Applications

Annexation happens when previously unincorporated properties become part of the city limits. 

Application and Fees

Application Information

To request annexation, you must submit a petition letter that includes:

1. Name of all persons holding ownership interest in the property
2. Address of property
3. A statement requesting immediate annexation of the property along with the purpose (i.e., sewer/water facilities) of this request
4. A complete legal description of the property as secured from a property abstract, or County Recorder’s Office (do not include abbreviation descriptions as may be included on tax statements)
5. Letter to be signed by all persons holding ownership interests in the property

The letter should be addressed and sent to the City Manager:

City Manager
City of Winona
City Hall, 207 Lafayette Street
Winona, MN 55987

Fees

Application Review

Once application is submitted, staff will review and advise on next steps.  Successful annexation requests generally become finalized within 3-4 months.

Note: To approve an annexation request related to a septic system, the township will require an inspection report which states the system is non-compliant with current regulations and explains why a replacement system cannot be installed.

Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Application
Historic Property Development

The Heritage Preservation Commission handles all certificate of appropriateness requests for historic properties. 

Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Application

See the "Design Review Process" tab on the Heritage Preservation Commission Page for more details and application instructions. 

In general, you must get an approved certificate of appropriateness prior to any work done within a heritage preservation site. 

Anyone who is aggrieved by a decision of either the Board of Adjustment, Heritage Preservation Commission, or Planning Commission may appeal it to the City Council.  For a successful appeal, an appellant must establish tangible impact. 

In order to have your appeal considered, all materials (application, fees, and any other additional information) must be submitted within a certain time period of the original decision (15 days after for certificate of appropriateness appeals, 30 days for wetlands appeals, and 10 days after for all other appeals). All appeals are due by the end of the business day.

Application and Fees

Application

City Council Appeal Form (PDF)

Fees

Application Review Process

UDC Section 43.06.13.J outlines the City Council appeal review process. A summary is below.

1. Submit Application
2. City Council Public Hearing/Decision: All parties involved will make their case about whether or not the original decision of the Planning Commission or Board of Adjustment should be amended. You will have a maximum of 20 minutes to present your case. The City Council makes the final decision on whether or not to reverse the decision.

Note: Prior to the hearing, notice will be sent to property owners within 350 feet of the land in question and a public notice will be posted in the City-designated newspaper. Notice will also be provided to any interested parties who have notified the City in writing that they would like to receive notice of the appeal.

The City's Comprehensive Plan establishes a vision for conservation and development in the City.  All City developments must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

Sometimes, the Comprehensive Plan is amended to adapt to changes in conditions or public policy or if changes are necessary to advance the health, safety, and public welfare of the City. 

• Map amendments concern changes in district boundaries
• Text amendments concern changes in zoning regulations

See the "Before You Start" tab for general application information.

Application and Fees

Applications

• Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment Application (PDF)
• Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment Application (PDF)

Fees

Resources and Reference Material

• UDC Section 43.06.43 explains comprehensive plan text amendments.
• UDC Section 43.06.44 explains comprehensive plan map amendments. 

Application Review Process

The general application review procedure for comprehensive plan amendment applications is outlined in UDC Section 43.06.43.B (text amendments) and UDC Section 43.06.44.B (map amendments).  The specifics may vary project to project, and the Planning and Zoning Department can help guide you through the process. A general summary is below. 

1. Pre-application Meeting (required)    
2. Submit Application     
3. Planning Commission Public Hearing/Recommendation: The commission will review the case and make a recommendation on whether or not to approve the amendment. 
4. City Council Public Hearing/Decision: At another public hearing, the City Council will review all of the relevant information and make the final decision on whether or not to approve the amendment.

Appeals: Any person aggrieved by a decision of the City Council may seek relief therefrom in any court of competent jurisdiction as provided by laws of the state (UDC Section 43.06.13.J).

Note: For comprehensive plan major amendments, notice will be given to property owners within 350 feet of the land in question and a public notice will be posted in the City-designated newspaper at least 10 days prior to each hearing. For minor amendments, only a published public notice is required.

Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) and Interim Use Permits (IUPs) are zoning permits that the City issues because of unique characteristics, hazards inherent in the conditional or interim use, or special problems the proposed location of the conditional or interim use may present. 

Conditional uses are specific land use activities that are allowed in specific zoning districts under certain conditions for as long as those conditions remain present.

Interim uses are specific land use activities that are allowed in specific zoning districts under certain conditions for specific periods of times.

Note: Major amendments are subject to approval under the same procedure as the original CUP or IUP.  Minor amendments that do not violate the original permit and do not affect neighborhood compatibility or the public health, safety, or welfare (as defined in UDC Section 43.06.26) are reviewed by the Planning Commission. 

See the "Before You Start" tab for general application information.

Application and Fees

Applications

• Conditional Use Permit Application (PDF)
• Interim Use Permit Application (PDF)

Fees

Resources and Reference Material

• UDC Section 43.06.24 explains CUPs and IUPs and discusses the regulations of them.

Application Review Process

The general application procedure for conditional and interim use applications is explained in UDC Section 43.06.24.B.  The specifics may vary project to project, and the Planning and Zoning Department can help guide you through the process.  A general summary is below. 

1. Submit Application    
2. Planning Commission Public Hearing/Decision: The Commission will review the case and decide or not to approve the application at a public hearing. 

Appeals: Any party in interest aggrieved by the Planning Commission's decision may appeal to the City Council within 10 days after the date of the decision.  See the "City Council Appeal" tab for more information.

Note: For IUP and CUP permits, notice must be given to property owners within 350 feet of the land in question and a public notice will be posted in the City-designated newspaper at least 10 days prior to each hearing.

Conditional use permits are required for sand processing and mining projects.  Due to the complexities and vast amount of information needed for approval of these projects, a separate special conditional use application is used for each.

See the "Before You Start" tab for general application information.

Application and Fees

Application

• Sand Processing Application (PDF)
• Mining Application (PDF)

Fees

Resources and Reference Material

Mining 

• Mining Attachments (PDF) explains in detail important mining/extraction information, including best practices, environmental review procedures, moisture testing procedures, etc.
• UDC Section 43.03.77.D outlines the general guidelines regulations, and application process for minings and extractions.

Silica Sand

• Sand Processing Attachments (PDF) explains in detail important sand processing information, including environmental review procedures, moisture testing procedures, etc.
• UDC Section 43.03.75 outlines the general regulations for silica sand processing facilities.

Application Review Process

Mining and sand processing applications are generally reviewed the same as all other CUP and IUP applications, as explained in UDC Section 43.06.24.B.  The specifics may vary project to project, and the Planning and Zoning Department can help guide you through the process.  A general summary is below. 

Due to the amount of information needed, pre-application meetings are required for mining and sand processing applications.

1. Pre-application Meeting (Required)          
   
2. Submit Application    
3. Planning Commission Public Hearing/Decision: The Commission will review the case and decide to approve or not to approve the application at a public hearing. 

Appeals: Any party in interest aggrieved by the Planning Commission's decision may appeal to the City Council within 10 days after the date of the decision.  See the "City Council Appeal" tab for more information.

Note: For IUP and CUP permits, notice must be given to property owners within 350 feet of the land in question and a public notice will be posted in the City-designated newspaper at least 10 days prior to each hearing.

Floodplain permits are required for any proposed development or land disturbance on a property which contains floodplain areas.

Floodplain areas include all lands that are located within the boundaries of the Floodway, Flood Fringe, or General Floodplain Districts.

Application and Fees

Application

• Floodplain Application (PDF)

Fees

Resources and Reference Material

• UDC Section 43.02.33 establishes and explains the Floodplain Management Overlay District, explains the regulations put in place to minimize flood loss and to preserve the natural characteristics of watercourses and floodplains, and explains permitted uses.

Application Review Process

The full general application review procedure for floodplain applications is explained in UDC Section 43.02.33.J.  Floodplain applications are generally reviewed and approved by the UDC Administrator (City Planning Department).
 

