Permit Information

Obtaining a Permit

New: The State of Minnesota, Department of Labor and Industry, has notified Crow Wing County that the County must enforce Minnesota State Statute 326B.85 requiring that no land use permit may be issued to an unlicensed contractor. Policy Number 2014-04 (PDF) Opens a New Window. 

Crow Wing County Land Services, has an online permitting website where landowners can apply for a land use permit, within the jurisdiction of Crow Wing County or request a free site visit, all online. The land use classification Opens a New Window.  can also be obtained online.

The online permitting factsheet (PDF) outlines all the information for you. For previous permits obtained on your property, Opens a New Window.  those documents can be obtained online also.

Excavation Notice Chapter 216D (PDF) Opens a New Window. 

Excavation Notice Chapter 7560 (PDF) Opens a New Window. 

Forms & Information

The following forms and information will assist you in obtaining a land use permit. If you have questions, please contact the Environmental Services office at 218-824-1010.

• Authorized agent form (PDF) Opens a New Window. 
• Commercial application Opens a New Window. 
• Environmental Services Specialist Zones (PDF) Opens a New Window. 
• Excavation Notice System Chapter 216D (PDF) Opens a New Window. 
•  Opens a New Window. Excavation Notice System Chapter 7560 (PDF) Opens a New Window. 
•  Opens a New Window. Fee schedule (PDF)
• Impervious Surface / Stormwater Calculator (PDF) Opens a New Window. 
• Land use application Opens a New Window. 
• Landscaping for Stormwater Packet (PDF) Opens a New Window. 
•  Opens a New Window. Lot and structure information (PDF) Opens a New Window. 
• Online Permit Application  Opens a New Window. 
• Shoreland alteration application  Opens a New Window. 
• Site plan example (PDF) Opens a New Window. 

2021 Land Use Workshop

The 2021 workshop was held on April 23rd via Microsoft Teams. Below is the YouTube link to the recorded workshop. 

Recording of Workshop

Workshop Agenda

The following timeline will assist you in viewing certain topics that are of value to you. 

0:00 Introduction

24:20 Residential stormwater management requirements in Crow Wing County

1:15:35 Building and buying in floodplain areas (FEMA regulations)

1:34:23 Dirt moving and other shoreland rules & regulations

1:54:07 Public hearing process overview

2:06:28 GIS Interactive map review

2:15:08 Land Use Ordinance revisions

2:45:12 SWCD/DNR/Other grants

Agricultural Building

An Agricultural Building requires a permit, which requires that 50% or more of the building must be used to support either silvicultural or agricultural animal husbandry activities.

Gazebo

A detached, standalone structure in which purpose and appearance is similar to a screened porch or open porch.

Note: If a gazebo is equal to or less than 120 square feet, it may be permitted inside of the OHW setback as a water oriented accessory structure with a shore land alteration permit.

Guest Cottage

A Guest Cottage is defined as a structure used as a dwelling unit that may contain sleeping spaces and kitchen and bathroom facilities in addition to those provided in the primary dwelling unit on a lot.

Guest Quarters

Guest Quarters is defined as an accessory structure that contains a dwelling unit that may contain sleeping spaces and/or kitchen and/or bathroom facilities in addition to those provided in the primary dwelling unit on a lot.

Maximum Guest Quarters / Cottage size in square feet: 700 square feet for properties located in the Shoreland District

900 square feet for properties located in the Agricultural / Forestry District, Rural Residential Districts, and Commercial Districts 1 and 2.