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Big Lake Overview
Big Lake, MN Code of Ordinances
THE CITY OF BIG LAKE MINNESOTA CODE OF ORDINANCES
CHAPTER 1: CODE INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2: OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER 3: LICENSING
CHAPTER 4: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
CHAPTER 5: NUISANCES, OFFENSES, AND OTHER REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 6: TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 7: STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
CHAPTER 8: MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
CHAPTER 9: BUILDING/HOUSING
CHAPTER 10: ZONING
CHAPTER 11: SUBDIVISION
CHAPTER 12: RESERVED
CHAPTER 13: SIGNS
CHAPTER 14: RIGHT-OF-WAY MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 15: RURAL AND URBAN TAXING DISTRICTS
APPENDIX A: FEE SCHEDULE
PARALLEL REFERENCES
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§ 1003.02 Zoning District Boundaries.
Zoning district boundary lines established by this subsection follow lot lines, the centerlines of railroad right-of-way lines, street rights-of-way, water courses, or the corporate limit lines, all as they exist upon the effective date of this chapter.
   Subd. 1.   Appeals. Appeals concerning the exact location of a zoning district boundary line shall be heard by the City Council serving as the Board of Adjustment and Appeals pursuant to subsection 1002.13.
   Subd. 2.   Vacations. Whenever any street, alley, or other public way is vacated by official action of the city as provided in subsection 1101.10 of the City Code, the zoning district adjoining each side of such street, alley, or public way shall be automatically extended to the center of such vacation, and all area included in the vacation shall then and henceforth be subject to all appropriate regulations of the extended districts.
   Subd. 3.   Designation. All streets, alleys, public ways, and railroad rights-of-way, if not otherwise specifically designated, shall be deemed to be in the same zone as the property in the most restrictive classification immediately abutting upon such alleys, streets, public ways, or railroad rights-of-way. Where the centerline of a street, alley, public way, or railroad right-of-way serves as the district boundary, the zoning of such areas, unless otherwise specifically designated, shall be deemed to be the same as that of the abutting property up to such centerline.
   Subd. 4.   Water Areas. All areas within the corporate limits of the city which are under water and which are not shown as included within any zone shall be subject to all regulations of the zone which immediately adjoins such water area. If such water area adjoins two or more zones the boundaries of each zone shall be construed to be extended into the water area in a straight line until they meet the other district at the halfway point and/or to the corporate limits.
§ 1003.03 Zoning Map.
The location and boundaries of the districts established by this text are hereby set forth on the official “Big Lake Zoning Map.” Said map shall be on file with the Zoning Administrator, and hereinafter referred to as the “zoning map.” Said map and all the notations, references, and other information shown thereon shall have the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein and thereby made a part of this chapter by reference.
(Ord. 2023-06, passed 6-14-2023)
§ 1003.04 Annexations.
All territory hereafter annexed to the city which is not shown on the zoning map shall automatically, upon annexation, be classified within the Agricultural District and shall be subject to all regulations, notations, references, and conditions as are applicable to said district until such time that a determination may be made as to the proper district classification for such territory and an amendment can be made to that effect.
§ 1003.05 Use Table.
The use table in this subsection identifies the uses allowed within zoning districts.
   Subd. 1.   Uses. Uses are defined in subsection 1001.02. Uses not defined are subject to standard dictionary definitions.
   Subd. 2.   Permitted Uses. Uses identified in the zoning district column with the letter “P” are allowed as permitted uses in the respective zoning district.
   Subd. 3.   Accessory Uses. Uses identified in the zoning district column with the letter “A” are allowed as accessory uses in the respective zoning district.
   Subd. 4.   Administrative Uses. Uses identified in the zoning district column with the letter “AP” are allowed as administrative uses in the respective zoning district. Administrative uses must obtain an administrative permit, subject to the performance standards in this chapter and procedures in subsection 1002.05, prior to commencing.
   Subd. 5.   Conditional Uses. Uses identified in the zoning district column with the letter “C” are allowed as conditional uses in the respective zoning district. Conditional uses must obtain a conditional use permit, subject to the performance standards in this chapter and procedures in subsection 1002.08, prior to commencing.
   Subd. 6.   Interim Uses. Uses identified in the zoning district column with the letter “I” are allowed as interim uses in the respective zoning district. Interim uses must obtain an interim use permit, subject to the performance standards in this chapter and procedures in subsection 1002.09, prior to commencing.
   Subd. 7.   The code reference column in the table below provides information about the City Code section establishing additional standards required for certain uses.
TABLE 1
Use
AG
R-1
R-2
R-3
R-4
R-5
Code Reference
TABLE 1
Use
AG
R-1
R-2
R-3
R-4
R-5
Code Reference
Accessory dwelling unit
C
C
C
 
