Clay County planning staff summarize 2025 permitting, gravel tax and floodplain LOMR
February 17, 2026 | Clay County, Minnesota
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Planning staff presented the department’s 2025 annual summary to the Clay County Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 17, highlighting permitting trends, gravel‑tax reporting and a FEMA floodplain map revision.
Staff said building permits and new residential starts increased in 2025 compared with 2024, reporting about 35 new housing starts (up from 20) and an average construction value just north of $160,000, with total building-permit valuation around $30 million. Use-permit activity remained substantial: staff logged 13 interim use permits and 11 conditional use permits in 2025, with many permits tied to gravel operations, home-occupation permits and community solar projects.
On gravel tax reporting, staff said the county tracked production per pit beginning about five years ago and that gravel-tax revenues rose modestly in 2025 (roughly $10,000 higher than 2024). Staff summarized state-mandated distribution: 42.5% of gravel tax revenue goes to the county, 42.5% to the township where the pit is located and 15% to a reserve fund for reclamation and road projects. Staff stated the statutory rate is 21.5 cents per cubic yard (15¢ per ton) and noted counties may exempt very low‑production operators for specified thresholds.
Staff also described completion of a FEMA Better Data Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for a stretch of the Buffalo River that removed roughly 20 property owners from the 100‑year floodplain. The department will coordinate with the state floodplain manager to align local floodplain zoning with FEMA’s updated maps.
Looking ahead, staff warned the commission that Clay County has begun receiving inquiries about data centers and may need to draft performance standards and an ordinance; enforcement of zoning rules will continue to be a significant workload. Staff also noted the diversion project work may substantially alter floodplain boundaries in western parts of the county and that the commission may seek updates from diversion staff on dam safety zoning.
(Reporting note: figures and program details are drawn directly from planning staff comments during the Feb. 17, 2026 meeting.)
Staff said building permits and new residential starts increased in 2025 compared with 2024, reporting about 35 new housing starts (up from 20) and an average construction value just north of $160,000, with total building-permit valuation around $30 million. Use-permit activity remained substantial: staff logged 13 interim use permits and 11 conditional use permits in 2025, with many permits tied to gravel operations, home-occupation permits and community solar projects.
On gravel tax reporting, staff said the county tracked production per pit beginning about five years ago and that gravel-tax revenues rose modestly in 2025 (roughly $10,000 higher than 2024). Staff summarized state-mandated distribution: 42.5% of gravel tax revenue goes to the county, 42.5% to the township where the pit is located and 15% to a reserve fund for reclamation and road projects. Staff stated the statutory rate is 21.5 cents per cubic yard (15¢ per ton) and noted counties may exempt very low‑production operators for specified thresholds.
Staff also described completion of a FEMA Better Data Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for a stretch of the Buffalo River that removed roughly 20 property owners from the 100‑year floodplain. The department will coordinate with the state floodplain manager to align local floodplain zoning with FEMA’s updated maps.
Looking ahead, staff warned the commission that Clay County has begun receiving inquiries about data centers and may need to draft performance standards and an ordinance; enforcement of zoning rules will continue to be a significant workload. Staff also noted the diversion project work may substantially alter floodplain boundaries in western parts of the county and that the commission may seek updates from diversion staff on dam safety zoning.
(Reporting note: figures and program details are drawn directly from planning staff comments during the Feb. 17, 2026 meeting.)
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