Long Lake, MN

Long Lake is a small Hennepin County city that does not have its own in-house building or engineering department. The city contracts building official services through Metro West Inspection Services, and all building permits, right-of-way permits, sign permits, and similar applications can be applied for and paid online via the city's E-Permitting Portal. A permit is required for new driveway installation, driveway replacement or reconstruction, and significant driveway modifications. Sealcoating and minor maintenance are exempt. A driveway or curb cut in the public right-of-way typically falls under a Right-of-Way Permit; contact City Hall to confirm the exact permit type required for your project.

Before applying for any permit, verify your address is actually in Long Lake city limits. Postal districts differ from municipal boundaries, and a Long Lake zip code does not guarantee the property is in Long Lake. Use the Hennepin County Property Information search at gis.hennepin.us and confirm the Municipality field reads 'LONG LAKE.' If your project is in a neighboring city, your permit applications go to a different City Hall, not Long Lake's.

The application package typically requires a detailed site plan illustrating property boundaries, the proposed location, and the dimensions of the curb cut. Account for existing obstructions like fire hydrants, utility poles, and street signs — most codes mandate a minimum separation distance, often between 5 and 7 feet. If a public sidewalk crosses the apron, that segment must adhere to ADA requirements, limiting the cross-slope to a maximum of 2%. The apron must transition smoothly from the street to the driveway, often dictated by a maximum grade of 8% to prevent vehicles from scraping.

Long Lake does not publish its curb-cut and driveway fee schedule online. Permit fees for curb cuts typically range from $50 to $400 in comparable Minnesota cities, covering administrative review and inspections, but Long Lake's specific 2025-2026 figure must be confirmed by City Hall. Call 952-473-6961, extension 1, and ask for Jeanette to confirm permit type, exact fee, and current ordinance requirements. For inspection scheduling and building official questions, call Metro West Inspection Services directly at 763-479-1720. Final inspections are required after completion to verify the construction matches the approved plans and meets all specifications.

Key contacts and reminders: Long Lake City Hall at 952-473-6961, extension 1, with general email jmoeller@longlakemn.gov. Metro West Inspection Services for inspections and Building Official questions at 763-479-1720. Office hours at City Hall are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the office closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. The permits page is at longlakemn.gov/services/page/city-permits-and-licenses. Ignoring the mandatory permitting process can result in significant fines and an order to remove the construction, restoring the curb at the property owner's expense — many municipalities also explicitly prohibit homeowners from performing work in the public right-of-way and require a licensed and bonded contractor. Always call Gopher State One Call at 811 before any digging.