 
C
Subsection 1006.07
Accessory structures and uses incidental and customary to the uses allowed
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1005.02
Agriculture, farms, nursery farms, greenhouses for growing only, landscape gardening, including sale of products only grown on premises
P
 
 
 
 
 
Alternative energy systems
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1005.08
Antennas
A, AP, C, P
A, AP, C, P
A, AP, C, P
A, AP, C, P
A, AP, C, P
A, AP, C, P
Subsection 1005.02
Assisted living facility
 
 
 
C
 
 
Subsection 1006.07
Cemeteries and memorial gardens
C
C
 
 
 
C
Subsection 1006.07
Day care facility, commercial
C
Subsection 1006.07
Day care facility, in home
A
A
A
A
A
A
Subsection 1006.07
Detached accessory structure (off-site)
 
 
 
 
 
C
Subsection 1006.07
Dwelling, multifamily
 
 
 
P
 
 
Dwellings, single-family detached
P
P
P
 
 
P
Dwellings, townhomes
 
 
P
P
 
C
Dwellings, two-family
 
 
P
P
 
C
Essential services
P, AP, C
P, AP, C
P, AP, C
P, AP, C
P, AP, C
P, AP, C
Subsection 1005.04, 1006.07
Fences
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1006.05
Garage
A
A
A
A
A
A
Subsection 1006.02
Gardening and other horticultural uses, with no sale of products on premises
A
A
A
A
A
A
Golf courses, archery ranges, ski clubs, and other private recreational land uses of a similar nature
P
 
 
 
 
 
Grading and mining operations
I
I
I
I
I
I
Subsection 1005.05
Grading, filling, and excavating
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1005.05
Home occupations
A, C
A, C
A, C
A, C
A, C
A, C
Subsection 1003.13
Keeping of animals
A
A
A
A
A
A
Section 390
Kennels, commercial
I
 
 
 
 
 
Subsection 1006.07
Manufactured home park
 
 
 
 
C
 
Model homes/temporary real estate office
 
AP
AP
AP
I
AP
Subsection 1005.06
Off-street loading
 
 
A
A
A
A
Outdoor wood burner
A
A
A
A
A
A
Public, educational, and religious buildings
C
C
C
C
C
C
Subsection 1006.07
Recreation, public
P
P
P
P
P
P
Recreational field, structure, or building
C
C
C
C
C
C
Subsection 1006.07
Recreational vehicles
A
A
A
A
A
A
Subsection 1005.07
Septic and well
I
Subsection 1006.07
Short-term rental housing
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1006.07
Signs
A
A, C
A, C
A, C
A, C
A, C
Section 1300
Solar farms and gardens
I
 
 
 
 
 
State licensed residential facility (6 or fewer people)
P
P
 
 
 
P
State licensed residential facility (7 or more people)
 
 
C
C
C
 
Subsection 1006.07
Temporary classroom
I
I
I
I
I
I
Temporary mobile towers for personal wireless service antennas
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1005.02
Temporary structures and uses
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1002.10
Uses incidental and directly related to public and private recreational facilities
A
A
A
A
A
A
Table 2
Use
B-1
B-2
CI
I-1
I-2
I-3
Section Reference
Table 2
Use
B-1
B-2
CI
I-1
I-2
I-3
Section Reference
Accessory structures and uses incidental and customary to the uses allowed
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1005.02
Animal hospital
P
P
P
P
P
P
Animal grooming
P
P
P
P
P
P
Antennas
A, AP, C, P
A, AP, C, P
A, AP, C, P
A, AP, C, P
A, AP, C, P
A, AP, C, P
Subsection 1005.02
Artisan studio/makerspace
P
P
P
P
P
Auction facility
P
P
P
P
P
P
Auto repair (major/minor), with a retail component
 
