(A) Lot sizes.
(1) Lots newly platted or created by metes and bounds. For lots newly platted or created by metes and bounds descriptions.
(a) For Natural Environment Districts, the minimum lot size shall be 80,000 square feet and not less than 200 feet in width at the building line and not less than 200 feet in width at the water line for lots abutting a public water.
(b) For Recreational Development Districts, the minimum lot size shall be 40,000 square feet and not less than 150 feet in width at the building line, and not less than 150 feet in width at the water line for lots abutting a public water.
(c) For General Development Districts, the minimum lot size shall be 20,000 square feet and not less than 100 feet in width at the building line, and not less than 100 feet in width at the water line for lots abutting a public water.
(d) In addition to the minimum requirements of this division, the minimum lot size shall be increased so that the total area of all structures, existing or proposed, on a lot will not equal more than 30% of the lot area.
(2) Substandard lots.
(a) Lots of record in the office of the Chisago County Register of Deeds prior to the date of enactment of this chapter which do not meet the requirements for minimum lot sizes set forth immediately above may be allowed as building sites, provided the use is permitted in the zoning district, the lot is in separate ownership from abutting lands, and all sanitary and dimensional requirements of applicable city regulations are complied with insofar as is practical.
(b) In no event shall the minimum size lot or the minimum width of building line or water line be less than 60% of the requirements for newly platted lots, except for approved cluster developments, as provided hereinafter.
(B) Placement of structures on lots.
(1) Setbacks. All structures, except boathouses, piers and docks, shall be setback the following horizontal distances.
(a) On natural environment lakes, at least 200 feet from the normal high water mark.
(b) On recreational development lakes, at least 100 feet from the normal high water mark.
(c) On general development lakes, at least 75 feet from the normal high water mark.
(d) Outside of a floodway as defined in M.S. § 103F.111, as it may be amended from time to time.
(2) High water elevation.
(a) For lakes, ponds or flowages. No structure, except boathouses, piers and docks, shall be placed at an elevation so that the lowest floor, including basement floors, is less than three feet above the highest known water level. In those instances where sufficient data on known high water levels are not available, the elevation of the line of permanent shoreland vegetation shall be used as the estimated high water elevation. When fill is utilized to achieve the required elevation, the fill shall be allowed to stabilize, and construction shall not begin until the property has been inspected and approved by the city zoning administrator.
(b) For rivers or streams. Placement of structures shall be in conformance with any applicable local flood plan regulations or ordinances. Where no ordinances exist, the elevation of structures shall be determined after an evaluation of available flood information.
(3) Erosion and sedimentation control. No structure shall be placed in any area which will require grading and/or filling which will result in impairment of public waters by reason of erosion and sedimentation, violate provisions of statewide standards and criteria for management of flood plain areas of Minnesota, or result in impairment of fish or aquatic life.
(4) Location of structures in relation to side lot lines and roads.
(a) There shall be not less than ten feet between any structure and side lot lines.
(b) No structure shall be placed closer than 50 feet from the right-of-way line of any federal, state, or county trunk highway, or 40 feet from any town road, public street, or other road not classified.
(5) Boathouses. Boathouses shall be permitted to be located up to the normal high water mark subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit by the city zoning administrator, provided they shall not be used for habitation and they shall not contain sanitary facilities.
(6) Variances. Variances to the setback requirements may be granted under the following circumstances by the City Planning Commission, in accordance with the procedure set forth in the city zoning regulations, provided the property is not within a floodway:
(a) In areas where development exists on both sides of a proposed building site, water and road setbacks may be varied to conform to the existing established setbacks;
(b) In areas of unusual topography or substantial elevation above the water level, the water setback may be varied to allow a riparian owner reasonable use and enjoyment of his or her property; or
(c) Where homes incorporate a method of sewage disposal other than an on-site soil absorption system, water setbacks may be reduced by 1/3.
(7) Locations of signs and structural appurtences thereto. All commercial advertising signs shall be of a size, shape and location so as not be unduly prominent in their surroundings. The regulations of signs hereunder are in addition to the provisions of M.S. Chapter 173, as it may be amended from time to time, and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(a) Signs intended to be read from the water shall be set back to the established structure setback from the normal high water mark, shall be attached to a building, and shall not exceed 30 square feet in gross area.
(b) All signs shall require a permit to be erected, except the following, when they do not exceed six square feet in gross area.
1. Signs advertizing a customary home occupation.
2. Temporary signs advertising the sale, rent or lease of property.
3. Recreation directory signs.
(c) Prohibited signs are those which:
1. Interfere with the visibility of drivers or obstruct traffic signs;
2. Are illuminated by a flashing light or by any light directed toward a neighboring residence or toward the water, except emergency or warning signs;
3. Are composed of any conspicuous animated part; and/or
4. Are mounted on a dock or float.
(C) Shoreland alterations.
(1) Removal of natural vegetation. The removal of natural vegetation shall be restricted to prevent erosion into public waters, to consume nutrients in the soil, and to preserve shoreland esthetics. Removal shall be restricted within a strip paralleling the water line and extending inland a specified distance from the normal high water mark. The specified distance is determined by the lake class, and is as follows:
(a) Natural environment lakes and streams. 100 feet from the normal high water mark.
(b) Recreational development lakes and streams. 50 feet from the normal high water mark.
(c) General development lakes and streams. 35 feet from the normal high water mark.
(d) To allow a view corridor to the water, 25% of the length of this strip may be cleared to the depth of the strip. In the remaining 75% of this strip, cutting shall leave sufficient cover to screen cars, dwellings, and other structures, except boathouses, piers docks and marinas, from view from the lake.
(e) This division shall not apply to permitted uses which normally require the removal of the natural vegetation.
(2) Grading and filling.
(a) Grading and filling in shoreland areas or any alterations of the natural topography where the slope of the land is toward a public water or a watercourse leading to a public water must be approved by the city zoning administrator, and a permit obtained prior to the commencement of any work thereon.
(b) The permit may be granted, subject to the conditions that:
1. The smallest area of bare ground is exposed for as short a time as feasible;
2. Temporary ground cover, such as mulch, is used and permanent ground cover, such as sod, is planted; and
3. Methods to prevent erosion and trap sediment are employed; and
4. Fill is stabilized to accepted engineering standards.
(3) Channeling. Excavations on shorelands where the intended purpose is connection to a public water shall require a permit from the city zoning administrator before construction is begun. The permit may be obtainable only after the Commissioner of Conservation has issued a permit for work in the beds of public waters.
(4) Violation. Restore to original condition.
(Prior Code, § 1001.01)