Minnesota Riparian Rights
Dan Gustafson is one of the most well versed and studied experts in the State of Minnesota when it comes to land use rules and water rights (riparian rights mn), having studied the issue extensively for a period of about two years. Dan bought a sliver of land about the width of his arms in order to build a dock and park a boat on Medicine Lake in Plymouth, MN in 2013. The City and his neighbors inappropriately blocked his right to build a dock for several years, until Dan won the argument and the day by installing the dock and winning the battle. If you have a question about your riparian rights mn, reasonable use, or if you have a municipality or other government agency or neighbors attempting to restrict your right to wharf or build a dock, feel free to reach out to Dan and tell him your story. It's likely he will be able to help you and your attorney navigate these difficult situations. You can reach him at (952) 473-1000. (FYI-Not an attorney)
Masters Degree Riparian Rights MN from the University of Hard Knocks
You might have read about my war with the City of Plymouth over the right to install a dock on vacant lakeshore on Medicine Lake—it was on the front page of the Star Tribune in 2014 and ran on all the local TV stations.
The City of Plymouth understood the issue incorrectly—thinking that Minnesota riparian rights / water rights and aids to navigation (a dock) can be governed by land use rules. This position is without merit. Medicine Lake and Bassett Creek are connected to the Mississippi river, and have been historically used in interstate commerce. For this and other reasons, federal jurisdiction applies. (33 CFR Part 329)
The magical dividing line according to the federal code of regulations, state statute (103G.005, Subd. 14), and the municipality is the Ordinary High Water Level. Land use rules are on the land side, water rights and rules are on the water side. You cannot be required to build a home on the land in order to exercise the right to wharf. (Minnesota Riparian Rights)
Water law in the State is well settled, whether on Lake Minnetonka or the other bodies of navigable water. In 2004 the Minnesota State Court of Appeals 2004 examined a similar issue in LMCD vs. Canning. To characterize the opinion of the court, the LMCD has the right to regulate (appropriately so), but not prohibit a dock.
Of course the neighbors had the opportunity to purchase the property multiple times prior to my acquisition but did not. Once I acquired an interest then they wanted City Hall to fight the legal battle and pay the legal bills to prevent the use of the land and water in the interests of aesthetics--which is simply not allowed.
Riparian Rights MN is a complex issue. If you or someone you know in this area or state wide is having a problem installing a dock, please have them reach out to me. I’d be happy to provide my expertise.
Riparian Rights MN - Minnesota riparian rights
STRUCTURES IN PUBLIC WATERS: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=6115.0210 Subp. 4. No permit required. No permit is required for the following activities, unless prohibited under subpart 3: A. to construct, reconstruct, or install a dock, floating or temporary structure, watercraft lift, or mooring facility if: (4) the structure or mooring facility is consistent with or allowed under local land use controls, as determined by the local government land use authority;
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT – WATER LAW https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=103G.005 Subd. 10e.Local government unit. "Local government unit" means:
- on state land, the agency with administrative responsibility for the land; and
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=103G.005 Subd. 14.Ordinary high water level. "Ordinary high water level" means the boundary of water basins, watercourses, public waters, and public waters wetlands, and:
- the ordinary high water level is an elevation delineating the highest water level that has been maintained for a sufficient period of time to leave evidence upon the landscape, commonly the point where the natural vegetation changes from predominantly aquatic to predominantly terrestrial;
Bradshaw v. Duluth Imperial Mill Co., 52 Minn. 59 (1892) It has been decided over and over again by this court that the right of the riparian owner to improve, reclaim, and occupy the SUBMERGED LAND IN FRONT OF HIS SHORE ESTATE to the point of navigability is a vested property right, which cannot be taken away, even by the state for a public use, without compensation. Brisbine v. Railway Co., 23 Minn. 114; Union Depot, etc., Co. v. Brunswick, 31 Minn. 297, 17 N. W. Rep. 626;
State by Head v. Slotness, 289 Minn. 485 (1971) 1. The general rule concerning the rights of the owner of riparian land in this state is well settled. The riparian owner's title extends to the low-water mark. State v. Korrer, 127 Minn. 60, 76, 148 N.W. 617, 623, 1095, and cases cited. The state owns the bed of navigable waters below the low-water mark in trust for the people for public uses, which include commercial navigation, the drawing of water for various private and public purposes, recreational activity, and similar water-connected uses. Nelson v. DeLong, 213 Minn. 425, 7 N.W. (2d) 342; State v. Korrer, 127 Minn. 60, 148 N.W. 617, 1095; Lamprey v. State, 52 Minn. 181, 53 N.W. 1139; Miller v. Mendenhall, 43 Minn. 95, 44 N.W. 1141. The riparian owner, in addition to his rights to the use of navigable waters as a member of the public, has other private rights as an incident to his ownership of the shoreland. His main right — on which other rights depend and which often constitutes the principal value of property so situated — is an exclusive right of access to the water in front of his land. Lamprey v. State, 52 Minn. 181, 197, 53 N.W. 1139, 1142. This right of access is the foundation for the rule that the riparian owner has a right to accretions and relictions in front of his land. Ibid. The riparian owner may, to facilitate access to the water, build and maintain wharves, piers, landings, and docks on and in front of his land and extend the same into the water, even beyond low-water mark, to the point of navigability. Brisbine v. St. Paul & Sioux City Ry. Co. 23 Minn. 114, 130. He may, for the same reason, improve, reclaim, and occupy the surface of submerged land out to the point of navigability. Carli v. Stillwater St. Ry & Tr. Co., 28 Minn. 373, 10 N.W. 2052
MN DNR The ordinary high water level (OHWL) is the landward extent of DNR jurisdiction over anyone who works in the bed of public waters or public waters wetlands... It has no significance with respect to private ownership. http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/surfacewater_section/hydrographics/ohwl.pdf
PLYMOUTH ZONING ORDINANCE: Lot Area: The total land area of a horizontal plane within the lot lines (excludes areas below the ordinary high water level of public waters). (Amended by Ord. No. 2011-05, 02/22/11) (21005-22) (g) Ordinary High Water Level: The boundary of public waters and wetlands, and shall be an elevation delineating the highest water level which has been maintained for a sufficient period of time to leave evidence upon the landscape, commonly that point where the natural vegetation changes from predominantly aquatic to predominantly terrestrial. (21005-36) Yard, Shoreland: A yard which is typically a rear yard extending across a lot and being the required minimum horizontal distance between a structure and the ordinary high water level of a public water as established by the City Storm Drainage Plan and Department of Natural Resources. (21005-48)
Riparian Rights MN is a complicated issue. Feel free to call or email about your issue. Disclaimer - It should be noted I am not an attorney, nor do I practice law.