Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation coordinates a number of adult athletic opportunities, which are open to adults who live or work in Eden Prairie.

If you’re interested in joining a team, you must register online.

Check out the Adult Athletics page to learn more.

If you have left or lost something in one of our parks, park buildings or shelters please contact the Community Center at 952-949-8470.

Items found in City parks or at the Community Center will be kept at the Community Center for 30 days. After 30 days, items will be donated to the PROP Shop in Eden Prairie. Items such as keys, wallets, phones, laptops or other electronic devices, sports equipment, jewelry and other items that appear valuable will be sent to the Police Department after 90 days.

Call the Eden Prairie Police Department at 952-949-6200 if your pet gets loose or runs away. Your pet will be entered into our "lost file" and every effort will be made to return it to you once it has been found. This information will be kept for 10 days, unless your pet is returned to you, or you request that it be kept longer. Unclaimed animals are brought to the Bloomington Animal Shelter, 9920 Logan Avenue. The shelter's number is 952-563-4942.

Click here for more information about Animal Control.

Wildlife is abundant in Eden Prairie and can cause problems for residents. Citizens are encouraged to report sick or injured animals to the Police Department. For complaints involving nuisance wildlife, contact a pest control agency. If you are interested in a live trap, contact the department's Animal Control Officers and they will assist you in determining if a live trap is necessary.

Click here for more information about Animal Control.

Eden Prairie has a barking dog ordinance. Dog owners shall not allow their dogs to unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of any person in the vicinity. Specifically, dogs are not allowed to bark more than 30 times in a 10-minute time period.

If you hear a dog barking excessively please call 911 and a Community Service or Animal Control Officer will respond. Click here for more information about Animal Control.

If you have left or lost something in one of our parks, park buildings or shelters please contact the Community Center at 952-949-8470.

Items found in City parks or at the Community Center will be kept at the Community Center for 30 days. After 30 days, items will be donated to the PROP Shop in Eden Prairie. Items such as keys, wallets, phones, laptops or other electronic devices, sports equipment, jewelry and other items that appear valuable will be sent to the Police Department after 90 days.

Submit an inquiry to the Engineering Division or call 952-949-8316 to find out if your property is assessed.

In early March of each year, the City Assessor sends out a Notice of Valuation and Classification via U.S. mail. This notice provides a comparison of Values, Exclusions and Classification of the current Assessment to the previous Assessment. Additional information regarding appeal options and definitions of terms are also included.

Historical information is also available on the Hennepin County website.

Minnesota law requires residential builders, remodelers and roofers to be licensed to help protect homeowners.

You can verify if a contractor is licensed via the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

All work is subject to inspection.

When your permit is issued, you will receive a permit record card that lists the types of inspections you need for that project. It is the responsibility of the person who pulled the permit to call in for these inspections.

Click here to schedule an inspection.

Unless it is natural gas work, nothing prohibits a homeowner who occupies and owns the property from doing their own work. However permits are still required.

Yes, building permits expire if there has been no work or inspections conducted for 180 days.

If the retaining wall is over 4 feet tall (from bottom of footing/retaining wall), a building permit and engineering are required.

The retaining wall may not encroach in the drainage of the property.

Contact the Engineering Division with questions related to drainage.

A building permit is only required when a shed exceeds 200 square feet.

Contact the Planning Division for additional requirements on setbacks.

Electrical inspections are conducted by the State of Minnesota.

Contact John Thompson, the state inspector assigned to Eden Prairie, at 763-205-5015 for electrical inspections.

Failure to obtain a permit is a violation of City ordinance and state law, so fines may be levied.

Also, building code includes provisions for the fees to be doubled if work starts prior to obtaining a permit.

Plans should be detailed and neat. They must be drawn to a usable scale, 1-quarter inch to 1 foot is a common scale. Plans should be dimensioned and include information on use of rooms, lumber sizes and spacing. Please contact the Building Inspections Division for more information pertaining a specific project.

Exempt work includes painting, wallpapering, flooring, kitchen cabinets and detached storage structures less than 200 square feet.

Contact the Building Inspections Division if you have any questions on whether or not you need a permit for the project you are planning.

