Emergency Management was known as Civil Defense until 1974 when congress enacted the Disaster Relif Act (PL 93-288).  That is the time when there was a shift from enemy attack mentality, to natural disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.  That same year gave birth to the Department of Emergency Management for the state and FEMA for the federal government. 

Nicollet County has density standards for new housing in the rural zoning districts.  Pease call the office 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.

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.

1. A sale or transfer of property requires your septic system be inspected by a state licensed inspector prior to the sale. 
2. A bedroom addition also requires acompliance inspection. 
3. Any permit issued in shoreland district requires an inspection.

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.

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

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 fifty hours per month.

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 33 finishing hogs or 10 slaughter steers or 14 feeder cattle, etc… Call Environmental Services if you’re for help figuring animal units.

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 and get details based on your project.

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

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 an NPDES Permit.

There are wetland laws which often make it illegal to disturb a wetland.  Please call our office 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.

A qualified individual is needed to identify a wetland. There are eight various types of wetlands, which may appear as a wet spot or not. Please contact NRCS, SWCD, or our office for assistance.

You may come into the office and search the records which are public information.

Owner's Duplicate Torrens certificates were no longer produced after January 2000.  We can provide a copy of your Original Torrens Certificate. 

Provide your legal description and we can generate a copy for you.