Minneapolis, MN Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- dock, moor, anchor, or launch
- Issued by
- superintendent of parks
- Permit expires
- May 1 following issuance
- Penalty
- petty misdemeanor; up to 90-day ban
- Fee
- dockage fee set by park board
Summary
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board bars boats from landing, launching, docking, mooring, or anchoring along Mississippi River park waters unless the boater holds a special permit issued by the superintendent of parks, with limited exceptions.
Except at locations designated by the park board, no person shall land any boat on park land or launch any boat therefrom or dock, moor or anchor any boat in the waters of the Mississippi River abutting upon or adjoining any park or parkway, except boats belonging to the United States Government, without a special permit from the superintendent of parks as provided for hereinafter. No person shall in any manner tape or secure any boat to any tree, shrub, post or other object in or on any park or parkway without a special permit from the superintendent of parks as provided for hereinafter. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 1034.020; Pk. Bd. Ord. No. 86-102, § 1, 7-2-86)
PB4-87. - Advertising permit required. No person shall display any placards or commercial display of any kind, including "For Sale" or "For Charter," upon any boat, or to hawk, peddle or offer any articles, beverage, foodstuff, merchandise or service, for sale, charter or trade, while occupying mooring space in the Mississippi River basin, without first obtaining a written permit therefor from the park and recreation board, as provided for hereinafter. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 1034.030)
PB4-88. - Hours. No person shall operate any boat in the Mississippi River basin or dock or launch any boat between midnight and daylight of the following day. Provisions of this section shall not apply to persons operating boats pursuant to federal authority or in interstate commerce. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 1034.040)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
The Park Board's boating chapter designates four permit types under section PB4-95: advertising/commercial-display permits, race permits, commercial-boat permits, and a general permit to land, launch, dock, moor, or anchor a boat anywhere along Mississippi River park waters. The superintendent of parks issues general permits after a written application showing the applicant is a fit and proper person to operate a boat; permits run from issuance through May 1 of the following year and cost a dockage fee the park board sets from time to time. Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian's signature. Boats belonging to the United States Government are exempt from the permit requirement.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of the Boating chapter is a petty misdemeanor, and a conviction automatically revokes the offender's permit; a court may also bar the person from operating a boat for up to 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to dock a boat in a Minneapolis park?
What happens if I break the boating permit rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
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