Elk River, MN

Elk River requires a Building Permit for installing a new driveway in concrete or asphalt, replacing an existing driveway, or making significant modifications. Driveways less than 30 inches above adjacent grade are exempt, as is sealcoating maintenance. Approved driveway surfaces include asphalt, concrete, Class 5 gravel, and crushed rock; coal tar sealers are prohibited. Driveways cannot be closer than 5 feet to a property line.

The city's permitting process is unusually fast. Applications are processed in the order received and usually approved within 1-2 business days. After approval, you'll be contacted for payment information; once the fee is paid, the permit, inspection card, receipt, and approved plans are emailed to you (and stored on your online portal account). Work may begin once you have the permit. Permits expire 180 days after issuance if no work is started and no inspections have been called in. Apply online via the city's permit portal at elkrivermn.gov/1443/Permit-Process or in person at City Hall.

A driveway curb cut involves work in the city right-of-way, which typically requires both a building/right-of-way permit and Engineering Division review. The right-of-way is generally 10 feet from the curb into a yard. Vehicles and trailers must be parked on an approved surface, and structures must be on private property — not in the right-of-way. Specific curb cut and right-of-way permit fees were not published in the indexed pages of elkrivermn.gov; call Building Safety at 763-635-1060 or Engineering at 763-635-1000 to confirm the current 2025-2026 fee. The full Permit Requirements Table is at elkrivermn.gov/1804/Permit-Requirements-Table, and the fee schedule is published with the Permits & Licensing page.

Driveway width and setback specifics are governed by Elk River's City Code (Zoning Ordinance), available at library.municode.com/mn/elk_river. If you're unsure whether your specific project requires a permit, call Building Safety and describe the work — staff will tell you whether it's regulated and what permit you need. If a contractor is doing the work, the contractor should pull the required permits; homeowners should verify the contractor has a license or bond from the State of Minnesota before signing a contract.

For inspections, contact the Building Safety Division Front Desk at 763-635-1060 with at least 24 hours of advance notice — same-day inspections are not available. Before a final inspection can pass, all prior listed inspections must pass first; the inspection card lists them in the proper order. The Building Safety Division is at 13065 Orono Parkway NW, Elk River, MN 55330. Walk-in 'Ask an Inspector' windows are Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. and at 4:00 p.m.; call ahead for other hours. The general City Hall line is 763-635-1000. If your property is in Sherburne County but not inside Elk River city limits, the Sherburne County Building Permit Office is at 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Suite 100, Elk River, with phone 763-765-4450, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.