Minnetonka, MN Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Section 300.10, subdivision 2(e) of the Minnetonka zoning chapter lists agriculture, farming, and truck gardening among the permitted uses in the R-1 district, except that cannabis cultivation for commercial purposes is not allowed. The district exists for single family detached dwellings, so farming here sits beside homes rather than in a dedicated agricultural zone. Commercial nurseries are a different matter: subdivision 4(q) lists them as a conditional use, which means a permit decided under the standards in § 300.16, with the City Council making the findings.

Barns and sheds are limited by the same section. Subdivision 3(b) allows accessory structures not exceeding 12 feet in height or an aggregate of 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, and subdivision 4(f) sends anything larger through the conditional use process.

Livestock is governed by § 925.115 of the animal chapter. A parcel with a large farm animal must be at least one acre, not counting wetlands and undeveloped land not usable for pasture. The maximums are one large farm animal over six months in age per acre, five small farm animals over six months per half acre, and five fowl of any age per half acre. A farm animal must not be kept on a regular basis in the front yard, must be fenced or otherwise contained, and needs a shelter structure that is not closer to the boundary line of adjacent occupied property than to the owner's principal structure, but not less than 10 feet. Crowing roosters are not allowed if the crowing can be heard off the owner's property. Commercial use of a farm animal on residentially-zoned property is barred, except on property used for agricultural purposes that qualifies for the agricultural property tax classification in Minn. Stat. § 273.11. Property that kept a farm animal outside on June 5, 1999 falls under separate transition provisions in subdivision 2.