Permits
Use the tabbed menu below to access the Washington County permit applications that are available.
Please note - for home improvement permits, or on private property, please contact the city or township in which the property is located. For septic systems, please contact the Department of Public Health & Environment.
An Access Permit is required for any new driveway, field entrance, street or commercial access on a Washington County road or for a change in use of an existing access.
Permit Application shall be submitted 30 days prior to start of work - additional time may be required if plan revisions are needed.
| Access Permit Fees | |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Field Access | $150 |
| Residential Driveway | $150 |
| Commercial Access | $500 |
| Street Access | $500 |
In addition to the applicable fee, a refundable deposit is required, based on the scope of work.
Culverts
- A culvert pipe is generally required unless curb is present.
- The permit holder is required to provide a pipe that meets County standards.
Plan Submission
- Access Permit Application
- Right of Way Occupancy Registration Form (with Certificate of Liability - Acord 25 Form) from the Contractor performing the work
- When applying for an Access Permit, please include a drawing of the site.
- For a simple driveway, a line drawing is sufficient
- For a commercial access, the County will need to review the plans for the development and may require a traffic study
- Generally, if access is available from a local street, the County will NOT permit direct access to the County Road
A Right of Way Permit is required when hosting an event on Washington County highways.
Permit application, forms, and plans shall be submitted 30 days prior to event. Additional time may be required if plan revisions are needed.
A completed permit application includes:
- Right of Way Permit Application - Event
- Right of Way Occupancy Registration Form (with Certificate of Liability - Acord 25 Form)
- Permit Fee - $100
Right of Way Permits are Required For
- Utility Installations (including private sewer and water connections)
- Grading in County right-of-way
- Work which obstructs the right-of-way
- All utility companies performing maintenance on their facility
- Host a parade, race, or event - See 'Events' tab for Application and Forms
Permit Application shall be submitted 30 days prior to road closure, or 14 days prior to activity not requiring road closure. Additional time may be required if plan revisions are needed.
A completed permit application includes:
- Right of Way Permit Application
- Form fields should not be left blank
- Requirements for Right of Way Permits form (attached page 2)
- Location map and/or plans included
- Temporary Traffic Control plan or MN MUTCD Field Manual Layout indicated (if requesting obstruction/closure)
- Right of Way Occupancy Registration Form (with Certificate of Liability - Acord 25 Form)
| Right of Way Permit Fees | |
|---|---|
| Utility Service Lateral | $25 |
| Annual Maintenance | $100 |
| All Others | $100 per 1/8 mile or fraction there of |
In addition to the applicable fees, a REFUNDABLE deposit (amount is determined on a case-by-case basis) or bond may be required.
Transportation Permit Application - Required for any oversized and/or overweight vehicle/load that is transported on a Washington County road.
Please allow up to two business days for processing a complete application.
- Legal weights are generally 9 or 10 tons per axle, but weight restrictions may be in place on particular roads.
- The 9 or 10 ton standard is also modified by the distance between axles and may be less when axles are closely spaced.
- Spring load limits place temporary weight limits on many roads.
Single Trip Permit - should include a copy of state permit if movement includes state highways.
Single Vehicle Annual Permit - Complete Section B, attach state annual and/or equipment list, if applicable.
Multi Vehicle Annual Permit - Omit Section B, attach state annual and equipment list; add unit number and heaviest axle weight on each state permit.
Statutory Exempt Overweight Transportation Permit - only for Annual Road Construction Material
- Preferred Routes Exemption
- Legal axle groupings per MNDOT Statue 169.869:
- Gross weight not to exceed 90,000/6 axles
- Gross weight not to exceed 97,000/7 axles
Transportation Permits are required whenever any of the following legal dimensions are exceeded.
| Maximum Legal Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Overall Width | 9' 0" |
| Overall Height | 13' 6" |
| Overall Length (single unit vehicle) | 40' 0" |
| Overall Length (combination vehicle) | 75' 0" |
| Transportation Permit Fees | |
|---|---|
| Single Trip | $25 per unit |
| Annual | $100 per unit |
Regional Rail Access/Access Crossing Permit - please allow two weeks for processing.
Regional Rail Right of Way Permit - please allow two weeks for processing.
Gopher State One Call Requirements
Excavators (including homeowners), throughout Minnesota are responsible for notifying Gopher State One Call of their proposed excavations. The call center will notify participating underground facility operators, so they can mark the location of their facilities. If you are a contractor working for a homeowner, it is your responsibility to read the Gopher State One Call Handbook. You can notify Gopher State One Call on their website or by calling 651-454-0002.