Land Use

Last reviewed May 2026

Minnesota Information

• Center for Transportation Studies - This University of Minnesota department researches regional growth patterns and how it affects transportation infrastructure.
• Metropolitan Council - Several reports on land use planning and development are in the Data & Maps or Publications & Documents sections.
• Minnesota Environmental Quality Board - Many EQB reports touch on land use issues, particularly in their Sustainable Development Initiative section.
• Minnesota Land Trust - A private nonprofit organization working with landowners and communities to protect Minnesota's land and water resources.
• Minnesota chapter, American Planning Association - A non-profit statewide organization involved in planning-related activities on behalf of state and regional agencies, counties, cities, towns, educational institutions and the private sector.
• Sensible Land Use Coalition - The group includes builders, utilities, developers, engineers. It fosters a balanced approach toward issues affecting land use, development, and the environment in Minnesota, with a special focus on the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.
• Sierra Club, Minnesota North Star Chapter - Includes the Land Use and Transportation page
• The Trust for Public Land - Includes Minnesota projects.

Growth Management and Urban Sprawl

• American Farmland Trust - An advocacy organization to protect agricultural lands.
• Center for Applied Transect Studies - Research about the built environment as part of the natural environment.
• Gaining Ground Information Database - From the Pace University Land Use Law Center.
• Lincoln Institute of Land Policy - A nonprofit research organization focused on land use, taxation, and land stewardship.
• Natural Resources Defense Council - Includes a sustainable cities page about sprawl.
• Smart Growth America - An advocacy organization regarding urban sprawl.
• Smart Growth Network - A coalition of private sector, public sector, and non-profit partners seeking to encourage better development decisions.

Property Rights and Takings Issues

• American Land Rights Association - This national political group advocates for private property rights.
• Eminent Domain and Regulatory Takings - A page from the Reason Foundation.
• History of the Federal Use of Eminent Domain -A page from the U.S. DOJ.
• Institute for Justice - A libertarian public law firm with an Eminent Domain page. 

• Property Rights and the Constitution - A page from the CATO Handbook for Policymakers

Tribal Lands

• Maps of Tribal Governments - A page from the Department of Transportation with maps of each of the Tribal lands in Minnesota.
• Treaties - The Minnesota Historical Society explains the treaties for Tribal lands.
• Tribal Nations in Minnesota - The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council has information about each Tribe, including locations.

Other Information

• Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations - An advocacy organization to support metropolitan planning organizations across the country.
• Brownfields - The Northeast-Midwest Institute has published several reports on state efforts to redevelop contaminated industrial sites.
• Land Use Law - From the Cornell Legal Information Institute.
• Land Trust Alliance - The group focuses on private voluntary land conservation programs.
• Scenic America - A group concerned with protecting landscapes.

See also: Eminent Domain.

The sites listed on this page are not created, maintained, or endorsed by the Minnesota Legislature.