Apple Valley, MN Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Section 152.55(A) governs development and redevelopment. No land can be altered from its existing conditions or contours in a way that sends surface water runoff onto adjacent property to cause flooding or erosion, and all runoff is channeled into a storm drain, watercourse, ponding area or other suitable facility. New, redeveloped or expanded commercial, industrial, multiple residential and institutional development needs an approved drainage plan that meets the NPDES and Minnesota Pollution Control Stormwater regulations, Chapter 152 and the Apple Valley Surface Water Management Plan. The infiltration standard is the first one-half inch of any rainfall over the entire site, or one inch over the entire area of new impervious surface, or the MPCA Construction Stormwater Permit standard. The requirement can be waived if soil conditions are found unsuitable for infiltration, as identified in the adopted Surface Water Management Plan.

Where a natural resources management permit is required, the property owner signs a maintenance agreement with the city covering design specifications, maintenance, inspection and right of access for permanent infiltration and filtration facilities. It binds heirs and later owners and is recorded against the property with the Dakota County Recorder's Office (§ 152.55(C)). Section 152.55(E) makes it unlawful, and a public nuisance, to put refuse, garbage, dirt, rock, yard waste, sewage, petroleum products, paint, chemicals, antifreeze or vehicle fluids on any street, sidewalk or trail, or into any catch basin or storm sewer, public or private. De-icing material stored and used in bulk quantities is on that list, though an individual's personal use is not.

Bulk de-icer storage falls under § 152.55(F). Storing outdoors or in an open-air structure five or more tons in dry form or 1,000 or more gallons in liquid form takes a natural resources management plan permit. That permit runs November 1 through April 30, the material sits on an impervious surface inside a secure containment structure, and only one containment area is allowed per property. Setbacks are 25 feet from any catch basin opening or inlet, 50 feet from the ordinary high-water level of any water body or open channel ditch, 100 feet from an impaired water body, and 25 feet from any sewer manhole or water valve. Releases are reported to Apple Valley's Natural Resources Department within the next business day. The city can deny an application from anyone who violated the provision in the previous three years.