Minnesota Statewide Rule
Minnesota Agricultural Zoning and Feedlot Regulation
Key Facts
- Counties zone under
- Counties zone under Minn. Stat. ch. 394
- MPCA feedlot oversight
- MPCA feedlot oversight under 116.07
- Right to Farm
- Right to Farm protection under 561.19
- Towing
- Townships align plans with county rules
Summary
Minnesota agricultural zoning combines local authority under chapter 394 county planning with state feedlot rules in Minn. Stat. 116.07, while Right to Farm protections in 561.19 limit nuisance challenges.
(a) A county proposing to adopt a new feedlot ordinance or amend an existing feedlot ordinance must notify the Pollution Control Agency and commissioner of agriculture at the beginning of the process, no later than the notice of the first hearing proposing to adopt or amend an ordinance purporting to address feedlots.
Full Breakdown
Counties exercise primary agricultural zoning authority under Minn. Stat. ch. 394, designating ag preserves, setting setbacks, and regulating non-farm uses in farming areas. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency oversees feedlot permits under Minn. Stat. 116.07 with detailed manure management rules. Townships may adopt comprehensive plans consistent with county zoning. The interplay of zoning, state feedlot rules, and Right to Farm protections in Minn. Stat. 561.19 means established farms generally enjoy strong defenses against later land-use complaints, while expansion or new operations must meet permit and setback standards.
Violations & Penalties
Operating outside zoning or feedlot permit conditions may trigger MPCA enforcement, county zoning citations, and civil penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who regulates feedlots in Minnesota?
Can counties limit new agricultural operations through zoning?
Sources
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