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Overview of New Local Government MRCCA Zoning Regulations <br />Local MRCCA zoning regulations are administered as an overlay district. Within this overlay district, MRCCA zoning <br />regulations guide building and construction, vegetation management and removal, and land alteration. These <br />regulations also affect local decisions on variances and conditional use permits. Following is an explanation of how the <br />new zoning regulations in the 2017 MRCCA rules will affect some of the most common development activities. <br />New Terms <br />Familiarity with the following terms are helpful for understanding MRCCA zoning regulations. These terms are described <br />and mapped in city and township MRCCA plans (a chapter of the comprehensive plan) and summarized below: <br />Bluff. A natural feature with an average slope exceeding 18%. <br />Bluff impact zone. The bluff and land within 20 feet of the bluff. <br />Native plant communities. Plant communities of five acres or greater that meet the quality criteria established <br />by the Minnesota Biological Survey to qualify as a native plant community - identified in local government <br />MRCCA plans. <br />Natural drainage way. Rivers and streams and any other drainage ways identified by local governments. <br />Shore impact zone. 50% of the required structure setback from the river. <br />Significant existing vegetation stands. Largely intact and connected plant communities that contain a sufficient <br />representation of the original native plant community - identified in local government MRCCA plans. <br />Wetland. Transitional lands between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near <br />the surface or land covered by shallow water. <br /> <br />Building and Construction <br />Structure height and structure setbacks from the river and top of bluffs (the top of an 18% slope) vary for each of the six <br />MRCCA districts (See Table 1). These provisions protect scenic views and keep buildings and other development activity <br />away from sensitive shorelines and slopes that provide habitat and are prone to soil erosion and slope failure. Structure <br />height and setback standards will not change for most property owners. See the MRCCA Boundary and Districts web <br />page to find the district in which your parcel is located. <br />Table 1. Building and constructions standards for each of the six MRCCA districts. <br />Build & Construction Standards <br />Rural River <br />River Separated Urban Urban <br />Open Towns and <br />Neighborhood from River Mixed Core (CA- <br />Space Crossings <br />(CA-RN) (CA-SR) (CA-UM) UM) <br />(CA-ROS) (CA-RTC) <br />Maximum Structure HeightUnderlying Underlying <br />35’ 35’ 48’* 65’* <br />Zoning Zoning <br />Mississippi River Structure Setback Underlying <br />200’ 100’ 75’ n/a 50’ <br />Zoning <br />Bluff Structure Setback 100’ 40’ 40’ 40’ 40’ 40’ <br />*Greater height may be allowed with a Conditional Use Permit. <br />Expansion of Nonconforming Structures <br />Legal nonconforming structures were lawfully permitted when they were built. However, when zoning standards change <br />and these structures no longer conform to the new standards, they become legally nonconforming or “grandfathered.” <br />Nonconforming structures are common in the MRCCA. Minnesota Statute (MS §462.357, Subd. 1e) protects the rights of <br /> 01/13/2020 <br /> <br />