Anoka County, MN Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Lake freeboard
- 3 feet above highest known water level
- River/stream freeboard
- 3 feet above highest known flood elevation
- Utilities
- Must be elevated or water-tight to same level
- Flood-proofing method
- Must resist hydrostatic pressure per FEMA bulletins
- Enforcing agency
- Public Health and Environmental Services Dept.
- Applies to
- Unincorporated shoreland lots only
Summary
Where floodplain regulatory elevations don't already control, Anoka County's Shoreland Management Ordinance requires the lowest floor of a structure, including any basement, to sit at least three feet above the highest known water level or the ordinary high water level, and utilities and flood-proofing must match that elevation.
A. Determining elevations. Structures must be placed at an elevation consistent with the applicable floodplain regulatory elevations. Where these controls do not exist, the elevation to which the lowest floor, including basement, is placed or flood-proofed must be determined as follows: (1) For lakes, by placing the lowest floor at a level at least three feet above the highest known water level, or three feet above the ordinary high water level, whichever is higher... (2) For rivers and streams, by placing the lowest floor at least three feet above the highest known flood elevation. If highest known flood elevation is not available, by placing the lowest floor at least three feet above the ordinary high water level..., or by conducting a technical evaluation to establish a flood protection elevation. Technical evaluations must be done by a qualified engineer or hydrologist consistent with Minnesota Rules, parts 6120.5000 to 6120.6200.
Full Breakdown
2 of the Shoreland Management Ordinance sets the freeboard Anoka County requires before FEMA floodplain rules even apply. 6200. 2(B) extends the same elevation to every service utility serving the structure, which must be elevated or made water-tight, and it allows flood-proofing in place of elevation only if the structure resists hydrostatic pressure through blocks, pilings, filled stem walls, an elevated concrete pad, internally flooded enclosed areas, or another method consistent with FEMA technical bulletins 1, 2 and 3. Building at the wrong elevation triggers the same permitting chain as any other shoreland construction: a permit under Sec.
1 and a certificate of compliance under Sec. 4 before the county signs off, both administered by the Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services Department. This rule reaches only unincorporated shoreland parcels; incorporated cities that have adopted their own shoreland ordinance handle their own floodplain elevation requirements.
Violations & Fines
Placing a lowest floor below the required elevation, or skipping the flood-proofing standard, violates Sec. 6.4.2 and is a misdemeanor under Sec. 2.2.1, enforced by the Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services Department. The county can withhold a certificate of compliance under Sec. 3.4 until the elevation is corrected, and the County Attorney may seek an injunction to compel correction of noncompliant construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above the water does my house have to be built in Anoka County's shoreland?
Can I flood-proof my basement instead of raising the whole house?
Does this elevation rule apply if I live in the City of Anoka?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anoka County
Compare Anoka County to another location·View the Minnesota environmental rules overview
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