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Single Residence Property Permitting

Frequently Asked Questions: Shoreline Grading Permits

Please read prior to completing the application below.

Do I need a permit from the watershed district for my shoreline project?

Our permitting process largely depends on the location of your project and its relation to the 100-year flood level.

Why is the 100-year flood mark important? 

The 100-year flood mark is the projected water level of your lake or wetland during a 100-year storm. Shoreland below this elevation is considered in the floodplain. Fill added to the floodplain can eventually contribute to a loss of flood storage and higher water levels, particularly during large rainfall events

How can I determine where the 100-year flood level lies on my property?

If you have hired a contractor for grading work they can utilize the site survey or grading plan for the project to determine where the 100-year marker is located.  These 100-year elevations vary by water body. You can contact RWMWD at office@rwmwd.org and we will assist you

My project will reach below the 100- year flood mark. What’s next?

You will need a permit from the watershed district to proceed with your grading work.  Complete and submit the form at the bottom of this page and an RWMWD staff member will contact you within 15 business days.

My project is above the 100-year flood mark. Do I need a permit?

Watershed staff is working with our 12 member cities to eliminate permitting redundancy for residents. If your project does not involve work in the floodplain and is less than 1,000 square feet of soil disturbance, you do not need a watershed permit. If your project does not involve work in the floodplain but is more than 1,000 square feet, the watershed may defer permitting to the city.

Is the permit requirement new? Is it just required for my area?

The grading permit rules have been in place since 2006 and apply to all properties in the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District. Other watershed districts and watershed management organizations also regulate floodplain alterations.

Why are permits required for these projects? What is the role of RWMWD in this process? 

Among other things, the watershed regulates flood control and permitting to ensure these floodplain projects are completed in a way that does not increase the risk of flooding for property adjacent to water bodies.

Permit Application

Resident Grading Permit Application

  • Applicant Information

    The applicant must be the current property landowner.
  • Project Representative Contact (if any)

  • Project

  • $0.00
    A check for the application fee must be submitted and paid in full prior to issuance of a District permit.
  • Max. file size: 64 MB.
    Attach project plan, narrative (including items such as the purpose of the project, scope of work, estimated square footage of soil disturbance, and elevation(s) of proposed activity/fill, amount of proposed fill). Also, upload any other documents such as a survey or signed grading plan, if available.
  • More than one parcel: Contact RWMWD

    Please contact RWMWD at office@rwmwd.org before proceeding with your permit application. Other permitting rules apply to projects with more than one parcel.
  • Greater than 1,000 feet: Contact RWMWD

    Please contact RWMWD at office@rwmwd.org before proceeding with your permit application. Other permitting rules apply to projects over 1,000 square feet.
  • Terms and Conditions

    The undersigned hereby acknowledges by signing this Permit Application, the undersigned, its agents, assigns and/or representatives (hereinafter "Permittee") shall abide by all the standard conditions and special terms and conditions of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Permit.

    Any work which violates the terms of the permit may result in the Watershed District issuing a Stop Work Order which shall immediately cause the work on the project relating to the permit to cease and desist.

    All work on the project shall cease until the permit conditions are met and approved by the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District staff.

    In the event Permittee contests the Stop Work Order issued by the Watershed District, Permittee shall follow the Permit Violation Grievance Procedure, a copy of which is available at the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District office.

    Any attorneys' fees, costs or other expenses incurred on behalf of the Watershed District in enforcing the terms of the permit shall be the sole expense of the undersigned. Costs shall be payable from the Permittee's escrow account. If said fees exceed the escrow amount, the Permittee shall have ten (10) days from the date of the receipt of the invoice from the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District to pay for the costs incurred in enforcing the permit, by which to pay the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District for said costs.

    The undersigned applicant hereby agrees to be bound by the terms of the final permit, standard conditions and special conditions as may be required by the Watershed District Board for approval of the permit. The undersigned further acknowledges that it has the authority to bind the permit holder, the owner of the property and/or any entity performing work on the property pursuant to the terms of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District permit, and hereby shall be responsible for complying with the terms of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District permit.

  • Please type your full name.

Connect

  • 2665 Noel Drive
  • Little Canada, MN 55117
  • P: 651-792-7950
  • E: office@rwmwd.org

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