Zoning

Goodhue County Zoning & Subdivision Control Ordinances

Access the following zoning ordinance documents:

The ordinances promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the people of Goodhue County; protect agricultural land from urban sprawl; and provide a basis for the orderly development of land resources in Goodhue County. These ordinances require the following:

  • Building permits
  • Conditional use permits
  • Plat development
  • Variance requests
  • Zoning district controls

Floodplain and ShoreLAND Ordinances

These ordinances control development activities in floodplain and shoreland areas. The controls function with the Zoning Ordinance to protect the county's water resources and the individuals constructing in these areas. Shoreland regulations are found in Article 31 of the Zoning Ordinance. Floodplain District regulations are in Article 32. 

Minnesota State Weed & Seed Laws

As the county Agricultural Inspector, the Zoning Administrator's duties include the control and eradication of noxious weeds, inspection and sampling of agricultural seeds, inspection of crop sprayers, assist in the testing and licensing of custom spray applicators, and the monitoring of restricted pesticide uses and sales within Goodhue County.

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment consists of 6 members. Of those, 5 members are chosen by Commissioner District, and the 6th member is a representative from the Planning Advisory Committee. No county commissioner is appointed to this board. This board has the authority to do the following:

  • Order the issuance of variances
  • Hear and decide appeals from and review any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by any administrative official charged with enforcing any ordinance adopted pursuant to the provision of sections to MS 394.21 to MS 394-37
  • Order the issuance of permits for buildings in areas designated for future public use on an official map and perform such other duties as required by the official controls.

Decisions from the Board of Adjustment can be appealed through District Court action.

Planning Advisory Commission

The Planning Advisory Commission consists of 9 members, 1 of which is a County Commissioner. Other members are chosen by Commissioner District, with 4 of the members residing outside the corporate limits of cities. The Planning Advisory Committee recommends changes to planning and zoning official controls such as the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Ordinance. They conduct public hearings for Conditional Use Permits, zoning change requests, and platting requests within the townships. The recommendations get forwarded to the County Board for final decisions.