Dakota County does not issue fence permits for incorporated cities. Most Dakota County cities require a zoning or building permit before you build a fence; tall fences generally trigger a building permit. Rules vary by city.
Because Dakota County land use is municipal, you apply for a fence permit through your city. Lakeville requires a zoning permit for a property-line fence or a front-yard fence under 7 feet, and a building permit for fences 7 feet or taller. Apple Valley requires a building permit only for fences over 7 feet. In the county's 13 unincorporated townships, contact the township and Dakota County only for shoreland/floodplain or septic review. Always confirm your property line, since fences must sit entirely on your own land unless neighbors agree in writing.
Building without a required permit can lead to a stop-work order, after-the-fact permit fees, or a city code citation; penalties are set by city ordinance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged in Dakota County. State law bans putting yard waste in the trash, and the county runs free organics (food-scrap...
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Dakota County has no artificial-turf ordinance. Whether synthetic lawn is allowed, and any coverage or drainage limits, is decided by your city's zoning and ...
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Minnesota law requires every city to allow managed natural landscapes of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs, even over eight inches tall. D...
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Rain barrels and rain gardens are legal in Dakota County and encouraged for stormwater and groundwater protection. There is no county permit for residential ...
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Dakota County does not set watering restrictions. Your city or water utility does, typically odd/even address-day sprinkling and no midday watering during su...
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Minnesota's Noxious Weed Law requires all landowners to control noxious weeds. The mayor of each city and town supervisors serve as local weed inspectors; Da...
See how Dakota County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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