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Permit for temporary structures

You must have a permit to install a temporary water or ice structure:

  • Buoys for mooring or swimming
  • Floating rafts
  • Slalom course
  • Ice rink
  • Other structure for use on water or ice

Application process

Step 1

Fill out a separate application for each structure. Make an accurate diagram on your application. We inspect your structure by boat so don’t use street address in the diagram.

Temporary structure permit application (PDF) View

Step 2

Submit your application and any required permission letters.

By email:
Scan all pages and email to sheriff.waterpatrol@hennepin.us

By U.S. mail:
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Water patrol unit
4141 Shoreline Drive
Spring Park, MN 55384

Step 3

You will get an email with your permit number. Put this number on the structure using 2-inch numerals. Once you do this, you can put your structure in the water.

Step 4

Notify us by email that your structure is ready to inspect, at sheriff.waterpatrol@hennepin.us.

Step 5

The inspecting deputy may inspect the structure. The deputy will identify your structure by the permit number.

Step 6

Notify us if:

  • You plan to put the structure in a different location
  • You no longer plan to use the structure
  • You move

Requirements for different types of permits

Mooring buoy permit

  • Good for 3 years
  • Must renew sooner if:
    • You change your address or location of buoy
    • The landowner no longer gives permission
  • Remove buoy by December 15 or put the buoy portion under ice surface

Ski jump ramp permit

  • Good for 1 year
  • Must reapply every year
  • Remove ramp by December 15

Skating rink permit

  • Good for 1 year
  • Must reapply every year
  • Remove rink by March 15

Slalom course permit

  • Good for 1 year
  • Must reapply every year

Swimming area permit

  • Good for 1 year
  • Must reapply every year
  • Remove markers by November 1

Swimming raft permit

  • Good for 2 years
  • Renew permit sooner if:
    • You change your address or location of swim raft
    • The landowner no longer gives permission
  • Remove raft every year by November 1
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