Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Stearns County

Stearns County, MN Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Ordinance 439, Sec. 9.1.9 (A-160 district)
Base density
1 dwelling per 160 acres, Sec. 9.1.8
Bonus rule
No bonus except under Sec. 7.6 or 10.2
Alternative tool
Density transfer between 160-acre tracts, Sec. 9.1.8(H)
Other districts
A-80/A-40/R-10 set separate bonus rules

Summary

Stearns County's A-160 agricultural zoning district, its most restrictive rural district at one home per 160 acres, allows no density bonus at all, except through the conservation design overlay process in Section 7.6 or the general provisions of Section 10.2. Every other primary agricultural and residential district carries its own separate density-bonus rule.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Stearns County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The intent of the A-160 District is to restrict residential density to an average of one residential dwelling per one hundred sixty (160) acres. ... 9.1.9 Density Bonus. No density bonus is allowed in the A-160 district except under the provisions of Section 7.6 and 10.2 of this Ordinance.

View official code

Full Breakdown

9 of Land Use and Zoning Ordinance No. 8. 2, the county's broader subdivision and platting standards. 4's cluster development standards and be backed by a recorded Declaration of Restriction barring further residential development on the tract the density was transferred from. 9 allows one only under a stated exception.

Violations & Fines

Building at a density above what A-160 allows, without qualifying under the Section 7.6 or Section 10.2 exception, is a zoning violation enforced under Ordinance 439's general compliance chapter. The Director can issue an abatement order under Section 4.23 requiring correction, and a violation is a misdemeanor under Section 12.8 punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a density bonus for a subdivision in Stearns County's A-160 district?
Not under the standard bonus system. Section 9.1.9 states no density bonus is allowed in the A-160 district except under the Conservation Design Overlay provisions of Section 7.6 or the general standards of Section 10.2, so a bonus request has to route through one of those two sections specifically.
Is there any other way to add residential density in A-160 besides a bonus?
Yes. Section 9.1.8(H) lets an owner combine eligible density from a 160-acre tract into a contiguous 160-acre tract as a transfer rather than a bonus. Once two or more transfers accumulate, the resulting sites must cluster under Section 7.4 and the sending tract is restricted from further residential development.
Do other agricultural districts in Stearns County get a bigger density bonus than A-160?
Yes. Section 9.3.9 allows density bonuses in the A-40 district, and Section 7.5.3(C) documents a 100 percent bonus for qualifying conservation-design subdivisions there. A-160 has no equivalent general bonus, only the narrow Section 7.6/10.2 exception.
What happens if a developer builds over the allowed density in A-160 without qualifying for an exception?
It's a zoning violation under Ordinance 439's compliance chapter. The Director can issue an abatement order under Section 4.23 demanding correction, and the violation is separately a misdemeanor under Section 12.8, carrying up to a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail, with each day of continued violation counted on its own.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Stearns County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Stearns County rules

Compare Stearns County to another location·View the Minnesota zoning overlays & bonuses overview

Get notified when Density Bonus Law in Stearns County, MN changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.