Coon Rapids, MN

Coon Rapids splits driveway permitting between two departments depending on the scope of work. New driveway construction or major modifications on private property are reviewed by Building Inspections as a Driveway Permit. Curb cuts, curb and gutter modifications, and any other work inside the public right-of-way are reviewed by the Engineering Department as a Right-of-Way Permit. Many projects need both. The right-of-way in Coon Rapids includes the street and extends approximately 10 to 15 feet beyond the curb, so even work that looks like it's on private property can fall inside the ROW depending on lot geometry. Driveway replacement or widening without changing the curb may still need a ROW permit; reconstruction with curb/gutter changes always does.

The driveway permit fee is $100 under the 2026 Coon Rapids Fee Schedule. Effective April 14, 2025, all credit card transactions incur a 2.95% service fee and ACH payments are 2.50%; pay by check at the Engineering counter to avoid the surcharge. ROW permit fees are governed by City Code 10-213 and are also in the published fee schedule. Gravel driveways are not permitted — driveways must be concrete, asphalt, or another approved hard surface.

For properties in the LDR-2 zoning district, the maximum driveway width is 40 feet, except that if the garage is wider than 40 feet, the driveway width can match the garage width. Lot coverage caps also apply: no more than 30% of the entire property can be covered by buildings, driveways, and parking areas, and no more than 50% of the lot located between the house/garage and the front property line can be covered. As part of the permit process, a city employee will mark the location of the water shut-off (curb stop) on your property — it's against city ordinance to pour or pave over the curb stop, and it's the contractor's or owner's responsibility to ensure the curb stop is located and a cover is provided before the pour.

Applications are accepted via email, in person at City Hall, or by U.S. Mail at Building Inspections, 11155 Robinson Drive, Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Coon Rapids also accepts online permit applications via the BS&A Online portal. Contractors must have a valid state license and be registered with the city to use the online portal; homeowners can use it too but aren't required to register. Once the permit is processed, Building Inspections sends an email with a payment link. Allow at least 24 hours for email replies during business hours.

A final inspection is required once your project is finished — call 763-767-6476 with your permit number to schedule. All disturbed areas in the right-of-way must be backfilled and stabilized (sodded, mulched, or seeded), and any damaged curbs, concrete, or pavement must be replaced in-kind to match the original specifications. Building Inspections can be reached at 763-767-6476 or buildinginsp@coonrapidsmn.gov. The Engineering Department, which handles ROW permits, is at the same building and reachable at 763-755-2880.