Implementation

Local governments must include an implementation plan as part of their comprehensive plan. This section explains how your community will achieve the goals outlined in your plan and when infrastructure investments will occur.

  • Plan Implementation: Describe local ordinances, policies, public programs, and capital improvement plans that ensure plan objectives are met and public infrastructure is protected.
  • Official Controls: Include locally adopted ordinances, policies, design guidelines, fiscal tools, and other regulations that guide development decisions and support implementation of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
  • Updates and Alignment: Review and revise official controls as needed to remove conflicts with new policy direction outlined in MN Statute 473.865.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum requirements are the baseline elements every community must include in their comprehensive plan. They ensure consistency and compliance with state law, and alignment with regional policy. These requirements create a foundation that allows local plans to reflect community priorities while supporting regional goals. For more information about minimum requirements, click here.

Using the table

  • Filter: by community, policy topic area, or explore new/updated requirements for the 2050 planning cycle.
  • Ref No: Each requirement has a unique identifier. Gaps in numbering mean certain regional requirements do not apply to your community.
  • Resources: provides tools, guides, and resources to help meet each requirement. Some requirements may appear more than once if multiple resources are available.

Your complete list of minimum requirements can also be downloaded directly from your Community Page.

 

Going Beyond the Minimum Requirements

Meeting the minimum requirements ensures that a comprehensive plan is complete and compliant, but communities that go further can create plans that are truly transformative. By moving beyond the basics, local governments can reflect local priorities, prepare for future challenges, and enhance the unique character of their communities while advancing equity, resilience, and quality of life for all residents. This section offers resources, advice, and best practices to help communities strengthen their plans and set a course toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant future. 

  • Include Implementation Plans for other plan elements that may not be required. This approach will allow you to create action items for your entire plan as a whole and creates a local work plan to execute goals and objectives for your entire plan.
  • Consider collaborating across departments and sectors, including local and state agencies to help identify and implement strategies in the comprehensive plan.