Vegetation management.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 535.1690
in effect535.1690. - Vegetation management.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to:
(1) Shore impact zones;
(2) Areas within fifty (50) feet of a wetland or natural drainage route;
(3) Bluff impact zones;
(4) Areas of native plant communities; and
(5) Significant existing vegetative stands identified in the MRCCA Plan.
(b) Activities allowed without a vegetation permit.
(1) Maintenance of existing lawns, landscaping and gardens;
(2) Removal of vegetation in emergency situations as determined by the city;
(3) Right-of-way maintenance for public facilities meeting the standards section 535.1670(b);
(4) Agricultural activities meeting the standards of section 535.1640(a)(2);
(5) Selective vegetation removal, provided that vegetative cover remains consistent with the management purpose of the MR Overlay District, including removal of:
a. Vegetation that is dead, diseased and or infested, dying, or hazardous;
b. To prevent the spread of diseases or insect pests;
c. Individual trees and shrubs; and
d. Invasive non-native species.
(c) Activities allowed with a vegetation permit.
(1) Only the following intensive vegetation clearing activities are allowed with a vegetation permit:
a. Clearing of vegetation that is dead, diseased and or infested, dying, or hazardous.
b. Clearing to prevent the spread of diseases or insect pests.
c. Clearing to remove invasive non-native species.
d. Clearing to prepare for restoration and erosion control management activities consistent with a plan approved by the City or Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
e. The minimum necessary for development that is allowed with a building permit or as an exemption under section 535.1720.
(2) General performance standards. The following standards must be met, in addition to a restoration plan under section 535.1690(e), in order to approve a vegetation permit:
a. Development is sited to minimize removal of or disturbance to natural vegetation;
b. Soil, slope stability, and hydrologic conditions are suitable for the proposed work as determined by a professional engineer;
c. Clearing is the minimum necessary and designed to blend with the natural terrain and minimize visual impacts to public river corridor views;
d. Any disturbance of highly erodible soils is replanted with deep-rooted vegetation with a high stem density;
e. Vegetation removal activities are conducted so as to expose the smallest practical area of soil to erosion for the least possible time and to minimize disturbance during bird migration and nesting seasons; and
f. Any other condition determined necessary to achieve the purpose of this section.
(d) Prohibited activities. All other intensive vegetation clearing is prohibited.
(e) Vegetation restoration plan.
(1) Development of a vegetation restoration plan and reestablishment of natural vegetation is required:
a. For any vegetation removal requiring a permit as identified in section 535.1690(c);
b. Upon failure to comply with any provisions in this section; or
c. As part of the planning process for subdivisions as provided in section 535.1710.
(2) Restoration plan performance standards. The vegetation restoration plan must satisfy the application submittal requirements in section 535.1620(e), and the following:
a. Vegetation must be restored in one (1) or more of the following restoration priority areas:
1. Areas with soils showing signs of erosion, especially on or near the top and bottom of steep slopes and bluffs;
2. Shoreline areas within twenty-five (25) feet of the water with no natural vegetation, degraded vegetation, or planted with turf grass;
3. Areas on steep slopes and bluffs that are visible from the river with no natural vegetation, degraded vegetation, or planted with turf grass; or
4. Other approved priority opportunity area, including priorities identified in the MRCCA Plan, if none of the above exist.
b. 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.
c. Any highly erodible soils disturbed during removal and/or restoration must be stabilized with deep-rooted vegetation with a high stem density.
d. Vegetation removed must be restored with native vegetation to the greatest extent practicable. The area (square feet) of the restored vegetation, and number of trees, should be similar to that removed to the greatest extent practicable.
e. 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.
f. Be prepared by a qualified individual including a professional ecologist, arborist, landscape architect, or person with demonstrable experience and knowledge related to vegetation management.
g. Include a maintenance plan that includes management provisions for controlling invasive species and replacement of plant loss for three (3) years.
(3) A certificate of compliance will be issued after the vegetation restoration plan requirements have been satisfied.
Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MICOOR_TIT20ZOCO_CH535OVDI_ARTXIIIMRMIRICOCRAROVDI_535.1690VEMAFetched: 11/2/2026