Planning & Zoning

The Planning and Zoning division is responsible for the development, maintenance and implementation of the County Comprehensive Plan. Shoreland and Floodplain Regulations, Subdivision Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance. The division also works with the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment to issue conditional use permits, approve development plans and grant variances. The Planning division is also involved with development of Parks and Open Space planning, All Hazard Mitigation planning and Transportation planning.

​Zoning Permits/Online Permitting System


All zoning permits must be applied for online. Find zoning permit fact sheets in the Permit Information section below.

Please note that Rice County does not handle building or zoning for properties located in Bridgewater Township. Contact Bridgewater Township at 507-645-1656 or via email. You can also visit their website for more information.

For other information and to access our online permitting system, please go to our Online Permitting page.

Permit Information

  1. Conditional Use Permit (PDF)
  2. Grading and Filling Cover (PDF)
  3. Planned Unit Development (PDF)
  4. Preliminary Final Plat (PDF)
  5. Temporary Asphalt Plant Highway Construction (PDF)
  6. Variance (PDF)
  7. Waiver of Plat (PDF)
  8. Wildlife Pond (PDF)
  9. Zoning Amendment and Rezoning (PDF)

Setback Information


Shoreland Setbacks
All Other Zoning District Setbacks

Floodplain Information


To learn more about what is being done about floodplains, read our Floodplain Management page.