• Building permits are required anytime you do work that is regulated by the Minnesota State Building Code. This includes any work to the permanent weather resistive surfaces of the dwelling such as the siding, windows and roof. Any structural alterations or repairs to those items require a permit. Dwelling additions, garages and decks require a permit. If you are unsure if your project needs a permit, please call our office 952-949-8342.
• Plumbing permits are required for the installation, alteration, repair or extension of any plumbing system or individual sewage disposal system. This includes the installation or replacement of a fixture, water heater, water softener, backflow preventer for lawn irrigation systems, and any other activity as required by the building official or plumbing inspector.
• Mechanical permits are required for the installation, alteration, repair or extension of any heating, ventilation or exhaust system, refrigeration unit, air conditioning unit, manufactured gas or wood fireplaces and stoves, manufactured chimney and venting systems, hot water or other mechanical equipment as required by the building official or mechanical inspector.

Under federal law, the City and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are prevented from regulating cable rates. It would take federal legislation to change that situation. The FCC believes that as competition and choices expand, consumers will have access to more services and that prices will eventually be controlled by competition.

In the meantime, the FCC says that consumers should expect an explanation from cable companies whenever rates are raised, particularly when the company attributes price hikes to increases in the cost of obtaining programming.

No.

Eden Prairie's Cable TV franchise agreement with Comcast is nonexclusive.

Only your cable television provider can decide which channels it will carry. The City has no legal authority to determine which channels are available.

You should always contact your cable provider first when you have an issue. In many cases, the customer service representatives will be able to assist you and solve your problem.

Comcast
612-522-2000

Find nearest Comcast Xfinity service center

If you have a cable television service issue that your provider has not been resolved to your satisfaction, complete the Southwest Suburban Cable Commission complaint form at swcablecommission.org/Complaints.

Federal Communications Commission
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)

Yes

Comcast Franchise Agreement

Cable TV service in Eden Prairie is provided by Comcast/Xfinity under a franchise agreement with the City.

Contact Comcast/Xfinity
612-522-2000

Find nearest Comcast/Xfinity service center

The City renewed its franchise agreement with Comcast in 2023 for 10-year term.

The Southwest Suburban Cable Commission represents the cities of Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Richfield, and manages the public, educational and governmental (PEG) access channels available to Comcast/Xfinity cable television subscribers.

The playback of educational and public access programming for Southwest Suburban Cable Commission member cities — called Southwest Community Television — is coordinated by the City of Edina and its community television administrator.

Visit the Hennepin County 4th Judicial District of Minnesota website to learn how to pay a ticket, how to request an administrative hearing, find information on fine amounts and more.

If your vehicle was towed and/or impounded, it was taken to Matt’s Auto unless the officer told you differently. At Matt’s there is a daily storage charge imposed on your vehicle.

Matt’s Auto
6282 Industrial Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
952-949-2900

Click here for more information about traffic-related regulations.

Limited complimentary notary services are available for Eden Prairie residents at the City Center Customer Service desk during business hours.

Getting a document notarized is a certification that a person signing a document has been properly identified by a Notary Public. Notarization does not certify the content of a document.

The person(s) whose signature is being notarized must:

• Not sign documents ahead of time
• Present a current government-issued photo ID (valid driver's license, state ID, etc.)
• Sign the document in front of the Notary

Examples of documents that cannot be notarized at the City Center:

• Last will and testament
• I-9 forms
• Birth/death/marriage certificates, divorce decrees

 
Call 952-949-8300 during business hours with questions.

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.

edenprairie.org/CityCode

City of Eden Prairie public notices are published in the Sun Sailor newspaper, the City's "paper of record."

The Southwest Suburban Cable Commission represents the cities of Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Richfield, and manages the public, educational and governmental (PEG) access channels available to Comcast/Xfinity cable television subscribers.

The playback of educational and public access programming for Southwest Suburban Cable Commission member cities — called Southwest Community Television — is coordinated by the City of Edina and its community television administrator.

Open Podium is an opportunity for Eden Prairie residents to address the City Council on issues related to Eden Prairie City government prior to each council meeting from 6:30 to 6:55 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

More information about Open Podium

Send an email to all members of the City Council at allcouncil@edenprairie.org.

Information to contact City Council members individually.

City Council meetings are televised live on the cable government access channel EPTV for Comcast subscribers and replayed several times throughout the week.

City Council meetings are also streamed live and on-demand:

• edenprairie.org/CityTV
• facebook.com/CityOfEdenPrairie
• youtube.com/EPGOV

Agendas for City Council meetings are typically posted the Friday prior to each meeting. Go to the City Council Meetings page to find the agenda for the upcoming meeting.

