ITASCA COUNTY ORDINANCE

Section 5.9         Shoreland Alterations Regulated

Shoreland alterations of vegetation and topography shall be regulated and minimized to prevent erosion into public waters, fix nutrients, preserve shoreland aesthetics, preserve historic values including historic sites and archaeological sites, prevent bank slumping, and protect fish and wildlife habitat.   

5.9.1    Vegetation alterations.

5. Exemption. Vegetation alteration necessary for the construction of permitted structures and sewage treatment systems and the construction of roads and parking areas regulated by Section 5.9.3 are exempt from the vegetation alteration standards that follow.
6. Standards. Removal or alteration of vegetation shall be subject to the following standards:
   1. A shoreline buffer shall exist in the shore impact zone, consisting of trees, shrubs, and low ground cover of native plants and understory consistent with natural cover of shorelines in the area. Buffer depth from the OHWL shall be as in Table 8;

Table 8.  Shoreland Alteration Buffer Depths Required

2. Intensive vegetation clearing within the shore and bluff impact zones and on steep slopes is not allowed. Intensive vegetation clearing for forestland conversion to another use outside of the shore and bluff impact zones is allowable as Conditional Useif an erosion control and sedimentation plan is developed and approved by the Itasca County SWCD; and
3. Vegetation clearing and removal of native ground cover, plants, and leaf matter within the shore and bluff impact zones and on steep slopes shall not be allowed, except the following:
4. a. Limited clearing of trees and brush and cutting, pruning, and trimming of trees is allowed to provide a view to the water from the principal dwelling site and to accommodate the placement of stairways, landings, picnic areas, access paths, beach and watercraft access areas, and permitted water-oriented accessory structures or facilities shall be allowed. An access path shall not exceed a cleared width of 12 feet.  Only one shoreline recreation use area shall be allowed on each residential parcel and it shall not exceed 15 feet in depth by the width in Table 9.

Table 9.  Maximum Width of Shoreline Recreation Use on Residential Parcels

Itasca Cty Ordinance continued on next page

ITASCA COUNTY ORDINANCE (_continued)

1. Vegetation within the shore impact zone shall be maintained to screen structures with trees and shrubs so that the structures are at most 50 percent visible from public waters during summer, leaf-on conditions. The maximum view corridor shall be less than 50 feet or one-third of the parcel width, whichever is less;
2. Along rivers, existing shading of water surfaces is preserved; and
3. The above provisions are not applicable to the removal of trees, limbs, or branches that pose safety hazards.

5.9.2    Shoreland alterations and permits.

5. Separate permit not required. Alterations and excavations necessary for the construction of structures, sewage treatment systems, and driveways under validly issued Zoning Permits for these facilities do not require the issuance of a separate Shoreland Alteration Permit.  However, the shoreland alteration standards in Section 5.9.2 must be incorporated into the issuance of permits for construction of structures, sewage treatment system, and driveways.
6. View corridor. In shore impact zones and bluff impact zones, limited clearing is permitted for a view corridor with up to a maximum width opening of 50 feet.  Beyond the shore and bluff impact zones only limited clearing is allowed.  Within the structure setbacks, bluff impact zones, and on steep slopes, alterations of vegetation and soil movement shall be kept to a minimum and shall be consistent with the Field Office Technical Guide of the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
7. Activities requiring a permit. A Shoreland Alteration Permit shall be required for the following activities: 
   1. The movement of more than 10 cubic yards of material on steep slopes or within shore or bluff impact zones;
   2. The movement of more than 50 cubic yards of material outside of steep slopes and shore and bluff impact zones; and
   3. Within the shore and bluff impact zones, a Shoreland Alteration Permit shall also be required for all of the following and shall be done in accordance with listed restrictions:
      1. Lake access roads – constructed to avoid a straight sight line and a maximum width of 12 feet.
      2. Ice ridge removal – maximum width at the bottom of the opening shall be 12 feet and the maximum width at the top of the opening shall be 25 feet.
      3. Beach sand blankets – maximum size of 30 feet along the shoreline by 15 feet back from the OHWL and shall be located within the view corridor. The sand must be clean with no organic materials.  The natural slope must be less than five percent and the sand blanket application must be constructed in a way that will prevent erosion.
      4. Landscaping retaining walls – maximum height of two feet except as determined by the Zoning Official but not to exceed four feet. To the extent possible, a landscaping retaining wall should be designed to display natural aesthetics.  Retaining walls for the purpose of shore protection are allowed only if a permit is obtained from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR).
      5. Riprap – allowed for erosion control. Additional permit(s) may also be required from the MnDNR.  To the extent possible, riprap should be designed to display natural aesthetics.

Itasca County Shoreland Rules, important because we all live on the water!

In Doubt or Questions, call Itasca County Environmental Services,  218-327-2857.