Does Hennepin County, MN have its own flood zones ordinance?

No. Hennepin County, MN does not appear to have a local flood zones ordinance, Minnesota state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Minn. Stat. Chapter 103F - Floodplain Management.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Hennepin County

Hennepin County, MN Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Hennepin County, MN, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Floodway: No SSTS permit issued
Floodplain: Siting avoided wherever possible
Flood fringe: Allowed if Minn. R. 7080.2270 met
Enforcement: Misdemeanor, separate offense per day

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Hennepin County, MN.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Hennepin County, MN on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

Hennepin County will not permit a subsurface sewage treatment system located in a floodway, and floodplain siting must be avoided wherever possible; flood-fringe placement is allowed only if it meets Minn. R. 7080.2270.

City-specific rules exist: Minneapolis has its own flood zones rules that differ from Hennepin County's county-level regulations. If you live in Minneapolis, check the city-specific page instead.

No permit shall be issued for SSTS located in a floodway and wherever possible, located within any part of a floodplain should be avoided. If no option exists to locate a SSTS outside of a floodplain, location within the flood fringe is allowed if the requirements of Minn. R. 7080.2270 and all relevant local requirements are met.

Source: Minn. Stat. Chapter 103F - Floodplain ManagementView official code

Full Breakdown

Section 10.11 of Hennepin County Ordinance No. 19 (Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems Standards) bars the Health Authority from issuing a permit for any SSTS sited within a floodway. Wherever possible, siting a system anywhere within a floodplain should be avoided altogether. If no option exists to place the system outside the floodplain, installation within the flood fringe is allowed only when the design meets Minn. R. 7080.2270 and any other applicable local requirements. Violations, including installing a system contrary to this section, are misdemeanors under Section 11.1, punishable by fine or imprisonment, with each day of violation a separate offense.

Violations & Fines

Installing or permitting an SSTS in violation of Section 10.11 is a misdemeanor under Section 11.1, punishable by fine or imprisonment; each day of continued violation is a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install a septic system in a floodway in Hennepin County?

No. Hennepin County Ordinance 19, Section 10.11 bars issuance of any SSTS permit for a system located in a floodway.

What if my property is in a floodplain but not a floodway?

Siting within a floodplain should be avoided if possible; installation in the flood fringe is allowed only if it meets Minn. R. 7080.2270 and other local requirements.

Sources & Official References

[1]Hennepin County Ordinance 19 — Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems Standards

Other rules in Hennepin County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome Restrictions Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard FiresSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Pet LimitsHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions Fire Regulations: FireworksHeavy Restrictions

All Hennepin County rules

Compare Hennepin County to another location·View the Minnesota environmental rules overview

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Flood Zones in Cities Across Hennepin County

Minneapolis, MN Bloomington, MN