Do I need a permit?

The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) recognizes that control and determination of appropriate land use is the responsibility of the Local Governmental Units (LGU). The municipal permit allows municipalities to issue permits and manage actions as the primary permitting authority, provided they have adopted official controls necessary to bring local water management into conformance with the LMRWD Plan.

It is the LGU’s responsibility to adopt official controls and apply for a municipal permit from the LMRWD. Municipal Permits are valid for 5 years from approval date.

• LMRWD Municipal Permit Application
• LMRWD Municipal Permits have been approved for:
  • City of Eagan
  • City of Mendota Heights
  • City of Bloomington (except for projects located in the floodplain)
  • City of Burnsville (except for projects located in the floodplain)
  • City of Carver (except for projects located in the floodplain)
  • City of Shakopee (except for projects located in the floodplain)

Projects in all other cities must apply for an LMRWD individual permit.

How to Get a Permit?

1. Complete the Application

Municipal permit applicants are strongly advised to contact the LMRWD early in the process to allow for a nonbinding, informal review of the official controls.

When an applicant is ready to submit a municipal permit application, they can do so through the Online Application Form. Applicants must submit complete permit applications at least 60 calendar days prior to regularly scheduled Board meetings in order to be considered. Board meetings are typically held the third Wednesday of every month.

2. Receive Acknowledgment 

This guidance is not intended to replace reading and understanding the LMRWD Rules. For efficiency, District Policy requires that a permit application contain all necessary elements before the review process begins. An incomplete application results in additional correspondence and delays in the application review. In addition to the completed application, LGUs must submit the locations (page numbers, sections) within their local water management plan, ordinance(s), capital improvement program and/or regulatory framework that supports compliance with the applicable rules. These documents can be submitted electronically along with the application.

3. Application Under Review

Once an application is submitted, the District will notify the applicant within 15 business days to state if their application is complete or not. Once an application is deemed complete, the District has 60 days to take action, or in other words, bring the application to the Board of Managers for a vote.

4. Application Status Notification

You will be notified about the status of your permit application and next steps. At this stage, staff will reach out with concerns or send the permit to the Board for review and approval. Once an application is deemed complete, the District has 60 days to take action, or in other words, bring the application to the Board of Managers for a vote.

5. Board Meeting Results

If a municipal permit is approved by the Board of Managers, the District will notify the applicant and issue the permit, which is valid for 5 years.

If a municipal permit is conditionally approved by the Board of Managers, the District will notify the applicant and request the remaining conditional approval items before issuing the permit.

​​​​​What do I need for a Permit?

You will need to prepare an individual permit application, available as both a PDF and web-based form. There is a permit fee required to accommodate the project review.