There are a large number of projects that might require a permit that you should be aware of. For projects requiring board approval, please review the Rule A: Procedural Requirements Fact Sheet and downloadable permit applications. Otherwise, select from the list of various project types below for more information:
- Erosion Control
- Floodplain Alteration
- Wetland Protection
- Dredging
- Shoreline & Streambank Improvement
- Stream & Lake Crossings
- Stormwater Management
Important Note: Grading and excavating must not begin until a permit has been issued and required erosion control measures are in place. 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 of which permit or if your project requires any of the above type of permit, please contact us.
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.
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.
Wetland Protection
Is there a wetland located within your property boundaries? If your project includes land disturbing activities (see also Rule B: Erosion Control permit conditions) on property including a wetland, you need a Wetland Protection (Rule D) permit:
- All projects associated with the draining, filling, excavation, or alteration of a wetland
See the Rule D: Wetland Protection complete text and accompanying information about wetland types, and the Wetland Conservation Act.
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 provisons of the Lake Minnetonka Dredging Joint Policy Statement
See the Rule E: Dredging complete text for further details and the complete list of rules as others often apply to this type of project.
Shoreline and Streambank improvement
Do you have a project to riprap or bioengineer or landscape your eroding shoreline? Or Create a Sandblanket beach on your shoreline? Or build 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 & Stormbank Improvement complete text.
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 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.
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 and complete text of Rule B.
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