There are a large variety of projects that require a MCWD permit depending on the size, location and nature of the work. Below is a list of the types of projects that require a MCWD permit and the District Rules associated with those projects:

Rule B: Erosion Control

Building a house? Large addition? Driveway? Landscaping? Disturbing the land? Creating a large stockpile of soil? If your project meets either of the following conditions, you need an Erosion Control (Rule B) permit:

• Grading of 5,000 square feet or more.

• Stockpiling or excavation of more than 50 cubic yards of material or more.

See the Rule B: Complete Text.

Rule C: Floodplain Alteration

Are you planning a project near a lake, stream, river or wetland? If your project includes activity within the 100 year floodplain, you need a Floodplain Alteration (Rule C) permit:

• Any activity that proposes to place fill of any type in a 100 year floodplain associated with a lake, river, stream, wetland, or any other water basin.

See the Rule C: Floodplain Alteration Complete Text.

Rule D: Wetland Protection

Is there a wetland located within your property boundaries? If your project involves land disturbing activities (see also Rule B: Erosion Control permit conditions) on property including a wetland, you may need a Wetland Protection (Rule D) permit:

• All projects associated with the draining, filling, excavation, or alteration of a wetland.
• Work in wetlands may also require a Wetland Conservation Act permit issued through MCWD or other local municipality.

See the Rule D: Wetland Protection Complete Text, as well as the Wetland Conservation Act.

Rule E: Dredging

You need a Dredging (Rule E) permit for:

• All dredging in the beds, banks, or shores of any protected water or wetland.
• All dredging permit applications for Lake Minnetonka or Lake Minnetonka Tributaries must comply with the provisions of the Lake Minnetonka Dredging Joint Policy Statement.

See the Rule E: Dredging Complete Text.

Rule F: Shoreline and Streambank Improvement

Do you have a project to riprap, bioengineer or landscape your eroding shoreline? Installing a Sandblanket beach on your shoreline? Building a retaining wall or boat dock? These are examples of projects requiring a Shoreline and Streambank Improvement (Rule F) permit for:

• All shoreline and streambank improvements, including but not limited to rip rap, retaining walls, sheet piling, and boat ramps.
• All sandblanket projects including family beaches.

See the Rule F: Shoreline & Streambank Improvement Complete Text.

Rule G: Stream and Lake Crossings

Is there a stream crossing in your planned project area? Does your project include placing or replacing a culvert or bridge? Your project would then require a Stream and Lake Crossings (Rule G) permit for:

• Placement of roads, highways, or utilities in the bed of a protected water or wetland.
• Construction of a bridge or related crossing of a water, waterway or wetland.
• Placement of a culvert or similar structure in the bed or channel of a protected water or wetland.

See the Rule G: Stream & Lake Crossings Complete Text.

Rule N: Stormwater Management

Are you preparing a project to construct a commercial building? Parking lot? Drainage way alteration? These are examples of projects requiring a Stormwater Management (Rule N) permit for:

• All residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, or public land development projects that will increase the area of impervious surface or change land contours to alter the drainage ways, increase peak runoff rates, or affect the quality of stormwater flows.
• Single family homes, additions of garages, decks, etc. are exempt from this rule but may require a permit under one of the other rules.

See the Rule N: Stormwater Management Complete Text.

Important Note: Working without a permit where required is in violation of MCWD Rules and is a misdemeanor subject to penalty by law. If you are unsure if your project requires a permit for any of the above mentioned rules, please contact the MCWD permitting / regulatory department.

Permits from Other Agencies

A project may also require a permit from other entities such as the MN Pollution Control Agency, Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers, or other Local Municipality. Click on the link to related agencies for more information. OBTAIN ALL REQUIRED AUTHORIZATIONS FROM THE APPLICABLE AGENCIES BEFORE A PROJECT BEGINS.

 

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