Stearns County, MN Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger threshold
- 1+ acre of new impervious surface
- Governing section
- Ordinance 439, Sec. 7.26 Stormwater Management
- Design standard
- Minnesota Stormwater Manual compliance required
- Vegetative cover release
- 70% uniform ground cover to release bond
- Applies to
- Unincorporated townships, not cities
- Enforcement
- Abatement order, Sec. 4.23; appeal in 10 days
Summary
Stearns County requires a stormwater pollution prevention plan for new development in the unincorporated area that adds an acre or more of impervious surface, plus certain resorts and redevelopment projects. The plan must use best management practices and permanent treatment facilities, gets reviewed by the Environmental Services Department, and needs a financial guarantee before it is approved.
7.26 Stormwater Management. The purpose of this Section is to reduce pollutant levels in source discharges and protect water quality of Stearns County water resources using best management practices (BMPs) and stormwater treatment facilities. 7.26.1 Applicability: A stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) shall be required for, and all stormwater provisions shall apply to, any of the following activities within the unincorporated areas of Stearns County located outside of a public road right-of-way. A. Any development activity that results in the cumulative addition of one (1) acre or greater of new impervious surface to the site not covered by Minnesota Rules Chapter 7020. ... SWPPP Compliance: If an applicant does not implement the requirements of a SWPPP, the Director may issue an abatement order as outlined in Section 4.23 of this Ordinance.
Full Breakdown
26 of Land Use and Zoning Ordinance No. 439 governs stormwater in the townships and unincorporated area outside any public road right-of-way; incorporated cities like St. Cloud and Sartell run their own stormwater programs. 23(C) and (D), or by any other activity the Director determines could significantly increase runoff, flooding, erosion or pollution. 2 requires the plan to use best management practices and permanent stormwater treatment facilities suited to the site, consistent with the Minnesota Stormwater Manual, with the applicant responsible for design, construction and maintenance; no covered activity may proceed until the Department reviews and approves the plan.
A Certified SWPPP Designer must prepare the plan, which has to map property lines, drainage areas, discharge points, the 100-year floodplain, wetland boundaries and two-foot elevation contours. Before final plat or construction site permit approval, the applicant must post a financial guarantee with the County, released only after a Certified SWPPP Designer certifies the system works and County staff verify at least 70 percent uniform vegetative ground cover has established. 23, with a written deadline to fix the problem and a right to appeal to the Board of Adjustment within ten business days.
Violations & Fines
Failing to obtain or follow an approved SWPPP is enforced through an abatement order under Section 4.23, giving the property owner a set deadline to install or fix the required stormwater facilities and a right to appeal to the Board of Adjustment within ten business days. General violations of Ordinance 439, including stormwater noncompliance, are a misdemeanor under Section 12.8, carrying a fine up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every new driveway or building in Stearns County need a stormwater plan?
Who has to design the stormwater plan?
What happens if the stormwater facilities aren't built as approved?
Does Stearns County's stormwater rule apply inside St. Cloud?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stearns County
Compare Stearns County to another location·View the Minnesota environmental rules overview
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