City ordinance requires an encroachment permit for any existing or proposed structure or portion thereof that projects onto, under or over any municipal right of way. The Encroachment Permit gives the permit holder permission to use a specific portion of the right of way until such time as that portion of the right of way is needed by the City of Minneapolis for public purposes. Encroachment Permits are revocable at any time in the interest of public safety.

Read Title 5, Chapter 95, of the City of Minneapolis Code of Ordinances

How to apply for an encroachment permit

Apply using the Encroachment Permit Form 08-2023

Public Works staff will review your request and determine whether the Encroachment Permit should be granted. If the application is approved, you will be sent the following forms:

• An acceptance form in which the property owner agrees to the conditions the City places on the Encroachment Permit
• An insurance endorsement form to be completed by the property owner's insurance agent and returned with a certificate of liability coverage which names the City of Minneapolis as an additional insured party. Our address as additional insured is the mailing address listed in the application above.

When the two items have been submitted to the Department of Public Works, an Encroachment Permit will be issued. If the application is denied, you will be informed regarding your right to appeal, and the procedure by which an appeal may be made.

You must obtain any required Encroachment Permits before obtaining Building Permits. In some cases, review by the Zoning Department, Regulatory Services, Park Board and/or other Public Works departments may be necessary. For leased property, or property being purchased by a Contract for Deed, a letter from the fee owner of the property may be required. 

You don’t need a permit to plant grass or flowers in the boulevard area. But if you want to cover the boulevard with anything else, like rocks, you need a Special Boulevard Cover Permit. If you want to put in a concrete sidewalk, you need a sidewalk construction permit.

How to Apply for a Special Boulevard Cover Permit

1. Apply: Fill out the Special Boulevard Cover Permit application.
   Special Boulevard Cover Permit application
2. Review: Public Works staff will check your application to decide if they should approve it.
3. Approval: If your application is approved, you will get two forms:
   • Acceptance Form: This form shows you agree to follow the city’s rules for the permit.
   • Insurance Endorsement Form: As the property owner, your insurance agent needs to fill this out. Send it back with a certificate of liability coverage, which names the City of Minneapolis as an additional insured party. Use the address from your application as the City’s address.
4. Submit Forms: Send both forms back to the Department of Public Works. Once they receive them, they will issue your permit.
5. Denial: If your application is denied, you will be told how to appeal the decision.
6. Leased or Contract Properties: If you’re leasing the property or buying it through a Contract for Deed, you might need a letter from the property owner.

Banner and Seasonal Decorations Attached to Poles in the Right of Way

Minneapolis ordinance requires a banner permit for attaching banners to poles in the right of way. Banners can be used to identify a historical location place of interest, or an event of public interest taking place within or benefiting the city. They may also be used to promote arts and cultural activities including events, festivals, tourism or civic programs, as well as major sporting events. Banners cannot advertise specific businesses, products, or services. They also cannot advertise or promote political candidates, parties, issues, or messages.

Read Minneapolis Code of Ordinances Title 17 Chapter 449

Apply

To apply, contact the Public Works right-of-way office

Bus Bench Permits are required to place a bench at a bus stop. This permit is obtained by a private contractor. This permit must be reviewed by Sidewalk Inspections and approved by the council member of the ward. City Council grants final approval of this permit.

To apply, please contact your ward council member.

Find your ward or council member

A Right of Entry Permit is required to temporarily use city-owned land.

To apply, contact the Public Works Right-of-Way Office

Locations

A Malls & Plaza Use Permit is required to use or hold an event at the following City owned locations:

• Peavey Plaza
  • Please contact Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District at peaveyplaza@mplsdid.com
• Nicollet Mall
  • Please contact Kristi Haug (Minneapolis DID) at 612-338-3807, or KHaug@minneapolisDID.com
• The Loring Greenway
• The Chicago Mall (between the Guthrie Theater and the Mill City Museum)
  
  • Traffic Control: Permittees are to be aware that access to the Humboldt Lofts Condo’s garage entrance must be maintained at all times. Depending upon the event, the applicant may need to provide traffic control to allow access the Humboldt Lofts garage. The approval process may include the requirement to provide a simple traffic control set-up during the event to maintain garage access. If required, the permittee can arrange for this for a small set-up/usage fee by contacting: Aaron Reser at 612-341-7580.
• Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery
• Other miscellaneous City owned properties

Application process

Apply for the use of city-owned plazas (except Peavey or Nicollet Mall) using the Plaza permit application .

Where to send application

Submit application at least 15 days prior to the requested date.

Send application by email

Send by email or fax. 

Approval or denial

Approval: The city reviews the application to ensure it is complete. Incomplete applications will be returned.

Denial: Permit may be denied for a variety of reasons including scheduling conflicts.

Insurance

• Prior to approval, a bond or insurance may be required before a request is approved. If required, the applicant would submit a Certificate of Insurance from their Insurance company (Acord 25 form).
• If there are questions regarding the need for insurance, contact us. Required insurance must provide liability coverage in the amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) for one claimant and one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for any number of claimants.
• The City of Minneapolis shall be named as a co-certificate holder.

Conditions and restrictions

Other Permits: If the request is approved, it is only for the use of the City property. Applicants are responsible for obtaining any other permits as needed for their event. Additional permits may include:

• Parking permits: if needed, contact Parking Services, Scott Kramer 612-673-2383; or use the Right-of-way-Permitting System to obtain 'lane use' permits. 
  • Roway website
• Noise permits: required for all users using amplified equipment; contact Regulatory Services at 612-673-5817.
• Food and/or beverage permits: contact the Minneapolis Department of Licenses & Consumer Services at 612-673-2080 for further requirements.
• Alcohol: Applicant agrees not to permit the sale or consumption of intoxicating liquors, without first obtaining the appropriate liquor license. Contact Licenses & Consumer Services at 612-673-2080

Claims: Applicant agrees to defend and hold the City harmless from claims, demands, actions or causes of actions, of any nature of character, arising out of, or by reason of conduct of the event authorized by such permit, including attorney fees and all expenses.

Damages: Applicant will indemnify the City for all damages that may result to City property, including any portion of such street, as a result of the event.

Supervision: Applicant will maintain adult supervision of the event or activity at all times.

Clean-up: Applicant will, at no cost to the City, immediately clean up, remove and dispose of all litter or material of any kind, which is placed or left on the site. If the applicant neglects or fails to proceed with the clean up within the three-hour period immediately following the end of the event or activity, or if the cleanup is done in an inadequate manner, the City Engineer is authorized to cleanup and charge the applicant for said cost.