A land disturbance activity permit application is required for any nonexempt land disturbance activity that is proposed within any City Bluff Impact or Ridgeline Transition Overlay District. (Permits are not required for control/removal of invasive plant species and/or noxious weeds by pulling or hand cutting.)

This is done to help protect the visual, aesthetic, and ecological qualities of the City bluffs.

See the "Before You Start" tab for general application information.

Application and Fees

Applications

• Land Disturbance Activity Application (PDF)

Fees

Resources and Reference Material

• UDC Section 43.02.32 establishes the bluffland protection overlay district and explains the building and development regulations put in place to protect the bluffs.

Application Review Process

The general application review procedure for land disturbance activity applications is outlined in UDC Section 43.06.24.C.8. The specifics may vary project to project, and the Planning and Zoning Department can help guide you through the process. A general summary is below. 

For activities not a part of a subdivision: 

1. Submit Application    
2. Planning Commission Public Hearing/Decision: The commission will review the case and make a decision on whether or not to approve the application at a public hearing. 

For Activities Related to Land in a New Subdivision: If the activity is associated with land that is to be platted, the land disturbance activity permit application will be considered in accordance with preliminary and final plat procedures. In this case, City Council approval of the final plat shall represent approval of the application. 

Appeals: Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Planning Commission may appeal it to the City Council within 10 calendar days following the date of the Planning Commission's decision. See the "City Council Appeals" tab for more information.

Note: A public notice must be published in the newspaper and mailed to all parcel owners contiguous to the subject parcel of the application at least 10 days prior to each public hearing.

Sign Applications

Permits are required for most new or modified signage. 

Sign policies are meant to help maintain city appearances and  citizens safety while still respecting the rights of property owners.

Sign Types

Signs can be classified as either sandwich signs or fixed permanent signs:

Sandwich Signs are temporary double sided a-frame signs that are placed on the ground/sidewalk.

Fixed/Permanent Signs include all other fixed, permanent signage including roof signs, wall signs, projecting signs, and church signs.

Some signs, including but not limited to garage sale signs, holiday decorations, election signs, and parking lot direction signs do not need a permit (with some restrictions. (See UDC 43.05.15B for a full list of exempt signs)

General Sign Application Process

Step One: Review Requirements

• UDC Section 43.01.01 outlines all sign requirements and restrictions.  (starts mid-page)

All land, buildings, and structure (including zoning districts, development standards, and subdivision standards) regulations can be found in the UDC. The UDC Application Manual explains the general application process.

Step Two: Contact Staff 

Before you start a project, please contact the Planning and Zoning Department by (by phone or via email) with any questions and/or to notify staff of your project prior to submitting an application.

Step Three: Submit Application Information and Fees

The application and all necessary material can be turned in to the Planning and Zoning Department at city hall (207 Lafayette Street, Room 210).

Applications

• 2023 Sandwich Sign Permit Application (PDF)
• 2023 Sign Permit Application (PDF)

Fees

Fees can be paid by check (payable to the City of Winona), cash, or credit/debit card (MasterCard or Visa).

Step Four: Sign Permit Issued

Once all of the proper paperwork is submitted, the Community Development Department will examine the plans. If they deem they are compliant with all of the requirements set forth in UDC Section 43.01.01, a sign permit will be issued. 

Note: Work must  be completed within six months after date of issuance. After that, the said permit becomes void.

Step Five: Inspections (Fixed Signs Only)

Once you Inspections are required for all fixed signage to ensure compliance with building standards. Call the Inspections Department at 457-8231 to schedule an inspection.

When to schedule an inspection:

• Wall/Projecting Signs: When the sign has been erected
• Ground Signs: When the footings are poured for a footings inspection and then again after the sign has been erected

Note: Inspections are needed for fixed signs only, not sandwich signs. 

Notes

• Permit applications for sandwich signs placed in the public right-of-way must be resubmitted annually by January 15. Applications submitted after the deadline are subject to late fees (see above).
• Permit applications for sandwich signs on private property only have to be submitted once and can be submitted without penalty any time throughout the year.

