Practical resources as a permanent homeowner in St. Louis County, Minnesota.

Includes links to county and state regulations and resources associated with permitting, zoning, septic, wells, shoreline regulations, and rural stewardship.

Recommended:

• Wild Fire Tracking App: Watch Duty
• NOAA Heat Index app: HEAT Safety Tool
• St Louis County Evacuation Map

• Planning & Zoning Department (includes zoning ordinance & permit info): https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/planning-zoning
• Impervious surfaces (e.g. rooftops, decks, sidewalks, patios, swimming pools, driveways) must be less than 25% of the lot.
• Max building height is 25 ft.
• The shoreland rules refer to bluffs as any slope draining towards a water body, where the grade between the toe of the bluff and a point at least 25 feet above the OHWL averages at least 30 percent, except for an area with an average slope of less than 18 percent over a distance of at least 50 feet.
• The use of stairways, lifts and landings is preferred when planning for access up and down bluffs and steep slopes to shore areas. Stairways and lifts must be no wider than four feet on residential lots and placed in the most visually inconspicuous portions of the lot. Landings for stairways and lifts on residential lots should not exceed 32 square feet. Canopies or roofs are not allowed on these structures.

• Septic Info & Permits: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/planning-zoning
• Septic Systems - Tools and Fact Sheets: https://septic.umn.edu/tools-fact-sheets-owners
• Septic System Do and Don't Guide: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-wwists6-14.pdf
• Healthy Septic Systems: https://www.cityoflacrescent-mn.gov/wp-content/uploads/Healthy-Septic-Systems.pdf
• Well Water Program (MN Dept. of Health): https://www.health.state.mn.us/water/wells
• Well Testing Guide: https://www.health.state.mn.us/water/wells
• MN County Well Index Map Viewer (Well Records): https://apps.health.state.mn.us/mndata/cwi

• MPCA Water Programs (including septic): https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water
• UMN Extension (search “shoreland”): https://extension.umn.edu/
• Home Water Softening: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/factsheet/softening.html

• DNR Shoreland Propery Owner Guide: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/shoreland/property-owners.html
• DNR Buffer Law and Resources: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/buffers/index.html
• DNR North St. Louis County: https://www.nslswcd.org/
• These setbacks apply to dwellings and most structures.
• The setback is measured horizontally from the Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL) inland to the nearest point of a structure or building.
• DNR Basin Shoreland Classifications: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/shoreland/basins_shoreland_classifications.pdf
  • General Development Lakes: 75 feet from OHWL
  • Recreational Development Lakes: 100 feet from OHWL
  • Natural Environment Lakes: 150 feet from OHWL
• Shore Impact Zone (SIZ) is the first half of the structure setback distance from the OHWL.
• Selective removal of dead or hazardous vegetation (e.g., for fire safety) is allowed.
• General mowing, grading, or vegetation clearing is not permitted without review.
• Maintaining natural vegetation along the shoreline helps stabilize soil, filter runoff, and preserves the natural appearance of the shore.
• Erosion-resistant native groundcovers may be planted if no fertilizers or herbicides are used.
• Natural Shorelines https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakescaping/maintaining-and-restoring-natural-shorelines.html
• Aquatic Plant Regulations: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/shorelandmgmt/apg/regulations.html
• Aquatic Plant Stewardship: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/shorelandmgmt/apg/stewardship.html

• Shoreline Access Path:

  • A single 4-foot-wide path is allowed through the Shore Impact Zone (SIZ) to provide reasonable access to the water (e.g., dock, launch).
  • Path must minimize erosion and vegetation removal, and should meander to avoid channeling runoff directly into the lake.
  • No permit is required for a natural path if it meets these guidelines.

• Water-Oriented Accessory Structures (WOAS):

  • May be permitted near the shoreline (e.g., fish house, boathouse, sauna, or small storage shed).
  • Limited to 250 square feet maximum and one structure per lot.
  • Must be setback at least 10 feet from the OHWL (Ordinary High Water Level).
  • Cannot be used as a dwelling or contain plumbing.
  • May require a land use permit depending on design and placement.
  • Source: Shoreland Guide (MN DNR).