To access archived City Council meeting and workshop minutes, search by key word or date at edenprairie.org/CityDocs.

The State of Minnesota dictates fireworks regulations.

More information about legal vs. illegal fireworks is available on the State Fire Marshal website.

30-day exemptions from the odd/even watering requirements are available for items such as new sod or landscaping.

Visit the Lawn Watering and Lawn Care page of the website for more information and an application.

You can also submit an inquiry to the Utilities Division for more information.

Yes, the City of Eden Prairie requires all rental property to be licensed and inspected annually to protect the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens.

For more information on rental licensing, inspections or codes, visit the Rental Housing Information page or contact the Eden Prairie Fire Prevention Bureau at 952-949-8497.

Submit an inquiry to the Public Works Department for information about parking sign permit applications, or call 952-949-8407.

It is unlawful for any person to stop, park or leave standing any vehicle upon any street for a continuous period in excess of 24 hours.

For more information, see City Code Chapter 8.07, subd 1 [PDF].

Information about Eden Prairie’s lawn watering restrictions can be found at edenprairie.org/LawnWatering.

For questions about the City’s watering restrictions, submit an inquiry to the Utilities Division.

Eden Prairie has a barking dog ordinance. Dog owners shall not allow their dogs to unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of any person in the vicinity. Specifically, dogs are not allowed to bark more than 30 times in a 10-minute time period.

If you hear a dog barking excessively please call 911 and a Community Service or Animal Control Officer will respond. Click here for more information about Animal Control.

It is prohibited to allow vegetation to grow to a height greater than 10 inches, or allow such vegetation to go to seed.

If you identify a property where the grass is over 10 inches high from June through September, contact the Parks Maintenance Division.

For more information, see City Code 9.71, subd 2.

When a snow emergency is declared, all vehicles must be removed from City streets to allow for efficient snow removal operations. For a typical snowstorm, plowing begins at 3 a.m.

Visit edenprairie.org/Snow for more information.

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!

The size of the fire must be limited to 3 feet in diameter and must be at least 25 feet from any building or combustible structure, such as decks or fences. Only wood may be burned, with a minimum of 1 inch in diameter. No brush, yard waste or treated wood may be burned. No rubbish can be burned at any time.

Learn more about Eden Prairie's recreational fire regulations at edenprairie.org/RecreationalFires.

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.

The City of Eden Prairie regulates the use of grills in multiple-family dwellings by ordinance. Whether you own or rent, if you live in a structure containing three or more dwelling units with at least two vertically stacked, the use of any fire or open flame is prohibited on any balcony above ground level, or on any ground level patio within 15 feet of the structure.

Learn more about barbecue grill safety.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Eden Prairie Fire Department at 952-949-8556.

Submit the Landscape Watering Exemption Request form.

More information on lawn watering in Eden Prairie is available on the Lawn Watering and Lawn Care page of the website.

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.

edenprairie.org/CityCode

The Park Maintenance Division is responsible for keeping sidewalks and trails free of snow.

Check out the Snow Removal page to learn more about the removal of snow on City streets.

For more information, submit an inquiry to the Parks Maintenance Division.

The City plows all streets in Eden Prairie, with the exception of state highways, county roads and private streets with neighborhood associations.

Visit the Snow Removal page for more information.

High school juniors and seniors who live in Eden Prairie can apply to serve on City commissions.

Click here to learn more about the Students on Commissions program.

News items produced by the City of Eden Prairie Communications Division are intended for members of the news media and the community at large and are located at edenprairie.org/News.

Subscribe to City News and receive email and/or text updates.

The City's email/text notification system is a subscription-based source of news and information updates on the topics of your choice.

Subscribe to City News

The Smart911 emergency notification system provides the City of Eden Prairie with a high speed telephone calling and text messaging system capable of delivering customized emergency messages directly to homes, businesses and mobile telephone users.

City Council meetings are televised live on the cable government access channel EPTV for Comcast subscribers and replayed several times throughout the week.

City Council meetings are also streamed live and on-demand:

• edenprairie.org/CityTV
• facebook.com/CityOfEdenPrairie
• youtube.com/EPGOV

Yes! Visit the Stay Connected page to learn about all of the ways you can keep informed about what's happening in Eden Prairie.