C
Subsection 1006.07
Automobile repair, major
P
P
P
Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions
P
P
P
Bed and breakfast establishment
P
P
Breweries, taproom
P
P
P
P
P
P
Brewpubs
P
P
P
Canopies
A
A
A
Subsection 1006.07
Car wash
C
C
Subsection 1006.07
Catering/commercial kitchen
P
P
P
P
Contractor’s operations
P
P
Subsection 1006.07
Co-working space/flexible office space
P
P
P
P
P
Day care facility, commercial
C
C
Subsection 1006.07
Day care, as a conditional accessory use
C
C
C
C
Subsection 1006.07
Dispatch center
P
 
Distribution center
P
P
Drive through lanes
A
A
Subsection 1006.07
Dry cleaning, laundromat, laundry service
P
P
Essential services
P, AP, C
P, AP, C
P, AP, C
P, AP, C
P, AP, C
P, AP, C
Subsection 1005.04, 1006.07
Event center
P
P
P
P
P
P
Farmer’s market
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Fences
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1006.04
Firearm range
C
Funeral homes and mortuaries
P
P
P
P
P
P
Garage, private
A
A
A
A
A
A
Grading, land filling, and excavation
AP, I
AP, I
AP, I
AP, I
AP, I
AP, I
Subsection 1005.05
Grocery, supermarket
 
P
Health clubs
P
P
P
P
Hospitals and medical campus
P
P
P
P
P
P
Hotels and motels
P
P
P
Keeping of animals
 
A
A
A
P
Section 390
Kennels, commercial
I
I
Subsection 1006.07
Laboratories
 
 
P
P
P
P
Liquor, on-sale or off-sale
P
P
Manufacturing, compounding, assembly, packaging, treatment of products
C
C
P
P
P
P
Motor fuel station
C
C
Subsection 1006.07
Motor vehicle sales
 
C
C
C
Subsection 1006.07
Motor vehicle sales, indoor
P
Retail and personal service business
P
P
P
Offices, professional/medical
P
P
P
Office/warehouse or business
P
P
P
Off-street loading
A
A
A
A
A
A
Open sales lot
A
Outdoor dining, accessory
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1006.07
Outdoor sales and services, accessory
C
C
Subsection 1006.07
Outdoor storage, accessory
I
AP, I
Subsection 1006.07
Parking ramp
P
P
P
P
P
P
Processing or fabrication
P
P
P
P
Public, educational, and religious buildings
C
C
C
C
C
C
Subsection 1006.07
Radio and television stations
P
P
P
P
P
P
Recreation, commercial
P
P
P
P
P
Recreation, field, structure, or building
C
C
C
C
C
C
Subsection 1006.07
Recreation, public
P
P
P
P
P
P
Restaurant
P
P
P
Restaurant/cafeteria accessory to an allowed use
A
A
A
A
A
A
Subsection 1006.07
Self-service storage facility
P
P
P
Sexually oriented business
P, A
P, A
P, A
P, A
P, A
P, A
Subsection 1005.11
Shopping center
 
P
Signs
A, AP, C
A, AP, C
A, AP, C
A, AP, C
A, AP, C
A, AP, C
Section 1300
Sports arena and stadiums
C
C
State licensed residential facility (> 7 or more persons)
P
P
Storage, containerized
 
I
Temporary structures and uses
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
AP
Subsection 1002.10
Trade or business schools
 
P
P
Transit station
P
P
P
P
P
P
Truck or freight terminal
C
Subsection 1006.07
Vehicle rental, accessory
 
I
Subsection 1006.07
Wholesale showrooms, warehousing, and indoor storage
P
P
P
P
P
 
