Model
  Ordinances

Stormwater

Subdivision

Shoreland

Erosion &
sediment
control

NEMO

Resources

Regional Stormwater Protection Team Ordinances here

Model Ordinances

The underlying principle
for minimizing stormwater impacts is to maintain or restore the area's original hydrologic connections.

Ordinances regulate the range of land uses, including a variety of residential, commercial, and water dependent uses that may or may not be consistent with the community's water quality needs or goals. This section provides examples of stormwater ordinances and related tools to help citizens and municipal officials address their stormwater issues. No single, ideal set of rules can be applied to all communities.

aerial photo drawing

Legal Basis for Land Use Regulation

Cities and Townships – Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462
Counties – Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 394

Counties, cities, and townships, through MN statute, have the right and responsibility to plan, put ordinances in place, and enforce them.

Although these techniques are most effective in terms of pollution and cost if implemented at the site planning and design stage, they are also effective at any stage of construction or home improvement and repair.

They are applicable to older communities facing future planning or new development issues, and young, rapidly urbanizing communities – all trying to cost effectively manage stormwater and potential water pollution and other natural resource impacts. With careful adaptation of these models and the underlying principles, and diligent enforcement, growing cities and townships should be able to prevent serious stormwater runoff issues.

Northland NEMO Model Ordinances
prepared for MPCA using the City of Plymouth, MN
in the west metro area of Minneapolis - 2004

Implementing the
MODEL STORMWATER ORDINANCE
To meet your community’s water quality goals

2004 Produced for
Northland Nonpoint Education for
Municipal Officials (NEMO) Program

 Download Here 

Incorporating
MODEL SUBDIVISION LANGUAGE
To meet your community' water quality goals

2004 Produced for
Northland Non-point Education for
Municipal Officials (NEMO) Program
Ordinance Language addressing:
Street design and impervious surface
Lot layout
Green infrastructure

subdivision planning

 
A community's subdivision ordinance includes provisions outlining when and how the subdividing of lots is allowed. The subdivision ordinance identifies the threshold size where the subdivision regulations are applicable, the information required to be compiled by the applicant for review by the local government, site plan review procedures, and other requirements.

 Download Here 

Implementing the DNR SAMPLE
SHORELAND MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE
To meet your community’s water quality goals

2004 Produced for
Northland Non-point Education for
Municipal Officials (NEMO) Program

shoreland development
How communities regulate shorelands has a tremendous effect on water quality of lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. In Minnesota land use regulation of all shorelands (with the exception of the North Shore of Lake Superior) must meet the minimum standards of Department of Natural Resources rules (“Management of Shoreland Areas,” Minnesota Regulations Parts 6120.2500 - 6120.3900). The DNR created a model ordinance that meets those rules, and is the basis for nearly all local governmental shoreland regulation in the State.

 Download Here 

Implementing the
MODEL EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL ORDINANCE
To meet your community’s water quality goals

Produced for
Northland Nonpoint Education for
Municipal Officials (NEMO) Program

construction erosion

 Download Here 

Other Model Ordinance Websites:

Stormwater Manager's Resource Center The Stormwater Manager's Resource Center is designed for stormwater practitioners, local government officials and others needing technical assistance on stormwater management issues. Created and maintained by the Center for Watershed Protection. Contains many innovative types of ordinances covering for many situations for protecting water quality and habitat.

Midway Township Model Illicit Discharge and Connection Ordinance (2012, 9.4 MB PDF)


Rice Creek Watershed District

Rice Creek Watershed District, Anoka County, MN
The entire watershed district's rules can be found here.

Dane County, WIDane County, WI
Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Ordinance became effective in 2002. The website lists tools to help meet ordinance requirements.