Local Control Over Townships

Citizens in Minnesota communities can call a special meeting to address any issues of concern within the town, including the construction of feedlots, junkyards, hazardous waste facilities, windmills, and any other lawful business of the town. Local control is the key to limiting development in your township.

For example, if you are concerned about the proliferation of feedlots in your township, you can implement local planning and zoning at the township level to establish:

1. The size of the feedlot operation limits the number of animal units.
2. Establish minimum acreage requirements (Dodge County is permitting feedlots on just 6 acres of land);
3. Require an owner/manager to live on the premises;
4. Control the care/maintenance of township roads; and
5. Other requirements.

Local townships have to call a special town meeting in one of three ways:

1. By all the supervisors and the clerk agreeing to call the meeting;
2. By any two supervisors or a supervisor and the clerk, along with at least 12 other township landowners; or
3. By petition of the town electors. The petition must be signed by at least 20% of the voters at the last general election.

As you can see from the map below, Dodge County has 12 townships - 5 of the 12 townships have adopted their own ordinances:

Townships with Local Planning and Zoning (Positioned Opposite the Township Map)

Ellington Township Ordinance

Concord Township Ordinance

Ripley Township Ordinance

Ashland Township Ordinance

Canisteo Township Ordinance III

Canisteo Township MOU Ordinance

Neighboring townships that have adopted their own ordinances include: Blooming Prairie Township