Minneapolis, MN Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- >5 cubic yards or >500 sq ft
- ESC plan required
- >5,000 sq ft or 500 cu yd
- SWPPP required
- disturbance over 1 acre
- Enforced by
- city issuing authority
- Penalty
- separate violation each day
Summary
Minneapolis requires an erosion and sediment control permit for any land-disturbing activity that moves more than 5 cubic yards of soil or disturbs over 500 square feet, with bigger plans required past higher thresholds.
Any land disturbing activity where the total volume of material disturbed, stored, disposed of, or used as fill exceeds five (5) cubic yards or the area disturbed exceeds five hundred (500) square feet shall require an erosion and sediment control permit. No land disturbing activity shall begin prior to issuance of a permit.
(b)A complete erosion and sediment control permit application shall be submitted to the city on a city-approved application and shall conform to the standards set forth in this chapter. The permit shall include complete 24-hour contact information for the site owner and any person(s) responsible for providing and maintaining sedimentation and erosion control for the site. The permittee shall inform the issuing authority within seven (7) calendar days of any change in this contact information.(c)The City of Minneapolis may require the applicant or a third party to utilize an interactive website or other portal provided by the City to retain documents.(d)Any land disturbing activity that will result in a disturbed area of greater than five thousand (5,000) square feet or five hundred (500) cubic yards shall require a submittal of an Erosion and Sediment Control plan.(e)Any sites or common plans of development of sale that will result in a disturbed area of greater than one (1) acre shall require submittal of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. (Ord. No. 2024-031, § 1, 9-5-24)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 52 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances regulates grading, clearing and excavating as "land disturbing activities." Any project moving more than five cubic yards of soil or disturbing more than 500 square feet needs an erosion and sediment control permit from the city's issuing authority before work starts, and work cannot begin until the permit is issued. Disturbing more than 5,000 square feet or 500 cubic yards triggers a full Erosion and Sediment Control Plan; disturbing more than one acre triggers a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan meeting Minnesota Pollution Control Agency construction stormwater standards. Small jobs under both thresholds, away from watercourses and floodplains, are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 52 is an ordinance violation punishable under Code Chapters 1 and 2; each day of noncompliance is a separate violation, and the city can issue a stop-work order, revoke a business license, or bill the owner for corrective work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to regrade a Minneapolis yard?
What triggers a full stormwater plan in Minneapolis?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
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