City of Eden Prairie public notices are published in the Sun Sailor newspaper, the City's "paper of record."

The Southwest Suburban Cable Commission represents the cities of Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Richfield, and manages the public, educational and governmental (PEG) access channels available to Comcast/Xfinity cable television subscribers.

The playback of educational and public access programming for Southwest Suburban Cable Commission member cities — called Southwest Community Television — is coordinated by the City of Edina and its community television administrator.

Yes.

Click here to find more information about hosting a birthday party at the Community Center.

Yes. There are a variety of rooms available for rent at the Community Center.

Click here for Community Center Room Rental information

No. Non-residents are allowed to become Community Center members and can use the facility.

Click here for Community Center membership information

The City of Eden Prairie offers free Wi-Fi at the Community Center for the public, which is subject to all applicable policies and guidelines of the City of Eden Prairie and all state and federal laws related to internet use, including copyright laws.

Access to Wi-Fi offers limited bandwidth for services including web access, email and VPN.

Wireless service is provided on an unsecured wireless network, thus, it is strongly recommended that users not use it to transmit personal, financial or legal data. It is not possible for the City to protect users of Open Wi-Fi against malicious theft or interception of personal data. The City will not assume responsibility for the safety of equipment, data or configurations resulting from connection to the City's wireless service. Virus and security protection is the responsibility of the wireless user.

1. Visit the Parks and Recreation online system and log in using your email and password.
2. If you haven’t logged in before or have forgotten your login information, contact the Community Center (952-949-8470) to obtain your username and reset password.
3. Click My Account.
4. Click Member Visit Report (for receipts choose Reprint Receipt).
5. Select your active membership (or specific receipt).
6. Confirm the transaction dates.

If you have left or lost something in one of our parks, park buildings or shelters please contact the Community Center at 952-949-8470.

Items found in City parks or at the Community Center will be kept at the Community Center for 30 days. After 30 days, items will be donated to the PROP Shop in Eden Prairie. Items such as keys, wallets, phones, laptops or other electronic devices, sports equipment, jewelry and other items that appear valuable will be sent to the Police Department after 90 days.

Yes. However, decorations should not cause damage to the space and should be removed at the end of your event.

Check out the Community Center Room Rentals page to view a complete list of rooms available.

Yes, as long as the music does not cause a disruption to other facility patrons.

Check out the Community Center Room Rentals page to view a complete list of rooms available.

Yes, electrical service is available in all of the Community Center room rentals. However, the use of heating devices such as crock-pots or coffee makers is not allowed.

Check out the Community Center Room Rentals page to view a complete list of rooms available.

Small birthday or celebration candles may be used for a short period of time at celebrations. Open flames or burners are not allowed.

Check out the Community Center Room Rentals page to view a complete list of rooms available.

You can pay to utilize the space for your gathering on a 30-minute basis or individually pay for participants to use the play structure.

Check out the Prairie Play Zone page to learn more.

Yes, stop by anytime the facility is open to see the spaces.

An individualized tour may be scheduled during regular hours by calling the Facility Coordinator at 952-949-8333.

Check out the Community Center Room Rentals page to view a complete list of rooms available.

The room is arranged according to your specifications. Facility team members will set up the tables and chairs prior to the start of your event.

Check out the Community Center Room Rentals page to view a complete list of rooms available.

Check-in at the Community Center front desk on the day of your rental. At that time, a team member will provide you with a key for the space in exchange for a set of car keys.

Prior to the date of your rental, contact the Facility Coordinator at 952-949-8333 with any questions.

Check out the Community Center Room Rentals page to view a complete list of rooms available.

After you've located the room you would like to rent on the Community Center Room Rentals page, and after you've filled out the "Contact Us" form for that particular room, you will be contacted.

Full payment is required to secure the reservation. Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis for the current year.

Any set-up and/or tear down should be done during the hours you have reserved the space. A good rule of thumb is to rent at least a half hour on either side of your event. The space should be “broom clean” when you are ready to depart, which means tables are wiped down, all trash is in the bins and decorations and tape are removed.

An additional fee may be assessed if Community Center staff is required to go above and beyond normal cleaning responsibilities.

Check out the Community Center Room Rentals page to view a complete list of rooms available.

The rental fee includes the use of the space, tables and chairs.

