Right to Farm in Stearns County, MN (2026)

2 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.

Farm Nuisance Protection

Stearns County shields farms in its Agricultural Districts from being found in violation of the ordinance's general nuisance standard just because new neighbors move in nearby. Land Use and Zoning Ordinance No. 439, Section 7.2 states that agricultural operations complying with the ordinance and applicable state and federal regulations are not deemed a violation, even after the surrounding area's character changes.

Stearns County Right-to-Farm Protection

Light Restrictions

Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance No. 439, Section 7.2 (Agricultural Operations)

All agricultural operations in the Agricultural Districts being conducted in compliance with the terms of this Ordinance and other applicable state and federal regulations shall not be deemed a violation of this Ordinance regardless of the fact that there may have been changes in the surrounding character of the area.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Agricultural Zoning Protection

Stearns County shields working farms from nuisance complaints and subdivision pressure through Ordinance 439. Section 7.2 protects any agricultural operation in the county's Agricultural Districts from being ruled a violation even after surrounding land use changes, while the A-160 District caps rural residential density at one home per 160 acres to preserve cropland, pasture and wildlife habitat.

Stearns County Agricultural Zoning & Right-to-Farm

Some Restrictions

Stearns County Ordinance 439 (Land Use & Zoning), §§ 7.2, 9.1.1

7.2 Agricultural Operations. All agricultural operations in the Agricultural Districts being conducted in compliance with the terms of this Ordinance and other applicable state and federal regulations shall not be deemed a violation of this Ordinance regardless of the fact that there may have been changes in the surrounding character of the area. ... 9.1.1 Purpose. The purpose of this district ...

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.

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