Saint Paul, MN Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

03(g) sets Saint Paul's grading and drainage permit framework inside the building permits chapter rather than a separate public-works ordinance. No person may perform filling or excavating activity on a property unless the work follows Appendix E (Grading) of the 2007 Minnesota State Building Code, as amended, and the additional local requirements in this subsection. A grading permit is required whenever the placement, removal or movement of more than fifty cubic yards of fill is not already covered by a general building permit, so a homeowner regrading a small backyard slope under that threshold may not need a separate grading permit, but anything larger does.

Only clean fill may be deposited as fill material on the property; contaminated or mixed debris fill is not permitted under this section. 402(a) of the Saint Paul Legislative Code before work can proceed. The property owner and/or the permittee is responsible for the grading on site, meaning liability for drainage problems or erosion runs with both the landowner and whoever pulls the permit. 00 per additional 10,000 cubic yards.