The Minnesota Buffer Law (officially known as the "Riparian Buffer Law") was passed in 2015 to protect water quality in Minnesota's lakes, rivers, and streams. It requires landowners to establish vegetated buffers along the state's public waters and ditches to help reduce pollution and prevent soil erosion.

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• Public Waters: Landowners must maintain a buffer of at least 50 feet of perennial vegetation (such as grasses, shrubs, or trees) along the shoreline of public waters, including rivers, lakes, and streams.

• Public Ditches: A 16.5-foot buffer is required along the right-of-way of public drainage ditches.