General Permitting Info

The Brown’s Creek Watershed District enforces rules and regulations as required by Minnesota Statute to conserve the natural resources of the state and watershed. These rules reflect our intent to protect the watershed’s lakes, streams, wetlands, and natural resources. Our permitting standards include requirements for stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, buffers for water resources, shoreline alterations, water crossings, and flood control.

Homeowners

Commercial/
Development

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District Rules

The Brown’s Creek Watershed District has a set of 11 rules, with the most recent version adopted on March 11, 2020, that guide BCWD's regulatory (permitting) program. These rules include:

  • 1.0: Procedural Requirements
  • 2.0: Stormwater Management
  • 3.0: Erosion Control
  • 4.0: Lake, Stream, and Wetland Buffer Requirements
  • 5.0: Shoreline and Streambank Alterations
  • 6.0: Watercourse and Basin Crossings
  • 7.0: Floodplain and Drainage Alterations
  • 8.0: Fees
  • 9.0: Financial Assurances
  • 10.0: Variances
  • 11.0: Enforcement

Review the Brown’s Creek Watershed District Rules (PDF) for the full rule requirements.

Permit Application Process

We use one Permit Application (PDF) for all project types. The Brown’s Creek Watershed District Rules (PDF) document should be reviewed prior to applying.

Map outlining the permit application process

1. Pre-Application Meeting

We highly recommend scheduling a meeting with district staff prior to applying for your permit, ideally early in the planning process. Staff can help you determine which rules are applicable to your project, what submittals will be required, and the amount of the permit fee. Contact kkill@mnwcd.org to set up a pre-application meeting.

2. Submit Application

Submit your application electronically to Karen Kill at kkill@mnwcd.org including the signed application and all required submittals. The permit fee must be mailed or delivered to the Brown’s Creek Watershed District office at 455 Hayward Ave North, Oakdale, MN 55128.

Note: A complete permit application which includes all required exhibits shall be received by the District at least 28 full days prior to the scheduled meeting date of the Board of Managers. Late submittals or submittals with incomplete exhibits will be scheduled to a subsequent meeting date. Submitting materials by the below deadlines does not guarantee your application will be presented at the next Board meeting. The Board encourages applicants to attend the meeting when the Board is considering their permit application.

Application Submittal Deadline (4:00pm)  /  Board Meeting Date

  • June 11, 2025  /  July 9, 2025
  • July 16, 2025  /  August 13, 2025
  • August 13, 2025  /  September 10, 2025
  • September 10, 2025  /  October 8, 2025
  • October 15, 2025  /  November 12, 2025
  • November 12, 2025  /  December 10, 2025
  • December 10, 2025  /  January 14, 2026 (note earlier submittal deadline due to holiday office closures)
  • January 14, 2026  /  February 11, 2026
  • February 11, 2026  /  March 11, 2026
  • March 11, 2026  /  April 8, 2026
  • April 15, 2026  /  May 13, 2026

3. Completeness Determination

BCWD staff and our engineers will review the application materials to provide a completeness determination to the applicant(s) via email within 15 business days of receiving the application.

4. Application Review

BCWD staff and our engineers will review the application materials to determine whether all rule requirements have been met within 60 days of deeming the application complete. An engineer’s report and presentation will be created to share with the board of managers at the next board meeting when required.

5. Permit Decision

The Brown’s Creek Watershed District Administrator will approve single family home permits (without variances) and permits that only require erosion control when all rule requirements have been met. All other permits will go to the board of managers for approval at their next board meeting. It is recommended that permit applicants attend the meeting where their permits are presented, especially if there are variances requested. The board will make one of three decisions:

  • Denied – the permit does not meet the rules.
  • Approved – the permit meets the rules and will be issued.
  • Conditionally Approved – the permit will be issued once conditions have been met (most common).

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs are in development and coming soon! For now, please direct any questions to kkill@mnwcd.org.

Regulatory Program Reviews and Rules Updates

2024 - 2025 Regulatory Program Review

From 2024 to 2025 we completed a facilitated process with partners to review and provide recommendations for the BCWD Regulatory Program. The process culminated in a Final Report & Recommendations (PDF). Review the post below for a summary and access to the presentations.

2024 – 2025 Regulatory Program Review

The BCWD regulatory review process included a facilitated partner meeting held November 21, 2024; a presentation and discussion of initial recommendations with the Board on January 8, 2025; and a […]

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Past SONARs and Support Memos

These documents support and explain the BCWD Board of Managers’ decisions to adopt and amend the rules.

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