Medina, MN

Medina requires a Building Permit for installing a new driveway, replacing an existing driveway, upgrading from gravel to a paved surface, or expanding driveway dimensions. Minor maintenance work does not require a permit. The driveway requirements are written into City Code Section 400, and lot-coverage limits for impervious surfaces also apply — meaning a wider driveway can sometimes push your lot over the impervious surface cap and require additional review.

A new driveway involves modifying public street infrastructure (the curb cut and apron), and because the curb and surrounding area sit within the public right-of-way, the project is a regulated alteration of public property. In Medina, a utility permit is also required for any underground utility installed (by bore or trench) within the right-of-way or across public property, and a similar right-of-way review applies to curb cuts. Because the rules around right-of-way work overlap zoning, building inspections, and engineering, the safest first step is to call the Building Department at 763-473-4643 and describe your project before submitting anything.

The Building Department page at medinamn.gov/Departments/Building is the entry point for permit submittals. Permits & Inspections information is at medinamn.gov/Departments/Building/Building-Permits-Inspections. Specific dollar amounts for Medina driveway permit fees are not currently published in publicly indexed pages; call the Building Department for the current 2025-2026 fee schedule. The exact maximum driveway width, the side-yard setback, the required apron thickness, and the rules for grade and slope are all part of the city's zoning code rather than published as a one-page handout — Building Department staff can pull the relevant sections of City Code Section 400 for your zoning district.

A complete application typically includes a detailed site plan showing property boundaries, the proposed driveway and curb cut location, dimensions, distance from all property lines, and the location of fixed obstructions like fire hydrants, utility poles, and street signs (most codes require minimum separation from those features). If a public sidewalk crosses the apron, that segment must comply with ADA cross-slope limits. Final inspections are required after the work is complete to verify the construction matches the approved plans.

If your driveway connects to a Hennepin County road, the city does not have jurisdiction over the curb cut — Hennepin County Public Works issues the access permit for those roads. If your property fronts a state trunk highway, an Access/Driveway Permit from MnDOT is required for any change in access. Always call Gopher State One Call at 811 before any digging — this is required by Minnesota law statewide. The Building Department at Medina City Hall can be reached at 763-473-4643 or info@medinamn.gov. Confirm the current fee schedule, the required site-plan format, the licensed-contractor requirement for ROW work, and any escrow or security deposit before submitting the application.