Hennepin County, MN Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

All plants or trees removed or damaged shall be replaced in kind by the permit holder. A tree replacement plan must be included with the permit application for any project that includes the removal of trees within the county road right-of-way. Tree replacements plans will be submitted by the engineer to the Department of Environment and Energy for approval.

Trenching Trenches for all utilities shall be located as approved by the county. Trenches, located parallel with the county road, shall not be left opened for a distance greater than 300 feet Excavated materials shall be placed or stored on the side of the operation farthest from the traveled roadway and an adequate distance from the edge of the excavation to prevent trench collapse. The material shall not impede any existing drainage After the work has been completed, the excavation may be backfilled with the original excavated material unless it consists of peat, muck, soft or unstable soil, boulders or large rock. If the excavated material is unsuitable, it shall be disposed of off county managed public right-of-way and replaced with granular or suitable clay soils as approved by the county All trenching shall be backfilled by the "Quality Compaction Method" as defined in the current edition of the MnDOT Standard Specifications for Construction The use of flow-able fill as a backfilling material is prohibited unless prior permission is received from the engineer