• Docks & Boat Lifts:

  • No permit required for seasonal docks or lifts if:
    • They are no wider than 8 feet
    • Do not obstruct navigation
    • Are not permanently affixed (i.e., removed seasonally)
  • Additional requirements may apply for platforms, canopy frames, or pilings
  • Source: Docks and Access Info (MN DNR)

• Flood Vents (Required in flood hazard areas):

  • Must prevent structural damage by allowing water flow
  • Openings must be installed below base flood elevation
  • Each enclosed area must have a minimum of 1 sq. inch vent per 1 sq. foot of enclosed space
  • Vents must be on at least two sides of the structure
  • The bottom of each opening must be not more than 1 foot above the higher of the final interior grade (or floor) and the finished exterior grade immediately under each opening.
  • Source: Contact St. Louis County Planning & Zoning

• FEMA Flood Opening Requirements:

  • https://www.fema.gov/floodplain-management/flood-openings

• FEMA Flood Map Center: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
• St. Louis County Floodplain Info: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/planning-zoning
• Land Explorer (GIS + contour + parcel data): https://gis.stlouiscountymn.gov/landexplorer/
• Addressing & Fire Numbers (contact Planning & Zoning): https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/planning-zoning

• MN Homestead Eligibility: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/homestead
• St. Louis County Assessor: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/assessor

• Lake Country Power (Electric Cooperative): https://www.lakecountrypower.coop
• Solid Waste & Recycling (general page): https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/environmental-services
• Transfer Stations & Drop-Off Info: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/environmental-services
• Transfer Stations Locations & Hours
• Waste Management (Private Service): https://www.wm.com
• USPS Locator / Address Management: https://tools.usps.com/go/POLocatorAction

• Trailer Registration: https://drive.mn.gov
• Hunting Regulations: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/index.html
• Fishing Regulations: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/index.html
• Boating Rules & Safety: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/boating/index.html
• OHV/ATV Rules, Trails & Safety: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/index.html
• Ice Fishing/Houses Shelter Regulations: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/icefishing/shelter.html
• Snowmobiling: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snowmobiling/index.html
• Cross-Country Skiing: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/skiing/xcountry/index.html
• Trespassing: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/97B.001
  • Signs must be posted every 500 ft and at entry points to be legally enforceable
• Mesabi Trail (Biking & Pass Info): https://www.mesabitrail.com
• Hiking & Backpacking (including BWCA entry): https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/superior/recreation/hiking
• BWCA permits and maps: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233396
• Birding & Wildlife Viewing Sax-Zim Bog: https://saxzim.org
• Minnesota State Trail Maps: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/index.html

• Ely, MN (City Website): https://www.ely.mn.us
• Tower, MN (City Website): https://www.cityoftowermn.com
• Lake Vermilion–Soudan Underground Mine State Park: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00267#homepage
• Eagles Nest Lake Website: https://www.eaglesnestmn.com/
• Firewise (MN DNR Overview): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/index.html
• Living with Fire (Homeowner Assessment Tool): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/livingwithfire.html
• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html
• Citizen Lake Monitoring Program (CLMP): https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/citizen-water-monitoring
• Minnesota Water Stewards Program: https://minnesotawaterstewards.org
• St. Louis County SWCD (Volunteering & Watershed Protection): https://www.stlouisswcd.org

• Confirm zoning and permitted uses: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/planning-and-zoning
• Apply for land use or septic permits as required
• Coordinate with septic designer/installer and well contractor
• Apply for driveway access and fire number (via county planning)
• Review FEMA and county floodplain maps: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
• Use Land Explorer to check elevation and lot dimensions: https://gis.stlouiscountymn.gov/landexplorer/
• Contact utility provider for electrical setup: https://lakecountrypower.coop/

• File Homestead Application: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/homestead
• Review local recycling guidelines: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/environmental-services
• Schedule septic system inspection (every 3 years recommended)
• Test well water annually via local lab or https://www.health.state.mn.us/water/wells

• Join township or lake association:
  https://www.eaglesnesttownship.com/
  https://www.eaglesnestmn.com/
• Post signs as needed: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/97B.001
• Forest health: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/treecare/forest_health/index.html
• Volunteer water monitoring: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/get-engaged/volunteer-water-monitoring
• Volunteer lake level monitoring: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/waterlevels/lakes/volunteering.html
• Other DNR Volunteer opportunities: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/opps/index.html
• DNR My Impact Page: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicEnterprise/2057f555-daa6-474b-9a88-df1a6f923096

This document is a personal reference. It is intended for informational use and is not a substitute for consultation with county planning staff, licensed contractors, or legal advisors.