shall determine boundaries for alcohol free zones within Stearns County Parks and shall post and sign the alcohol free zones within each Park. It is unlawful to possess, serve, or consume any a...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Stearns County ordinances

See every category we cover for Stearns County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Stearns County Ordinance Hub →