§ 1003.06 AG, Agricultural District.
   Subd. 1.   Purpose. The Agricultural Zoning District is established for the purpose of preserving and maintaining the use of land for agricultural purposes, to prevent scattered and disorderly urbanization, and to protect and preserve natural resources. In areas of the city where municipal sewer and water are available or planned, the purpose of the Agricultural District is to provide a holding zone until a landowner/developer makes application for development, at which time, the city may rezone the affected property consistent with its designation in the Comprehensive Plan, provided that the development does not result in the premature extension of public utilities, facilities, and services as specified above.
   Subd. 2.   Uses Allowed. Uses allowed within the district are as described in subsection 1003.05.
   Subd. 3.   Use Standards. Uses are subject to the applicable provisions of the performance standards in Section 1006 and the process requirements in Section 1002.
   Subd. 4.   Lot Area, Height, and Setback Requirements. The following minimum requirements shall be observed in an AG District subject to additional requirements, exceptions, and modifications set forth in this chapter.
TABLE 3
AG, AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
Requirements
TABLE 3
AG, AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
Requirements
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS
 
Maximum height principal structure
35 feet
Minimum lot area
5 acres
Minimum lot width
500 feet
Principal Structure Setbacks
 
Front
50 feet
Rear
30 feet
Side
20 feet
SOLAR FARMS AND SOLAR GARDENS
 
Maximum height solar panels
15 feet at maximum tilt
Minimum lot area
5 acres
Minimum lot width
500 feet
Solar Panel Setbacks
 
Front
20 feet
Rear
20 feet
Side
20 feet
OTHER USES
 
Maximum height principal structure
35 feet
Minimum lot area
20 acres
Minimum lot width
500 feet
Principal Structure Setbacks
 
Front
100 feet (or as specifically identified)
Rear
40 feet (or as specifically identified)
Side
50 feet (or as specifically identified)
 
   Subd. 5.   Density. The maximum density within the AG District shall be one dwelling unit per quarter/quarter section.
   Subd. 6.   Quarter/Quarter Residential Divisions. In a complete quarter/quarter section which contains no dwellings, one parcel may be subdivided to be used as a residential site, provided that:
         1.   The division shall meet the minimum lot and yard requirements of this subsection;
         2.   A deed restriction shall be placed upon parcels that have exercised development rights to prohibit additional subdivision, until such a time as it is rezoned and public sewer and water services are provided;
         3.   The initial quarter/quarter section is under common ownership;
         4.   The division is processed according to the city’s subdivision ordinance; and
         5.   The site is capable of accommodating a private well and septic system and an alternative septic system site, should the initial site fail.
§ 1003.07 R-1, Single-Family Residential District.
   Subd. 1.   Purpose. The purpose of the R-1, Single-Family Residential District is to provide for low density single-family detached residential dwelling units and directly related, accessory, and complimentary uses.
   Subd. 2.   Uses. Uses allowed within the district are as described in subsection 1003.05.
   Subd. 3.   Uses Standards. Uses are subject to the applicable provisions of the performance standards in Section 1006 and the process requirements in Section 1002.
   Subd. 4.   Lot Area, Height, and Setback Requirements. The following minimum requirements shall be observed in the R-1 District subject to additional requirements, exceptions, and modifications set forth in this chapter.
TABLE 4
R1, SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT *
Requirements
TABLE 4
R1, SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT *
Requirements
SINGLE-FAMILY
 
Maximum height principal structure
35 feet
Maximum impervious surface coverage
35%
Minimum lot area
10,000 square feet
Minimum lot width
75 feet
Principal Structure Setbacks
 
Front
30 feet
Rear
30 feet
Side
10 feet
OTHER USES
 
Maximum height principal structure
35 feet
Minimum lot area
20,000 square feet
Minimum lot width
100 feet
Principal Structure Setbacks
 
Front
50 feet
Rear
40 feet
Side
20 feet
ALL USES
 
Arterial road
50 feet
Collector road
45 feet
Railroad setback
100 feet
Residential driveway setback
5 feet
Wetland setback and buffer
30 feet (from delineated boundary)
Note to Table:
*   All uses located within the Shoreland Overlay District are subject to the standards in subsection 1004.03
 
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