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Environmental Services

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1. Do I need to call Gopher State One Call?

It is Nicollet County Property Services policy to require all persons engaged in excavation activities, who have requested assistance of staff (e.g. soil borings), to contact Gopher State One Call two working days prior to the onsite meeting. The County requires visual marking of all underground facilities within 100’ of the area of activity prior to staff arrival.
Furthermore, it is a Minnesota state law that before you start any project that requires digging, you must contact Gopher State One Call at 811 or 1-800-252-1166.

2. When do I need a permit?

Nicollet County's zoning ordinance states a zoning permit shall be required of all persons prior to erection, structural alteration, or relocation of permanent or portable structures or signs. That includes sheds, decks, fences, or anything else that is going to be constructed on or attached to the ground. A permit is not required for new windows, new doors, residing, or reshingling. For full details see section 507.1 of the Zoning Ordinance (PDF) or call our office at 507-934-7070.

3. Is there a way to see the Zoning Ordinance?

You may download a copy of our Zoning Ordinance (PDF) or you may request a copy by mail for $50.

4. Is the lot I want to buy, split, and/or sell okay to build on?

Nicollet County has density standards for new housing in the rural zoning districts. Please call our office at 507-934-7072 or come in to find out how the standards apply to your specific land. Staff will be happy to assist you in learning the requirements for your project.

5. What is WECS?

WECS is an acronym for Wind Energy Conversion Systems.

6. Where are the recycling drop off sites located?

• Klossner at the Nicollet County Highway Shop, Junction County Road 5 and TH 15
• Nicollet at the County Public Works Shop
• Norseland (Lake Prairie) at the Co-Op
• St. Peter at the County Public Works Shop on Sunrise Drive

7. Where is the Household Hazardous Waste Facility and Product Reuse Center and when is it open?

The Household Hazardous Waste Facility and Product Reuse Center is located at 651 Summit Avenue in Mankato.

The facility is open April through October on Tuesday from Noon to 6 p.m. and on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

8. Is there any funding assistance to upgrade a septic system?

We currently have loan money available for residents to upgrade their existing systems. You can call 507-934-7076 to get more information on this.

9. What does the Public Works Department have to do with my request for a zoning permit?

The Nicollet County Property Services division is responsible for permitting rural land use related activities. The Nicollet County Public Works department is responsible for maintenance of 306 miles of roads and Right-of-Way (R/W). Generally, R/W is reserved for maintenance purposes or expansion of existing services. At times, proposed land use activities and road layout may conflict, and could require action by both entities. When this occurs, staff will forward the proposed request to the Assistant Public Works Director/County Engineer and the Public Works Director for review of the proposed location prior to the issuance of the permit

10. Do I have to have a mound [septic system]?

The type of septic system needed is based on the conditions found at each individual site. Usually, soils are the most crucial factor. Your licensed septic system designer will design the appropriate system for your lot based on the state code.

11. When do I need to get my septic system inspected?

By state law, if the system was built less than 5 years ago, the initial inspection is still valid. Any subsequent inspection or inspection of an existing system is valid for 3 years.

• A sale or transfer of property requires your septic system be inspected by a state licensed inspector prior to the sale.
• An increase in the number of bedrooms in your home requires an inspection.
• Any permit issued for an addition to your house or in our shoreland district requires an inspection.

12. If my system needs to be replaced, how long do I have to get that done?

By state law, any system that is considered an imminent public health threat must be upgraded in 10 months. Any other failing system must be upgraded in 2 years if in Shoreland District, or otherwise up to 5 years, provided it does not become an imminent public health threat.

13. Why get a feedlot permit?

A feedlot permit is a certified statement that your operation is in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

14. What can I do about odor from a feedlot I live by?

Nicollet County is an agricultural area, so it is normal to have some odor, dust, noise, and other situations characteristic of agricultural practices. If you live in a rural home near a feedlot, you can expect to have an annoying level of odor for an average of 50 hours per month.

15. Do I need a feedlot permit?

A feedlot permit is required if you have 10 or more animal units on your site at any one time. That would be equal to:

• 10 slaughter steers
• 14 feeder cattle
• 33 finishing hogs

Call Environmental Services at 507-934-7070 if you’re for help figuring animal units.

16. What information will I need to get a feedlot permit?

It all starts with a site inspection. After that you will need designs for any manure holding structures you plan to build, nutrient management plans for the manure you will be generating, a site plan showing what you will be building and various other elements. It is best to call our office at 507-934-7073 and get details based on your project.

17. Where can I build a feedlot in the county?

Nicollet County is zoned primarily agricultural. However, there are setbacks from other land uses for feedlots based on the potential odor from the feedlot.

18. What is the process to establish a feedlot in Nicollet County?

Nicollet County requires a conditional use permit for any feedlot over 300 animal units. That means that there will be a public hearing and site inspection prior to the issuance of your feedlot and zoning permit. Nicollet County is a “delegated county” under the state Feedlot Program. This means that our office can issue permits for your feedlot unless you are planning to build one that is large enough to need a NPDES Permit.

19. Can I drain a wet area on my land?

There are wetland laws which often make it illegal to disturb a wetland. Please call our office at 507-934-7072 and a wetland expert will assist you in answering this. There are various agencies involved in the regulations in this area and we can help you with the needed permits and information.

20. How do I know if a wet area is a wetland?

A qualified individual is needed to identify a wetland. There are 8 various types of wetlands, which may appear wet or not. Please contact NRCS, SWCD, or our office at 507-934-7072 for assistance.

21. What is the gravel tax?

In June 2015, the Nicollet County Board approved the imposition of the Aggregate Material Removal; Production Tax (also known as the Gravel Tax). The tax imposes a production tax on the removal of aggregate from pits, quarries, or deposits located within the county. The proceeds of the tax are to assist the county, as well as cities, and townships in the county with maintenance costs of roads, highways, and bridges; as well as reclamation, conservation or environmental needs. The tax went into effect January 1, 2016. Reporting and remittance forms are available online.