Planning and Zoning

blueprint

The Planning and Zoning division is responsible for the development, maintenance and implementation of the County Comprehensive Plan. Shoreland and Floodplain Regulations, Subdivision Ordinances and Zoning Ordinances. 

The division also works with the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment to issue conditional use permits, approve development plans and grant variances. The Planning Division is also involved with development of Parks and Open Space planning, All-hazard mitigation planning and Transportation planning.


Zoning permits/online permitting system

All zoning permits must be applied for online. Find zoning permit fact sheets in the Permit Information section below.

Note that Rice County does not handle building or zoning for properties located in Bridgewater Township. Contact Bridgewater Township at 507-645-1656 or via [email protected]. You can also visit its bridgewatertwp.org for more information.

For other information and to access Rice County's online permitting system, visit the Online Permitting page.

Permit information

  1. Conditional Use / Interim Use Permit
  2. Final Plat
  3. Grading and Filling Cover
  4. Preliminary Plat
  5. Temporary Equipment Placement Permit
  6. Variance
  7. Waiver of Plat
  8. Wildlife Pond permit
  9. Zoning Amendment and Rezoning

Setback information

Shoreland Setbacks
All Other Zoning District Setbacks

Floodplain information

To learn more about what is being done about floodplains, visit the Floodplain Management page.