The definitions below relate specifically to the Shoreland Management City Code.

This definition list is only a summary of important definitions in relation to shoreland management and may assist you in understanding common terms associated with properties surrounding lakes or other public waters. Please refer to the City Code for all definitions.

Accessory Structure
A detached structure, building or facility, which is located on the same lot as the main building and the use of which is clearly incidental to the use of the main building. Such accessory structures shall include but not be limited to pools, tennis courts, water-oriented accessory structures, etc.

Clear cutting
Removal of all existing significant natural vegetation on a lot.

Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL)
The boundary of public waters and wetlands, and shall be at 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. For watercourses, the ordinary high water level is the elevation of the top of the bank of the channel. For reservoirs and flowage, the ordinary high water level is the operating elevation of the normal summer pool.

Public Waters
Any waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes 103G.005, Subd. 15 and Subd. 18.

Setback
The minimum horizontal distance between a structure, sewage treatment system or other facility, and an ordinary high water level, sewage treatment system, top of a bluff, road, highway, property line or other facility.

Shore impact zone
Land located between the ordinary high water level of a public water and a line parallel to it at a setback of 50% of the required structure setback.

Shoreland
Land located within the following distances from public waters:

• 1,000 feet from the OHWL of a lake, pond or flowage
• 300 feet from a river or stream, or the landward extent of a floodplain designated by code on a river or stream, whichever is greater

The limits of shoreland may be reduced whenever the waters involved are bounded by topographic divides which extend landward from the waters for lesser distances and when approved by the DNR Commissioner.

Shoreline
The shoreline for public waters is defined as the normal ordinary high water level.

Structure
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires location on the ground or attachment to something having a location on the ground.

Water-oriented accessory structure
A structure used solely for watercraft storage including storage of related boating and water-oriented sporting equipment.

Calculating Impervious Surface Coverage without a Property Survey

The City requires existing and proposed impervious surface coverage (hard cover) calculations for all properties within the shoreland zone. The City’s preference is that a survey, performed by a registered land surveyor, be used to calculate existing impervious surface coverage. The City may require a survey if the impervious surface coverage is within 5% of the maximum allowed. If a survey document does not currently exist and a survey is not required for the proposed project, other methods can be used to perform these calculations.

There are two ways to get this information:

1. Measure impervious surfaces onsite with a tape measure
2. Use aerial photographs from Hennepin County to measure impervious surfaces with their measuring tool

Regardless of the method used, the impervious surface areas that must be measured include:

• Houses, sheds, garages, and other buildings
• Gazebos, decks, patios (including fire pits), pools and pool decks, sport courts, retaining walls and other similar surfaces
• Driveways, walkways and parking pads (gravel, concrete or asphalt); pervious pavers; and other similar surfaces
• Public sidewalks and trails on the property (sidewalks and/or trails in City right of way should not be included)

To use Hennepin County’s GIS:

1. Go to gis.hennepin.us/property
2. Input property address and click on the magnifying glass icon
3. Record Parcel Area in square feet (Found under “Tax Parcel” on left side of screen)
4. Click on Map Layers button in upper right corner
5. Click on Aerial under Basemaps
6. Click on Measure button in tools along right side
7. Click on Area button in lower left corner
8. Click on a corner of the house or driveway. Click at each corner of hard surface so the impervious surface is shaded. Continue until you’ve established points around perimeter of impervious surfaces. Double click the last point and it will display an area in square feet. If the impervious surface is discontinuous, record the area of each polygon and repeat step 8, adding polygon areas for a total existing impervious area.
9. Record the existing impervious area. Divide by parcel area (from step 3). Multiply by 100. This is the Existing Impervious Coverage.
10. Add the new proposed impervious area (in square feet) to the number you got in step 8. Divide by parcel area. Multiply by 100. This is the Proposed Impervious Coverage.
11. Click on Share button in tools along right side
12. Create a PDF. Click Open PDF, then save it and upload to ProjectDox with the Building Permit Application.

In ProjectDox, respond to the comment about impervious cover. Please include the Existing and Proposed Impervious Coverage calculations and percentages in that space or upload a separate document showing the calculations.

Template for Impervious Surface Calculations [XLS]

Chapter 9.60 — Regulation of Use of Lake Waters Generally

Section 9.60 includes regulations related to lake use, such as watercraft and docks. Key sections include:

• Equipment and Operation of watercraft or personal watercraft
• Towing
• Swimming in Channels
• Structures Located in Public Waters (such as docks, lifts, slips, platforms and temporary structures)
• Slow-No Wake Restrictions
• Lake-Specific Regulation (such as size of motor and hours of operation)

Chapter 11.50 — Shoreland Management

Section 11.50 includes regulations related to use and management of shoreland areas on public waters. Key sections include:

• Administration, Application and Issuance of Certain Permits
• Variance Standards
• Zoning Restrictions (Includes setbacks and structures permitted in a Bluff Impact Zone)
• Design Criteria for Structures
• Placement and Height of Structures (Includes stairways, lifts and landings)
• Shoreland Alterations
• Placement and Design of Roads, Driveways, and Parking Areas
• Stormwater Management
• Water and Waste Systems
• Non-Conforming Structures, Lots, or Sewage Treatment Systems
• Subdivision Restrictions
• Information Requirements
• Planned Unit Development

Other Relevant Areas of City Code

Other City Code sections may affect your lakeshore property, including:

• Section 11.45 — Floodplain Regulation
• Section 11.51 — Standards for the Protection of Wetlands
• Section 11.55 — Land Alteration, Tree Preservation and Stormwater Management Regulations
• Section 11.60 — Sloped Ground Development and Regulations
• Section 11.75 — Non-Conforming Uses
• Section 11.76 — Variances

City of Eden Prairie

Parks and Natural Resources

Planning

Water Resources

Watersheds and Other Public Agencies

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Minnesota Environmental Quality Board

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Minnesota State Archaeologist

Nine Mile Creek Watershed District

Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District

Lower MN River Watershed District

US Army Corps of Engineers - St. Paul District

Shoreland classifications ensure that shoreland development on public waters is regulated consistent with the classifications assigned by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Setbacks are established based on the classification. The following waterbodies are defined as follows: