Notice is hereby given that the Lake County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the Law Enforcement Center, 613 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota, to consider proposed amendments to Lake County Land Use Ordinance #12 and Lake County Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #11. All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing to provide input. Interested persons may submit written comments via email message before 4:30 P.M. Thursday, June 12, 2025 to Alexandra.Campbell@co.lake.mn.us or to the Lake County Environmental Services Department, 601 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, MN 55616, prior to the hearing.
IN SUMMARY, THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WOULD:
Lake County Land Use Ordinance #12
- Sec 3- Add/clarify definitions for:
- Conditioned Space
- Expansion, enlargement, or intensification
- Ownership
- Public Road
- Structure
- Sec 6.06 E- Removal of language for new developments in the Larsmont segment of the Knife River/Larsmont Sanitary District to be allowed holding tanks.
- Sec 6.16 – Addition to Vacation Rental Home Minimum requirements:
- A valid Certificate of Compliance for SSTS within the last 5 years for newly installed septic system or 3 years for an existing system.
- Guest quarters may be rented.
- Property must have independent access from a public road. Access via a private road or shared driveway is prohibited.
- One Vacation Rental Home permitted per owner.
- Sec 27.06 A- Addition of Vacation Rental Home special criteria and requirements:
- Interim Use applications are required in the Forest Recreation District zone.
- Renewals may be administratively reviewed and approved.
- Overnight guest occupancy will be set based on one person for every 75 gallons of water per day that the septic system is designed to handle.
- Fall Lake Township to have a limit of 27 Interim Use permits.
- Applications may be denied to maintain the essential character of a neighborhood in Residential zones.
- Sec 28.03- Nonconforming Structures:
- Remove language regarding additions or expansions up to 25%, structures meeting at least 50% of the required shoreland setback may be allowed to expand, and adding onto an existing nonconforming structure cannot result in replacement.
- Sec 30.02 D- No Land Use Permits shall be required for the following:
- Accessory structures less than 161 sq ft
- Unsided woodsheds
- Portable fabric or plastic covered hoop storage building or greenhouse less than 300 sq ft.
- Standard shipping container if used for storage
- Stairways, ramps, and landings used for ingress and egress
- Solar panels mounted on the roof
Lake County Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #11
- Article VIII Sec 1.03 A- Septic Compliance inspections are required prior to the issuance of a Land Use Permit for:
- Any structure on shoreland properties.
- New dwellings, additional living quarters, additional bedrooms, or structures being connected to an existing SSTS.
- Any structure on non-shoreland properties that does not have a valid Certificate of Compliance within the last 30 years.
A draft of these proposed amendments to the Lake County Land Use Ordinance #12 & #11 can be viewed on the Lake County website. www.co.lake.mn.us Copies are also available at the Lake County Environmental Services Department during regular office hours, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
