City of Eden Prairie
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Planning and Zoning FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions pertaining to the Planning Division.
Planning and Zoning
A plot of your home, also known as a "Site Survey" or "Certificate of Survey" may be available from the Building Inspections Division at 952-949-8342.
If you would like a subdivision plat showing where your lot lines are within your subdivision contact the Engineering Division at 952-949-8407.
Not all properties in Eden Prairie are part of a subdivision plat. The plats in the Engineering Division may not be the same as the legally recorded plats. Legally recorded plats are available through Hennepin County.
For more information, contact the Engineering Division at 952-949-8407.
A Land Division and/or Combination may be used when two property owners wish to exchange small portions of property or a property owner wishes to split a portion of their property.
Administrative Land Division and/or Combination Application [PDF]
For more information, submit an inquiry to the Planning Division or call 952-949-8485.
Zoning information is available on an interactive GIS map.
All ground in a residential zoning district not covered by a building, patio or driveway, must be covered in grass or ornamental landscaping including rock material. Ground cover may grow to a height of 12 inches.
Should you identify a property in which grass is over 12 inches in height between the months of June and September, you may submit a report to Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, or call 952-949-8442.
Guide Specifications for Engineering Consultants and Contractors can be found on the Guide Specifications page of the website.
For more information, submit an inquiry to the Engineering Division or call 952-949-8407.
No permits are required for construction of fences. The maximum height for a fence is 7 feet. Fences may be located up to a property line. However if the fence is placed up to the lot line you may need to go on your neighbor’s property for installation, repairs or maintenance. The fence may be placed several feet away from your property line if you desire to have the area for maintenance purposes.
If a fence is placed on the corner of a lot that abuts an intersection or abuts a street – Public Right-of-Way – contact the Engineering Division at 952-949-8339 and request an appointment for a sight line distance review. The fence will need to be placed or setback to allow for safe views and not block pedestrian or vehicular views at an intersection.\
It is suggested to have a copy of the property survey prior to fence installation to indicate locations of lot lines. The curb line is not the property line. The City has no architectural control standards for fences. Private covenants and restrictions through a homeowner's association may prohibit fences or indicate some architectural controls. Should the City or a public service utility have to enter a drainage and utility easement, the City or service utility may not be responsible for replacement of the fence in all cases.
Contact Gopher State One Call at 651-454-0002 before you dig!
A home business may occur in the Rural, Single Family or Multiple zoning districts provided the following code regulations are maintained:
- A home business shall be conducted in a dwelling and shall be clearly incidental or secondary to the use of the structure as a dwelling.
- No home business shall be conducted in an accessory structure or outbuilding.
- No equipment or supplies associated with a home business shall be stored outside.
- There shall be no external alteration of the dwelling in which the home business is conducted.
- One sign of not more than 1 square foot is permitted which must be 10 feet from the property line. No off-site signs are permitted.
- The home business shall be carried on only by members of a family residing in the dwelling and not more than one non-resident of the dwelling.
- Not more than one truck of more than ¾-ton capacity associated with a home business and no semi-trailers may be stored on site.
Outdoor in-ground swimming pools are required to have a fence surrounding the pool of at least 4 feet in height and a maximum height of 7 feet. The fence must be located at least 4 feet from the pool’s edge. The bottom of the fence or wall around the pool shall be no higher than 4 inches above the surface of the ground.
Fence openings or points of entry to the pool area shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching lockable gates. Temporary fences are required during construction if the pool is not yet secured in a fenced area.
Contact Gopher State One Call at 651-454-0002 before you dig!- All vehicles parked on private property must have current license tabs and be operable. All parking must occur on a hard-surfaced area of cement or asphalt. No parking may occur on grass or snow-covered areas. Vehicles that are not operable or registered may be stored inside a garage. In the Residential districts, trucks with commercial licenses or over a certain weight may not be parked on private property.
- Unless there is a sign stating “no parking” vehicles may park on the edge of public streets. All vehicles parked on public streets must have current license tabs and be operable. Vehicles must be moved every 24 hours.
No vehicles may be marked “for sale” and parked in a public street. Recreational vehicles may not be parked on any public street for more than 24 consecutive hours. In the Residential districts trucks with commercial licenses or over a certain weight may not be parked in public streets except for delivery purposes. - In the residential R1 zoning districts all driveways must be cement or asphalt. The driveway must be at least 3 feet from a side lot line and shall not cross the extension of a property line to the curb line.
There is typically 10 to 12 feet from the back of the curb to your lot line. It is suggested a driveway not be placed in the drainage and utility easement of your property as utility lines including cable TV, electric, sewer, water and gas may be in the easement area.
No permit is required to install or replace a driveway unless a new curb cut is being created. Circular driveways with two street entrances are permitted provided there is no conflict at the street intersections. Crushed rock or stone is not a permitted driveway surface. Residential structures and accessory structures which include sheds, pools, outbuildings, play structures and gazebos, are subject to specific setbacks from a lot line based on the zoning district your property is located. All structure setbacks are taken from the property line. The setback from a front, rear or side yard may vary based on the zoning district in which your property in located.
To find out what your property is zoned and what the required setbacks are, contact the Planning Division during business hours at 952-949-8485.
Temporary Real Estate Sign Regulations
- Two off-site signs may be placed on private property from 10 p.m. on Friday to 6 a.m. on Monday.
- Signs may not be greater than 6 square feet. Maximum height for a sign is 6 feet.
- Each sign shall have the name and telephone number of the owner of the sign.
- A sign may not be placed more than 2 miles from the property being sold or leased.
Remember there is usually 10 feet from the back of the curb to a property line. - Signs placed in a public Right-of-Way may be removed by City crews.
Areas where sidewalks or trails exist, or close to street pole names/stop signs are public rights-of-way.
All buildings on any residential lot are required to meet required setbacks from property lines.
Please submit an inquiry to the Planning Division or call 952-949-8485 to find out the zoning of your property and the required setbacks.
The City Code of the City of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is published online as a convenience to residents and the business community. It is comprised of the municipal laws adopted by the City Council in the form of ordinances.
- Information about planning and zoning permits is available on the Licenses and Permits page of the website.
- Online building permits can be found on the Licenses and Permits page of the website.
- Before you plant any trees or shrubs on your property, locate any underground utilities by calling Gopher State One Call at 651-454-0002.
No plant material may be placed in a street right-of-way which is usually 10 to 15 feet from the back of the curb. Plant material may not interfere with traffic sight lines.
If trees or shrubs are placed in the drainage and utility easement they may be trimmed or removed by the City or public utility service.
Your lot may have a Conservation Easement. Please contact the City Forestry Technician at 952-949-8445 to determine if your property has a Conservation Easement. No plant material may be placed in or removed from a Conservation Easement area.
Plant trees or shrubs in locations where maintenance can occur within your property. - All driveways must be a least 3 feet from a property line. Driveway shall be constructed of bituminous, concrete or pavers. No permit is required for a driveway unless a new curb cut at the street is proposed.