Minneapolis, MN Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Minneapolis is a regulated MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) community under the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) general permit. Chapter 54 of the Minneapolis Code requires stormwater management plans for any development or redevelopment disturbing 10,000 square feet or more or creating 5,000 square feet or more of new impervious surface. The city post-construction standard requires on-site retention of the first one inch of runoff from all impervious surfaces, generally through infiltration basins, bioswales, pervious pavement, green roofs, or underground storage. When infiltration is infeasible due to contaminated soils or shallow bedrock, filtration (sand filter, biofilter) may substitute. Projects one acre or larger also require an MPCA NPDES construction stormwater permit and a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and Bassett Creek WMC have additional rules that may apply to specific watersheds. Inspection and long-term maintenance agreements are recorded against the property.