Meeker County approves revised feedlot animal‑unit rules, declines new R1/R2 lot‑size cap
May 06, 2026 | Meeker County, Minnesota
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The Meeker County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a planning commission recommendation that revises how the county counts and limits "animal units" on small residential parcels, and rejected a separate proposal that would have set maximum lot sizes in R1/R2 zones.
Greg Schultz, a planning staff member, told the board the amended ordinance clarifies the county's definition of an "animal unit" and changes limits to "a maximum of 1 animal unit per acre for up to a maximum of 10 animal units per site," and adjusts swine and poultry limits to per‑acre measures rather than flat per‑site caps. "We added [a] definition of what an animal unit is according to Meeker County ordinances," Schultz said during the presentation.
Commissioners debated the companion proposal to require multiple lots when substantial acreage is converted from agricultural to residential use. Opponents described that idea as an infringement on property rights and better suited to the county's comprehensive plan, not an ordinance change. "I just think that infringes on their rights as a taxpayer who own the property," one commissioner said during the discussion.
After discussion, a motion was made to approve the feedlot (animal‑use) ordinance change and to decline the proposed R1/R2 lot‑size requirement. The voice vote carried, with the board adopting the feedlot revisions and leaving lot‑size policy to be addressed through the comprehensive planning process.
The ordinance text adopted clarifies measurement and per‑acre limits but does not alter the county's approach to platting or comp‑plan policy; planning staff said definitions were added to reduce confusion over what counts as an animal unit. The county did not provide a published roll‑call tally in the transcript; the change was approved by voice vote.
The board's action keeps the county's zoning code focused on agricultural‑use clarity while deferring broad lot‑size policy to future comp‑plan work.
The county clerk's office will post the adopted ordinance language and next procedural steps for implementation.
Greg Schultz, a planning staff member, told the board the amended ordinance clarifies the county's definition of an "animal unit" and changes limits to "a maximum of 1 animal unit per acre for up to a maximum of 10 animal units per site," and adjusts swine and poultry limits to per‑acre measures rather than flat per‑site caps. "We added [a] definition of what an animal unit is according to Meeker County ordinances," Schultz said during the presentation.
Commissioners debated the companion proposal to require multiple lots when substantial acreage is converted from agricultural to residential use. Opponents described that idea as an infringement on property rights and better suited to the county's comprehensive plan, not an ordinance change. "I just think that infringes on their rights as a taxpayer who own the property," one commissioner said during the discussion.
After discussion, a motion was made to approve the feedlot (animal‑use) ordinance change and to decline the proposed R1/R2 lot‑size requirement. The voice vote carried, with the board adopting the feedlot revisions and leaving lot‑size policy to be addressed through the comprehensive planning process.
The ordinance text adopted clarifies measurement and per‑acre limits but does not alter the county's approach to platting or comp‑plan policy; planning staff said definitions were added to reduce confusion over what counts as an animal unit. The county did not provide a published roll‑call tally in the transcript; the change was approved by voice vote.
The board's action keeps the county's zoning code focused on agricultural‑use clarity while deferring broad lot‑size policy to future comp‑plan work.
The county clerk's office will post the adopted ordinance language and next procedural steps for implementation.
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