Any decorations, paper products or table cloths that you would like to use for your event should be brought in separately.

Check out the Community Center Room Rentals page to view a complete list of rooms available.

If a cancellation is made at least 30 days prior to the event, a full refund will be given, minus one hour of the rental fee. Requests received less than 30 days prior to the event are not eligible for a refund. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to the Recreation Facilities Coordinator.

Check out the Community Center Room Rentals page to view a complete list of rooms available.

There are a variety of table sizes available, depending which room is rented.

Check the description for each room at edenprairie.org/EPCCRentals.

If you have left or lost something in one of our parks, park buildings or shelters please contact the Community Center at 952-949-8470.

Items found in City parks or at the Community Center will be kept at the Community Center for 30 days. After 30 days, items will be donated to the PROP Shop in Eden Prairie. Items such as keys, wallets, phones, laptops or other electronic devices, sports equipment, jewelry and other items that appear valuable will be sent to the Police Department after 90 days.

Call the Parks and Recreation Weather Information Line at 952-949-8449 for weather related cancellations.

edenprairie.org/News

Subscribe to City News email/text notifications

@CityofEdenPrairie

If you have left or lost something in one of our parks, park buildings or shelters please contact the Community Center at 952-949-8470.

Items found in City parks or at the Community Center will be kept at the Community Center for 30 days. After 30 days, items will be donated to the PROP Shop in Eden Prairie. Items such as keys, wallets, phones, laptops or other electronic devices, sports equipment, jewelry and other items that appear valuable will be sent to the Police Department after 90 days.

Pesticides such as weed killer are not allowed because neighboring gardeners can be affected by the use of these products.

Instead of pesticides, gardeners should use mulch or cultivation techniques.

Gardeners are required to maintain their garden and control the weeds until the end of the gardening season of Oct. 15, even if produce is done growing.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

Yes, portable toilets are located at all sites. The Duck Lake Trail garden toilet is located across the street at Eden Valley Park.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

The City cannot share name or phone number information; however, we can contact the other gardener and if they wish to return the call to you, they can do so.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more about community gardens.

Gardeners may indicate a desired plot (or area) in the comment field of the online request; however, garden plots are assigned in the order of when the application is received. No other factors allow preferential plot location assignments.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

Some gardeners choose to put up a temporary garden fence to keep out the raccoons and rabbits. The amount of garden damage due to animals can vary from year to year. Rarely, do we have theft problems.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more about community gardens.

No, gardeners must supply their own equipment, seeds, fertilizer, etc. for their gardens. The City provides only the land and water.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

The earliest date that your request and payment will be accepted is the first day of registration in March for that gardening year. No priority is given to those on the waitlist in the previous year.

Once all plots in a garden are taken, you can be added to a waitlist for that specific location. Email your name, email address, phone number and desired plot location to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Occasionally, a gardener is not able to fulfill the responsibility of gardening (sometimes, even before the garden season starts). In that situation, the first person on the waitlist for that garden location is contacted.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

Requests for community garden plots are accepted the first day of registration in March each year for that gardening year until gardens are sold out. Payment must be received at the time of the request. Visit the Community Gardens page to make a request online.

Payment may be submitted online or in person at the Community Center, 16700 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.

Applications will not be accepted until the first day of registration and will continue to be accepted until all garden plots have been taken. Once all plots in a garden are taken, you can be added to a wait list for that specific location. Email your name, email address, phone number and desired plot location to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

Historically, most gardeners who submitted a request by April 15 were able to get a plot. A waiting list is started once all gardens are taken. At Pioneer Park, the City has fewer gardens and a higher number of returning gardeners. You can indicate alternative choices in plot size or location, in the case your first choice is not available.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

Pioneer Park
Small: 12
Medium: 15
Large: 0

Pioneer Trail
Small: 70
Medium: 0
Large: 18

Duck Lake Trail
Small: 50
Medium: 0
Large: 0

Gardeners grow a variety of annual flowers and vegetables such as pumpkins, cucumbers, sunflowers, corn and tomatoes. All plots are in full sun.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

Yes, water is provided at all locations.

