Planning & Zoning Wadena County is "County Wide Zoned" &  Requires a Permit for Land Use, Structure & Onsite Septic Treatment Systems

Responsibilities

The Wadena County Planning and Zoning Department is responsible to administer and enforce the County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) Number 1, which includes land use, building, and onsite sewage treatment, among others, as well as special processes such as: Conditional Use, Variances, Rezoning and Platting. The Zoning Department is also charged with administration and enforcement of the County Subdivision Ordinance (PDF) Number 4. The department provides staff support to the County Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment, as well as to the County Board of Commissioners. 

In addition, this department is tasked with recognizing new land use and changing demands on the resources of the County, and addressing those pressures through amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, as well as through review and possible amendment of the County’s Comprehensive Plan (PDF). We work closely with other departments within the County, and with other institutions including the:

• Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Region Five Development Commission
• Wadena County Soil and Water Conservation District Office

Burn Permits

The department also issues burn permits.