Hanover, MN

Hanover runs a small-city permitting process where City Hall is the front door for paperwork but the engineering and inspection work is performed by outside professionals. The City Planner and City Engineer review every driveway permit application before it goes to the Building Inspector for approval. Building inspections themselves are contracted to Metro West Inspection Services of Loretto. Permits are administered through City Hall, but building code questions and reviews come from Metro West directly.

A permit is required for new driveway construction, replacement or reconstruction of an existing driveway, and significant driveway modifications. Sealcoating and routine maintenance do not require a permit. The submittal requirements are clear: a completed building permit application, two copies or sets of plans for the project, and two copies of the project on a survey if applicable. If you need a survey and one is on file with the city, City Hall can email it to you on request. Submit materials by email to cityhall@ci.hanover.mn.us, by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope, or in person at City Hall.

The City of Hanover does not publish a standalone curb-cut/driveway permit fee schedule or detailed driveway width and setback standards on its public website — this is common for small Minnesota cities, where fees are set by City Council resolution and updated periodically. Call 763-497-3777 to get the current fee, the application form, and the specific zoning rules for your parcel. When you call, ask specifically: whether you need a separate right-of-way/curb cut permit in addition to a building or zoning permit; the minimum setback from the property line for a new driveway approach; whether an engineered plan is required or a site sketch will suffice; and whether Wright County Highway approval is needed if the property is on a county road.

Construction hours in Hanover run from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and apply to all work covered by a permit. If your driveway accesses a state trunk highway, an Access/Driveway Permit from MnDOT is required whenever there is a request for change in access to or from a state right-of-way or a change in use of the property. If your driveway accesses a Wright County road rather than a city street, a separate county access permit through Wright County Public Works is required.

City Hall is at 11250 5th Street NE, Hanover, MN. Phone is 763-497-3777, email cityhall@ci.hanover.mn.us. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Metro West Inspection Services (the city's contracted Building Official) handles all inspections at 763-479-1720. Schedule inspections at least 24 hours in advance with your permit number and site address ready. The Building Inspector page is at hanovermn.org under the Building Inspector section. Always call Gopher State One Call at 811 at least 48 hours before any digging — this is required by Minnesota law.