At Pioneer Trail and Duck Lake Trail, water tanks are located throughout the garden area. A bucket must be used to collect the water and carry it to the plot. At Pioneer Park, water faucets are available; three throughout the garden area. Direct hose hook-up is not permitted. A bucket must be used to collect the water and carry it to your plot. Please do not hoard or save water.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

Contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 952-949-8442. The City will contact that gardener to find out if they have decided not to garden. If so, the available garden plot will be assigned to the next person on the wait list.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

The plots available are as follows:

Pioneer Trail
Small: 20'x30'
Large: 20'x60'

Pioneer Park
Small: 20'x30'
Medium: 20'x40'
The City has occasionally divided a medium-sized plot into two 20'x20' plots to make more gardens

Duck Lake Trail
Small: 20'x30'

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more. 

Gardeners grow a variety of annual flowers and vegetables such as pumpkins, cucumbers, sunflowers, corn, peppers, green beans and tomatoes. All plots are in full sun.

Because you are making a request at the time of payment, it is possible that we may not have the size or at the location you want. We ask you to indicate other sizes/locations you would accept, if your first choice is not available. You will be refunded or billed if there is a pricing difference in your final assigned plot.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more about the process.

If you only want a garden at Pioneer Park, please indicate that when you're applying for the plot. If the City cannot accommodate you at that location, your payment will be refunded after April 16 without prior notification.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more about the process.

An email with your garden plot number will be sent to you by April 20 each year.

Weather permitting, gardens are plowed and the corners are marked with the plot numbers by May 1. Gardeners who have reserved a plot will be notified when their garden plot is ready for planting.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

Gardens must be harvested and cleaned up (free of any stakes or fencing) by Oct. 15 of each year. The plots will be plowed after that date.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

Financial transactions will take place immediately at the time of your request. Any financial adjustments will take place after April 16.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more about the process.

Those who live or work in Eden Prairie. Some gardeners have a house with a shady backyard, but need a sunny place to plant. Some gardeners live in apartments. Some gardeners need more garden space for bigger, sprawling plants. Some gardeners are growing food for their family. Some gardeners are enjoying the time outdoors. All ages can be found at the gardens.

Eden Prairie residents or persons who work in Eden Prairie are able to rent a community garden plot. Residents over the age of 55 get a discounted rate.

Everyone can register to request a community garden plot on the first day of spring/summer Parks and Recreation program registration. However, returning gardeners are given priority until April 15 to make payment.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

Returning gardeners are those who had a garden in the previous summer. They are given priority until April 15 to send in their application and payment.

On April 16, new gardeners are assigned a plot in the order their application and payment was received.

Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.

All plots are tractor-plowed in the fall and tractor-tilled in the spring. However, a hand-tiller or pitch fork is useful to prepare the soil before you begin planting.

Check out the Community Garden page to learn more.

There are several primary, secondary and post-secondary schooling options in Eden Prairie.

Click here for more information about Eden Prairie schools.

The Smart911 emergency notification system provides the City of Eden Prairie with a high speed telephone calling and text messaging system capable of delivering customized emergency messages directly to homes, businesses and mobile telephone users.

Consider joining the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a group of citizen volunteers who are trained in disaster preparedness for large-scale disaster incidents.

City Council meetings are televised live on the cable government access channel EPTV for Comcast subscribers and replayed several times throughout the week.

City Council meetings are also streamed live and on-demand:

• edenprairie.org/CityTV
• facebook.com/CityOfEdenPrairie
• youtube.com/EPGOV

The State of Minnesota dictates fireworks regulations.

More information about legal vs. illegal fireworks is available on the State Fire Marshal website.

The Fire Department recommends replacing your Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector every five to seven years from the date of manufacture, which can usually be located on the back of your CO detector.

Replace the batteries in your CO detector every six months. If the alarm “chirps" to warn the batteries are low, replace the batteries immediately.

Learn more about Carbon Monoxide (CO) safety

The Fire Department recommends that you replace your smoke detector every ten years.

Change the batteries in your smoke detector every six months. If an alarm “chirps" to warn the batteries are low, replace the batteries immediately.

Test your smoke detectors monthly by pushing the test button.

Learn more about smoke detectors and fire safety.

The size of the fire must be limited to 3 feet in diameter and must be at least 25 feet from any building or combustible structure, such as decks or fences. Only wood may be burned, with a minimum of 1 inch in diameter. No brush, yard waste or treated wood may be burned. No rubbish can be burned at any time.

Learn more about Eden Prairie's recreational fire regulations at edenprairie.org/RecreationalFires.

