The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) Office of Aeronautics has initiated a comment period on its regulations for airport zoning in the state. These regulations establish the parameters within which airport zoning boards or other local municipalities adopt zoning controls directly tied to a local airport, which can have an impact on residential construction and other forms of construction around airports.

MNDOT says the proposed amendments to existing regulations will bring the zoning control standards into conformance with statutory changes made in recent years and provide greater flexibility to municipalities.

In addition to updating zoning control regulations, MNDOT is also seeking to introduce rules into state law that outline the funding of airport clear zone acquisition, a program that enhances aviation safety by ensuring compatible land use. MNDOT’s proposal seeks to take its existing standards and codify them into rule.

MNDOT’s comment period on airport zoning regulations is open through April 2022.