Land in Fillmore County, MN
Fillmore County is Driftless country. The glaciers missed it, so it's ridges, steep wooded draws, trout streams, and the Root River valley. Preston is the county seat, and Lanesboro, Spring Valley, Harmony, Chatfield, and Rushford are all nearby. It's some of the best-looking ground in the state, and it asks more questions than flat land does.
Photo: Y1997xf11, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Karst matters
Much of Fillmore County sits on karst, limestone bedrock with sinkholes and springs. That affects where you can put a septic system, a well, a building, or a manure structure. Walk the ground and check the maps before you fall in love with a spot.
Who to call
The Fillmore County Land Use Department in Preston handles zoning, floodplain and shoreland rules, septic, and the county feedlot ordinance in one office. Fillmore is a delegated feedlot county, so the county runs the program for most smaller operations.
Common Questions
Why does karst matter on Fillmore County land?
Much of Fillmore County sits on karst, limestone bedrock with sinkholes and springs. That affects where you can put a septic system, a well, a building or a manure structure, so walk the ground and check the maps first.
Who do I call about zoning and septic in Fillmore County?
The Fillmore County Land Use Department in Preston handles zoning, floodplain and shoreland rules, septic, and the county feedlot ordinance in one office.
What I look at here
✓ Sinkholes, springs, and slope
✓ Floodplain and shoreland near the Root River and trout streams
✓ Access. Ridge-top roads and long driveways can be tricky in winter.
✓ Timber, open fields, and how they fit hunting or building
✓ Nearby public land, like units of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
County rules and details on this page are summarized from official county sources and can change. Always confirm with the county office before you buy. Last updated: October 2026.
If you want to talk through a piece of land, buying or selling, use the form below.