The City of Eden Prairie regulates the use of grills in multiple-family dwellings by ordinance. Whether you own or rent, if you live in a structure containing three or more dwelling units with at least two vertically stacked, the use of any fire or open flame is prohibited on any balcony above ground level, or on any ground level patio within 15 feet of the structure.

Learn more about barbecue grill safety.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Eden Prairie Fire Department at 952-949-8556.

Homestead applications can be submitted in person at any Hennepin County Service Center location or online at hennepin.us/Homestead.

Learn more at edenprairie.org/Assessing.

Homestead properties may pay a lower property tax than non-homestead properties. In addition, to be eligible for other special property tax programs — such as the Minnesota Property Tax Refund — properties must be classified as a homestead.

Minnesota law provides full or partial valuation property tax exclusion for homesteads of disabled veterans with a disability rating of 70% or greater, as determined by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

You must be able to verify honorable discharge from the United States armed forces as indicated by U.S. Government Form DD214 or other official military discharge papers. You must also be certified by the U.S. Veterans Administration as having service-connected disability.

Applicants requiring information concerning their discharge or disability status must work with their County Veterans Service Office or the Veterans Administration to receive this information. The City Assessor is not responsible for determining disability status.

Visit the MN Department of Revenue website for a summary of program qualifications.

Homestead is a classification granted to properties that are owner-occupied or are occupied as a person’s primary place of residence. The homestead classification is not automatic or transferred to you by the seller at the time of sale. You must apply for the homestead classification in your name after you purchase and move in.

After the initial approval, the homestead classification will remain until the property is sold, or the owner or the qualifying relative no longer uses it as a primary place of residence.

If a different qualifying relative occupies the property, the owner must notify the County Assessor within 30 days of the change. Upon the sale of the property, a Certificate of Real Estate Value must be filed with the County Auditor as required under Minnesota Statute 272.115.

Any property owner who is a Minnesota resident and occupies the property as his/her primary residence may apply for the homestead classification.

To be eligible you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence between Jan. 2 and Dec. 31 of the current year for taxes payable the following year to be classified as homestead. Application must be made no later than Dec. 31 of the current year.

State law also provides for the homestead classification to be extended to properties that are occupied by a qualifying relative of the owner. For more information on the relative homestead classification, contact the County Assessor.

30-day exemptions from the odd/even watering requirements are available for items such as new sod or landscaping.

Visit the Lawn Watering and Lawn Care page of the website for more information and an application.

You can also submit an inquiry to the Utilities Division for more information.

Information about Eden Prairie’s lawn watering restrictions can be found at edenprairie.org/LawnWatering.

For questions about the City’s watering restrictions, submit an inquiry to the Utilities Division.

It is prohibited to allow vegetation to grow to a height greater than 10 inches, or allow such vegetation to go to seed.

If you identify a property where the grass is over 10 inches high from June through September, contact the Parks Maintenance Division.

For more information, see City Code 9.71, subd 2.

A permit obtained through the Police Department is required to discharge firearms within the City of Eden Prairie. Locations where discharging firearms is permitted are defined by City Ordinance 9.40.3.

Yes, the City of Eden Prairie requires all rental property to be licensed and inspected annually to protect the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens.

For more information on rental licensing, inspections or codes, visit the Rental Housing Information page or contact the Eden Prairie Fire Prevention Bureau at 952-949-8497.

A permit to gather more than 50 people can be applied for through the Police Department.

To obtain a copy of an Eden Prairie fire or inspection report, submit a written request in the form of a letter to the below address. Please include as much information as possible in the request, such as the date, time, nature and location of the fire call or fire inspection.

Fire Department Admin
Eden Prairie Fire Department
14800 Scenic Heights Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Most requests can be processed within 14 days. If information is needed by a specific date, it should be indicated in the request and every effort will be made to meet the request.

Eden Prairie residents who wish to obtain a permit to purchase firearms must submit an application with the Police Department.

For more information, submit an inquiry to the Engineering Division or call 952-949-8330.

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.

Submit an inquiry to the Public Works Department for information about parking sign permit applications, or call 952-949-8407.

Yes, beekeeping is permissible in most residential neighborhoods in Eden Prairie, after approval from the City through an application/registration process. Applications are submitted to and approved by the Police Department.

Section 9.73 of the Eden Prairie City Code provides detailed information about registration and requirements for beekeeping in the City.

