Lawn Maintenance

Weeds & Grass

Weeds and grass are not permitted to grow higher than 12 inches. If they do, the city may have them cut at the property owner’s expense. Questions about weeds should be directed to the Planning Department at 952 447-9810.

Water Usage

Watering Restrictions
From May 1 through Sept. 1, outside sprinkling, irrigation, car-washing and other non-essential outdoor use of the municipal water system may occur only on an odd/even basis before 11 a.m. or after
5 p.m. Residents with an even house number may water lawns or use an outside hose before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m. only on even-numbered calendar days. Residents with an odd house number may water lawns or use an outside hose before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m. only on odd-numbered calendar days. Exceptions are made for newly seeded or sod lawns within the first 30 days of placement. Please call 952-440-9675 to request a permit to water outside of the above designated times. Private wells are exempt from these restrictions.

Impact of Swimming Pools
For monetary savings, residents should delay filling their swimming pools until after May 21 because of the manner in which water bills are calculated. Call the water billing office at 952-440-9675 with any questions.

Winter Regulations

Snow Removal
To facilitate snow and ice removal, parking is not allowed on
city streets between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. daily, beginning Nov. 1 and ending March 31. Violators will be ticketed. Streets, alleys and municipal parking lots are usually plowed within 24 hours after a snowfall. Major thoroughfares and collectors streets are given priority, followed by residential streets and alleys.
Sidewalks/Fire Hydrants
From a liability perspective and in consideration of guests and customers, property owners are responsible for shoveling sidewalks and clearing snow from around fire hydrants. Sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice.

Nuisance Control

Noise/Odor Ordinance
Generally, noise that can disturb others in a residential area should not occur before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any noise that is a potential health hazard or nuisance is prohibited. This includes excessive noise from vehicles, animals, stereos, musical instruments and combustion engines.
Snowblowers are exempt from the noise ordinance, but residents are asked to use common sense and neighborly courtesy.
Lawn mowers and other power equipment, including construction tools, may be operated from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Snowmobile Operation
Snowmobiles may be operated from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and New Year’s Eve. When operating on private property (other than marked trails), snowmobilers must have written permission of the property owners in their possession.
Unless otherwise stated, operation on public property may not occur within 100 feet of fishermen, skating areas, sliding areas, or other areas where snowmobile operation would conflict with the general use of the area or in parks except for a very limited area on the lakefront. Snowmobiles are limited in the downtown area for safety and to preserve street scaping. Call the Police Department at 952-440-3555 for more information.

City Licenses & Permits

Building Permits

Prior Lake City Hall 952-447-9850
Building permits are required for most projects including decks, finished basements, wood stoves, fireplaces, water softener, furnace, air conditioning and demolition. The department also registers plumbing contractors. For residents’ convenience, it also offers free information sheets that list useful tips regarding fences, decks, landscaping and more.

Pet Licenses

Prior Lake City Hall 952-447-9840
Pet licenses are required and must be renewed every two years. Pets must wear the license tag around their necks. The fee is $20 (two-year license) for non-spayed/non-neutered, and $10 (two-year license)for spayed/neutered. No license will be issued unless the owner can provide current documentation that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.
There is a limit of three dogs and/or cats per household, unless the owner has obtained a kennel permit. All dogs and cats are required to be on a leash in all cases when the animal is not on the owner’s property. Problems associated with barking dogs or animals running at large should be referred to:
4-PAWS Animal Control 952-894-9065
Prior Lake Police Dept. 952-440-3555

The animal control agency has a list of pets that have been impounded. Call to check if your lost pet is on the list. Animals are gnerally kept for only 10 days and there is a daily charge.

Other Permits & Licenses

The city also has other license and permit requirements. Gambling, liquor, masseuse, refuse and cigarette licenses may be applied for from the Finance Department. Solicitor and outdoor concert permits are obtained through the Police Department.

Other Requirements

Fence Construction
A building permit is not required, but in order to ensure certain criteria are met, the Planning Department issues a fence permit free of charge. The maximum height is 6 feet. Fences must be on the property of the owner building it, and they cannot be placed on public right-of-way. Privacy fences are not allowed in front yards and all fences must be kept in good maintenance. A fence handout is available from the Building and Planning Departments.

Address Numbers
House numbers are required. They must be posted on the building where the front entrance is located, clearly visible from the street with vivid and sharp contrast to their background.

Garage Sales
Garage sale signs are not regulated, except that they are prohibited on utility poles and in the public right of way. Generally the right of way for a residential street is 10 feet behind each curb. For larger roadways, the telephone poles may be regarded as the beginning of the right of way. Garage sale signs should not cause pedestrian or vehicular traffic problems and good neighborliness should be maintained.

Block Parties/Outdoor Concerts
If you plan a block party or outdoor concert, please contact the Police Department at 952-440-3555 for assistance at least 30 days prior to the event. Outdoor concert permits are required.

Docks
Only one dock to a property is permitted. Please be a good neighbor and locate your dock so it does not conflict with a neighbor’s or block sight lines. No more than five boats may be kept on each residential dock.

General City Info

Capital Improvement Program
A key tool in the city’s long-range planning is its Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which contains information about proposed capital projects, the proposed timeline for completion and funding sources. Approved in June 2006, the CIP for 2007-2011 calls for $21 million in improvements around Prior Lake next year, highlighted by the construction of a satellite fire station and water treatment plant, the drilling of well No. 10, the reconstruction of County Road 82 as well as the reconstruction of intersections at Hwy. 13/County Road 12 and the installation of signal lights at County Rd. 21/Fish Point Road. Nearly $59 million in improvements are contemplated for the period 2007-2011. To download the complete CIP, visit the city’s Web site at www.cityofpriorlake.com.

Community Development
Contact Community Development Director Paul Snook at 952-447-9805 or by e-mail at psnook@cityofpriorlake.com. He has many tools and information available to assist residents, including possible site locations, reference materials, finance information, incentives, state and federal financing options, business planning tools and more.

Boat Accesses & Slips
There are two summer boat accesses on Prior Lake — the Sand Point Beach access at 14377 Crest Ave. N.E., and the Dewitte access at 16800 Dewitte Ave. S.W. For more information about lake access, rules, and regulations, please contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at 952-772-7937.
In 2005, 18 boat slips were added at Watzl’s Point Beach in Lakefront Park. Of the 18 slips, 17 are available for public use — eight through a reservation system administered by the city (952-447-9820) and the remaining nine on a first-come, first-served basis. The 18th slip is reserved for law enforcement water vehicles.

Web Site
If you’re looking for more information about the City of Prior Lake, you’ll find it on the city’s Web site at www.cityofpriorlake.com. From park and trail information to agendas, transit information, job postings and more, this site has information for every resident. For more information, contact Communications Coordinator Michael Peterson at 952-447-9804.

City News Service
If you’re looking for summaries of city council decisions or information about the city’s cable channel, or would like to receive regular announcements about the latest city news, add your name to the city’s free e-mail distribution list. Send an e-mail to: mtpeterson@cityofpriorlake.com, with the word “subscribe” in the subject line to begin receiving the updates or log on to www.cityofpriorlake.com to subscribe.