The purpose of site plan review is to provide a process for the evaluation and approval for site plans and building design by the City. These procedures are established in the interest of encouraging quality development, ensuring proper design of sites for the effective use of land, promoting high standards, and protecting the health and safety of the general public (UDC 43.06.23.A).

See the "Before You Start" tab for general application information.

Application and Fees

Application

• Site Plan Application (PDF)

Fees

Resources and Reference Material

• UDC Section 43.06.43 explains site plan approval information.

Application Review Process

The general application review procedure for site plan applications is outlined in UDC Section 43.06.43.B. The specifics may vary project to project, and the Planning and Zoning Department can help guide you through the process. A general summary is below.

1. Pre-application Meeting (required)    
2. Submit Application     
3. Planning and Zoning Administrative Review/Decision: After submittal of a complete site plan application, City departments will review the plan and make a decision to approve or deny the site plans (unless a request is made to have it reviewed by the Planning Commission). Prior to doing so, notice of plan submittal is given to property owners within 150 feet of the project and to the Planning Commission.

Subdivision projects can be classified as either major and minor subdivisions, and each has a slightly different review process. 

As defined by UDC Section 43.06.1.A, minor subdivisions are subdivisions which:

1. Do no involve more than five lots after the original trace has been completely subdivided
2. Are located along any existing public street not involving the opening of any street or road
3. Do not involve the dedication of any other public spaces

If a subdivision does not meet all three criteria, it is considered a major subdivision.

 See the "Before You Start" tab for general application information.

Application and Fees

Application

• Subdivision Application (PDF)

Fees

Resources and Reference Material

• All subdivisions must be designed according to UDC Section 43.04.

Application Review Process

The general application review procedure for subdivision applications is outlined in UDC 43.06.31 (minor subdivisions) and UDC 43.06.32-43.06.33 (major subdivisions) The specifics may vary project to project, and the Planning and Zoning Department can help guide you through the process. A general summary is below. 

Minor Subdivision – Final Plat

1. Pre-application Meeting (required)
2. Submit Application
3. Planning Commission Public Hearing/Recommendation: The Planning Commission will make a recommendation on whether or not to approve the application.
4. City Council Decision: The City Council makes the final decision on whether or not to approve the application.

Major Subdivision - Preliminary Plat

1. Pre-application Meeting (required)
2. Submit Application
3. Review By Other Agencies: The Community Development Department will review the plan and send it to other government groups to receive recommendations.
4. Planning Commission Public Hearing/Recommendation: The Planning Commission will make a recommendation on whether or not to approve the preliminary plat.
5. City Council Public Hearing/Decision: The City Council makes the final decision on whether or not to approve the preliminary plat.

Major Subdivision - Final Plat

1. Checking: A copy of the final or record plat thus filed along with other plans will be sent to the city or county engineer for approval.
2. State Agency Review (If Applicable): Where a preliminary plat is subject to review by any state agency, the final plat will also be submitted to them for review.
3. City Council Review/Final Decision: The City Council makes the final decision on whether or not to approve the final plat.

Appeals: Any person aggrieved by a decision of the City Council may seek relief therefrom in any court of competent jurisdiction as provided by laws of the state (UDC 43.06.13.J).

Note: Prior to each hearing, notice will be given to property owners within 350 feet of the land in question and a public notice will be posted in the City-designated newspaper.

Winona's Unified Development Code (UDC) (Chapter 43 of the City Code) outlines the specific ordinances and regulations regarding land use and guides all development within the City. The UDC aim to help the City carry out the comprehensive plan.

Occasionally, the UDC is amended to adapt to changes in conditions or public policy or if changes are necessary to advance the health, safety, and public welfare of the City. 

Map Amendment: Concern changes in district boundaries

Text Amendments: Concern changes in zoning regulations

See the "Before You Start" tab for general application information.

