68.260. Vegetation Management

Saint Paul Legislative Code tit. VIII, ch. 68, art. II, div. 6

in effect

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.261 Purpose.

Sec. 68.261. - Purpose. The purpose of this division is to establish standards that sustain and enhance the biological and ecological functions of vegetation, preserve the natural character and topography of the MRCCA, and maintain stability of bluffs and steep slopes and ensure stability of other erosion-prone areas. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.262 Applicability.

Sec. 68.262. - Applicability. This section applies to shore impact zones, areas within fifty (50) feet of a wetland or natural drainage route, bluff impact zones, areas of native plant communities, and significant existing vegetative stands identified in the MRCCA plan. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.263 Activities allowed without a vegetation permit.

Sec. 68.263. - Activities allowed without a vegetation permit. (a) Maintenance of existing lawns, landscaping and gardens; (b) Removal of vegetation in emergency situations as determined by the city; (c) Right-of-way maintenance for public facilities meeting the standards section 68.253; (d) Agricultural and forestry activities meeting the standards of sections 68.238(a) and (c); (e) Selective vegetation removal, provided that vegetative cover remains consistent with the management purpose of the MRCCA District, including removal of vegetation that is dead, diseased, dying, or hazardous; vegetation to prevent the spread of diseases or insect pests; individual trees and shrubs; and invasive non-native species. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.264 Activities allowed with a vegetation permit.

Sec. 68.264. - Activities allowed with a vegetation permit. (a) Only the following intensive vegetation clearing activities are allowed with a vegetation permit: (1) Clearing of vegetation that is dead, diseased, dying, or hazardous; (2) Clearing to prevent the spread of diseases or insect pests; (3) Clearing to remove invasive non-native species. (4) Clearing to prepare for restoration and erosion control management activities consistent with a plan approved by the zoning administrator. (5) The minimum necessary for development that is allowed with a building permit or as an exemption under division 9. (b) General Performance Standards. The following standards must be met, in addition to a restoration plan under section 68.266, in order to approve a vegetation permit: (1) Development is sited to minimize removal of or disturbance to natural vegetation; (2) Soil, slope stability, and hydrologic conditions are suitable for the proposed work as determined by a professional engineer; (3) Clearing is the minimum necessary and designed to blend with the natural terrain and minimize visual impacts to public river corridor views; (4) Vegetation removal activities are conducted so as to expose the smallest practical area of soil to erosion for the least possible time; and (5) Any other condition determined necessary to achieve the purpose of this section. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.265 Prohibited activities.

Sec. 68.265. - Prohibited activities. All other intensive vegetation clearing is prohibited. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 68.266 Vegetation restoration plan.

Sec. 68.266. - Vegetation restoration plan. (a) Development of a vegetation restoration plan and reestablishment of natural vegetation is required for any vegetation removed with a permit under section 68.264(a), upon failure to comply with any provisions in this division, or as part of the planning process for subdivisions as provided in division 8. (b) Restoration Plan Performance Standards. The vegetation restoration plan must satisfy the application submittal requirements in section 68.226 and the following standards. (1) Vegetation must be restored in one (1) or more of the following restoration priority areas: a. Areas with soils showing signs of erosion, especially on or near the top and bottom of steep slopes and bluffs. b. Shoreline areas within twenty-five (25) feet of the water with no natural vegetation, degraded vegetation, or planted with turf grass. c. Areas on steep slopes and bluffs that are visible from the river with no natural vegetation, degraded vegetation, or planted with turf grass. d. Other approved priority opportunity area, including priorities identified in the MRCCA plan, if none of the above exist. (2) Include vegetation that provides suitable habitat and effective soil stability, runoff retention, and infiltration capability. Vegetation species, composition, density, and diversity must be guided by nearby patches of native plant communities and by Native Vegetation Establishment and Enhancement Guidelines. (3) Any highly erodible soils disturbed during removal and/or restoration must be stabilized with deep-rooted vegetation with a high stem density. (4) Vegetation removed must be restored with native vegetation to the greatest extent practicable. The area (square feet) of the restored vegetation should be similar to that removed to the greatest extent practicable. (5) For restoration of removed native plant communities, restored vegetation must also provide biological and ecological function equivalent to the removed native plant communities. The area (square feet) of the restored vegetation should be equivalent to that removed. (6) The plan must be prepared by a professional ecologist, arborist, landscape architect, or person with demonstrable experience and knowledge related to vegetation management. (7) Include a maintenance plan that includes management provisions for controlling invasive species and replacement of plant loss for three (3) years. (c) A certificate of compliance will be issued after the vegetation restoration plan requirements have been satisfied. (Ord. No. 25-72, § 1, 12-10-25)

Source: City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, City Charter, Legislative Code and Administrative Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/st._paul/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILECO_TITVIIIZOCO_CH68ZOCOLOMARICOOVDI_ARTII68.200.MRMIRICOCRAROVDI_DIV668.260.VEMAFetched: 11/1/2026