An Access Permit is required for any  new field entrance, driveway, commercial/construction access, or private/public street to a Washington County highway, or for a modification (ex. paving), or change-in-use of an existing access (ex. a field entrance becoming a residential driveway). 

Permit Application shall be submitted 30 days prior to start of work - additional time may be required if plan revisions are needed.

In addition to the applicable fee, a refundable deposit is required, based on the scope of work. For commercial/construction access, please contact Washington County Public Works to determine deposit amount required.

Washington County Standard Plans

• Driveway and Sidewalk Details
• Rural Entrances and Approaches

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

• Right of Way Occupancy Registration Form (PDF) (with Certificate of Liability - Acord 25 Form) from the Contractor performing the work
  • One-time registration
  • Certificate of Liability Insurance (Acord 25 Form) 
    • Required at time of registration
    • Submitted annually at time of policy renewal
    • Washington County included as Additional Insured
    • An Excess or Umbrella Liability Policy may be used in conjunction with Primary Coverage limits to meet the minimum limit requirements
    • Required minimum level of coverage:
      • $1,500,000 Each Occurrence
      • $3,000,000 General Aggregate
      • $3,000,000 Products and Completed Operations Aggregate
• Access Permit Application (PDF) 
• 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.

Those occupying, using, or seeking to occupy or use the right-of-way, or place any equipment or facilities in the right-of-way, must be registered with Washington County.

Right of Way Occupancy Registration Form (PDF)

• One-time registration
• Commercial General Liability Coverage - Certificate of Liability Insurance (Acord 25 Form) 
  • Required at time of registration
  • Submitted annually at time of policy renewal
  • Policy should be written on an occurrence basis, not a claims-made basis
  • Washington County included as Additional Insured
  • An Excess or Umbrella Liability Policy may be used in conjunction with Primary Coverage limits to meet the minimum limit requirements
  • Required minimum level of coverage:
    • $1,500,000 Each Occurrence
    • $500,000 Per Claimant

Permit application, forms, and plans shall be submitted at least 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 (PDF)
• 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 above for Application and Forms

Those occupying, using, or seeking to occupy or use the right-of-way, or place any equipment or facilities in the right-of-way, must be registered with Washington County.

Right of Way Occupancy Registration Form (PDF)

• One-time registration
• Certificate of Liability Insurance (Acord 25 Form) 
  • Required at time of registration
  • Submitted annually at time of policy renewal
  • Washington County included as Additional Insured
  • An Excess or Umbrella Liability Policy may be used in conjunction with Primary Coverage limits to meet the minimum limit requirements
  • Required minimum level of coverage:
    • $1,500,000 Each Occurrence
    • $3,000,000 General Aggregate
    • $3,000,000 Products and Completed Operations Aggregate

When applying for a permit, please click on the following links for information related to working in Washington County right-of-way.

• 2023 Utility Meeting PowerPoint (PDF) - March 15, 2023
• Temporary Traffic Control & Work Zone Safety (PDF)
• Temporary Traffic Control Device Inspection & Removal (PDF)
• Spring Weight Restrictions Map (PDF)

Permit Application shall be submitted at least 30 days prior to road closure, or at least 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 & Requirements Form (PDF) 
• Location Map
• Sketch/Plans
• Temporary Traffic Control plan or MN MUTCD Field Manual Layout indicated (if requesting obstruction/closure/detour)

In addition to the applicable fees, a REFUNDABLE deposit (amount is determined on a case-by-case basis) or bond may be required. 

Spring Weight Restrictions Information & Fact Sheet (PDF)

2023 Spring Weight Restrictions Map (PDF)

• 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. 

Please allow up to two business days for processing a complete application.

Transportation Permit Application (PDF) - Required for any oversized and/or overweight vehicle/load that is transported on a Washington County road. 

Commercial General Liability Coverage - Certificate of Liability Insurance (Acord 25 Form) 

• Submitted annually at time of policy renewal
• Policy should be written on an occurrence basis, not a claims-made basis
• Member will be included as Additional Insured
• An Excess or Umbrella Liability Policy may be used in conjunction with Primary Coverage limits to meet the minimum limit requirements
• Required minimum level of coverage:
  • $1,500,000 Each Occurrence
  • $3,000,000 General Aggregate
  • $3,000,000 Products and Completed Operations Aggregate

Statutory Exempt Overweight Transportation Permit (PDF)  - only for Annual Road Construction Material 

• Preferred Routes Exemption (PDF)
• 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.

Regional Rail Access/Access Crossing Permit (PDF) - please allow two weeks for processing.

Regional Railroad Authority Right of Way Permits are required for:

• Utility Installations (including private sewer and water connections)
• Grading in Regional Railroad Authority right-of-way
• Work which obstructs the right-of-way
• All utility companies performing maintenance on their facility

Those occupying, using, or seeking to occupy or use the right-of-way, or place any equipment or facilities in the right-of-way, must be registered with Washington County.

Right of Way Occupancy Registration Form (PDF)

• One-time registration
• Certificate of Liability Insurance (Acord 25 Form) 
  • Required at time of registration
  • Submitted annually at time of policy renewal
  • Washington County included as Additional Insured
  • An Excess or Umbrella Liability Policy may be used in conjunction with Primary Coverage limits to meet the minimum limit requirements
  • Required minimum level of coverage:
    • $1,500,000 Each Occurrence
    • $3,000,000 General Aggregate
    • $3,000,000 Products and Completed Operations Aggregate

When applying for a permit, please click on the following links for information related to working in Washington County right-of-way.

• 2023 Utility Meeting PowerPoint (PDF) - March 15, 2023
• Temporary Traffic Control & Work Zone Safety (PDF)
• Temporary Traffic Control Device Inspection & Removal (PDF)

Permit Application shall be submitted at least 30 days prior to road closure, or at least 14 days prior to activity not requiring road closure. Additional time may be required if plan revisions are needed.

A completed permit application includes:

• Regional Railroad Authority Right of Way Permit (PDF)
• Location Map
• Sketch/Plans
• Temporary Traffic Control plan or MN MUTCD Field Manual Layout indicated (if requesting obstruction/closure/detour)

Weed Control/No Mowing Agreement (PDF)

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.

• GSOC Ticket Locate Request Form (PDF)
• Excavator and Operator Notice (PDF)
• MN Statute 216D Excavation Notice System (PDF)
• MN Rule 7560 Office of Pipeline Safety Excavation Notice System (PDF)