Application and Fees

Applications

• UDC Text Amendment Application (PDF)
• UDC Map Amendment Application (PDF)

Fees

Resources and Reference Material

• UDC Section 43.06.43 explains UDC text amendments
• UDC Section 43.06.44 explains UDC map amendments

Application Review Process

The general application review procedure for UDC applications is outlined in UDC Section 43.06.43.B (text amendments) and UDC Section 43.06.44.B (map amendments). The specifics may vary project to project, and the Planning and Zoning Department can help guide you through the process. A general summary is below. 

1. Submit Application    
2. Planning Commission Public Hearing/Recommendation: The Planning Commission will review the case and make a recommendation on whether or not to approve the amendment at a public hearing
3. City Council Public Hearing/Decision: At another public hearing, the City Council will review all of the relevant information and make the final decision on whether or not to approve the amendment

Appeals: Any person aggrieved by a decision of the City Council may seek relief therefrom in any court of competent jurisdiction as provided by laws of the state (UDC Section 43.06.13.J).

Note: For text amendments, notice must be given to property owners within 350 feet of the land in question and a public notice will be posted in the City-designated newspaper at least 10 days prior to each hearing. For map amendments, only a published public notice is required.

Variances provide relief to the applicants when there are practical difficulties in the strict application of the UDC in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 462.357, as long as the requests are reasonable, do not negative community impacts, and maintain the values of the zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan. 

See the "Before You Start" tab for general application information.

Application and Fees

Applications

• Variance Application (PDF)

Fees

Resources and Reference Material

• UDC Section 43.06.27 explains the procedure and stipulations regarding variances. 

Application Review Process

The general application review procedure for variance applications is outlined in UDC Section 43.06.27.B. The specifics may vary project to project, and the Planning and Zoning Department can help guide you through the process. A general summary is below. 

1. Submit Application
2. Board of Adjustment Public Hearing/Decision: The commission will review the case and make a decision on whether or not to approve the amendment

Appeals: Any party in interest aggrieved by the Planning Commission's decision may appeal to the City Council within 10 days after the date of the decision. See the "City Council Appeal" tab for more information.

Note: For variances, notice must be given to property owners within 150 feet of the land in question and a public notice will be posted in the City-designated newspaper at least 10 days prior to each hearing.

The State of Minnesota established the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) to minimize the impact that development has on wetlands. All parties who want to do any draining, excavating, or filling must avoid the impact or minimize it to all extent possible. Prior to starting a project, parties must submit a wetland application to get approval.

As a Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act Local Government Unit, the City handles wetland applications and is responsible to implement the state regulations set forth in State Statute Chapter 8420.

See the "Before You Start" tab for general application information.

Resources and Reference Material

•  State Statute Chapter 8420 explains the State's Wetland Conservation Act and contains all related regulations and procedures.
• UDC Section 43.06.51 explains the wetland/WCA determination procedure for the City of Winona.

Application and Fees

• Wetlands Application Fees (PDF)
• Wetlands Joint Application Form

Application Review Process

The general application review procedure for wetland applications is outlined in UDC Section 43.06.51. The process may vary project to project, and the Planning and Zoning Department can help guide you through the process. A general summary is below. 

For exemptions, no loss, and wetland boundary or type determinations

1. Pre-application Meeting (required)    
2. Submit Application     
3. City Planner Review/Decision: The City Council will review all of the relevant information and make the final decision on whether or not to approve the application. They also may defer the decision to the City Council.

Appeals: An appeal of the City Planner's decision to the City Council may be initiated by the landowner, by any of those required to receive notice of the decision, or by petition of 100 residents of the county in which a majority of the wetland is located within 30 days of the decision. See the "City Council Appeals" tab for more information.

For replacement and banking plan determinations

1. Pre-application Meeting (required)    
2. Submit Application     
3. City Council Review/Decision: The City Council will review all of the relevant information and make the final decision on whether or not to approve the application.

Appeals: Any person aggrieved by a decision of the City Council may seek relief therefrom in any court of competent jurisdiction as provided by laws of the state (UDC Section 43.06.13.J).