The Environmental Services Department provides services for the protection of public health and the environment. These services include waste disposal, recycling, composting, hazardous waste treatment, and water testing. The Environmental Department, together with the Zoning Office, enforces regulations including septic systems, storm water management, Shoreland use, wetland conservation, and solid waste disposal.

The Zoning Office is responsible for regulating land use through administration and enforcement of the Dodge County Zoning Ordinance, Dodge County Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance, and the Dodge County Comprehensive Land Use Plan.  The office is also responsible for feedlot assistance.

Zoning duties include, but are not limited to, receiving and reviewing land use applications, including Zoning Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Interim Use Permits, Variance requests, Amendment requests and Appeals.  Staff also receive and review septic permits, perform soil verifications and inspections of new sewage treatment systems.  In addition, zoning staff provide regulatory information and education on special areas such as floodplains, shorelands and wetlands.   The office also investigates land use complaints and violations and pursues compliance with zoning regulations, septic regulations and permit conditions.     

The Environmental and Zoning Offices have combined to provide customers a one stop location for services related to land use and the environment. 

Production Tax:
The Minnesota Department of Revenue administers the Solar Energy Production Tax and Wind Energy Production Tax. The Energy Production Tax report is due January 15 annually. For detailed information about the energy production taxes, visit our webpages Solar Energy Production Tax and Wind Energy Production Tax.

NEWS UPDATES:

Dodge County was selected by the MPCA for $500,000 of grant funds through the Minnesota Environmental And Natural Resources Trust Fund to upgrade failing septic systems in order to protect groundwater. Click here to review the application for additional information and qualifications, or call 507-635-6272.

THE GREATER ZUMBRO RIVER WATERSHED STORYBOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!

Check out the Waste Wizard on the Garbage and Recycling Page!

Waste-to-Energy Service Fee Increase effective January 1, 2023. See Fact Sheet.