Contact the Police Department with questions about the application process and enforcement of the City ordinance.

Yes, keeping backyard chickens is permissible in most residential neighborhoods in Eden Prairie, after approval from the City through an application/registration process. Applications are submitted to and approved by the Police Department.

Once approved, general rules for keeping backyard chickens include:

• Maximum of 4 chickens
• No roosters
• Only in back yards
• Chicken-keeping structures must be a minimum of 10 feet from any property line and 50 feet from any neighboring home

Section 9.74 of the Eden Prairie City Code provides detailed information about registration and requirements for chicken-keeping in the City.

Contact the Police Department with questions about the application process and enforcement of the City ordinance.

The sale of THC products in Eden Prairie is allowed as defined by City Ordinance No. 16-2022. A license to sell THC products is required and can be obtained by application through the Police Department.

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.

Submit the Landscape Watering Exemption Request form.

More information on lawn watering in Eden Prairie is available on the Lawn Watering and Lawn Care page of the website.

All dogs 6 months and older are required to be licensed with the City of Eden Prairie.

Dog licenses cost $20 and owners are required to show proof of rabies vaccination upon purchase. The licenses run on a calendar year and are issued for a two-year cycle. Licenses can be purchased online at edenprairie.org/DogLicense or in person at the City Center.

Click here for more information about Animal Control in Eden Prairie.

Submit an inquiry to the Engineering Division for information about oversize/overweight vehicle permits or call 952-949-8407.

News items produced by the City of Eden Prairie Communications Division are intended for members of the news media and the community at large and are located at edenprairie.org/News.

Subscribe to City News and receive email and/or text updates.

The City's email/text notification system is a subscription-based source of news and information updates on the topics of your choice.

Subscribe to City News

Yes! Visit the Stay Connected page to learn about all of the ways you can keep informed about what's happening in Eden Prairie.

If you have left or lost something in one of our parks, park buildings or shelters please contact the Community Center at 952-949-8470.

Items found in City parks or at the Community Center will be kept at the Community Center for 30 days. After 30 days, items will be donated to the PROP Shop in Eden Prairie. Items such as keys, wallets, phones, laptops or other electronic devices, sports equipment, jewelry and other items that appear valuable will be sent to the Police Department after 90 days.

Yes, alcohol can be served in the park. However, for the safety of other park users, we ask that you avoid glass serving containers and use plastic or aluminum containers instead.

All caterers who serve alcohol are required to have a liquor license.

Visit the Park Facility Rentals page to find a complete list of facilities available.

Yes, electrical is available at all of the park rental locations. The outlets are the same type found in most home kitchens. Use of multi plug devices is discouraged.

Please check with the Facility Coordinator if you will be using devices at your event that require a higher amount of wattage.

The only cooking restriction is that large cooking devices need to be off the grass, on a hard surface and away from the park structure. Most park facility rental sites have grills available for use.

Visit the Park Facility Rentals page to find a complete list of facilities available.

Candles and open flames are not allowed in any Eden Prairie parks. Decorations put up for your event must not damage the site and must be removed at the conclusion of your event. Twinkle lights are allowed.

Visit the Park Facility Rentals page to find a complete list of facilities available.

You are allowed to use the caterer of your choice. There is not a fee.

Visit the Park Facility Rentals page to find a complete list of facilities available.

No, we do not offer refunds because of inclement weather. If the National Weather Service declares an emergency or severe warning, we will work with you to reschedule your event for the same calendar year.

Visit the Park Facilities Rental page to find a complete list of facilities available.

Yes. Tours are offered year-round at all park facility rental sites, with the exception of the Riley Jacques Barn, where tours are available April–October.

Contact the park facility coordinator at 952-949-8333 to schedule a tour.

No, for the safety of your guests and the site, heating devices are not allowed.

All park facility buildings are heated, with the exception of Riley-Jacques Barn.

View the Park Facility Rentals page to find a complete list of facilities available.

Yes, you may hire a band or DJ for your event. However, please inform the Facility Coordinator at 952-949-8333 so a sound check can be performed to ensure the sound is no louder than 70 decibels at 100 feet. 

Eden Prairie parks close at 10 p.m. and all music must stop at that time.

There is no standard set-up at park facilities; your group has the opportunity to arrange the site to your specifications.

View the Park Facility Rentals page to view a complete list of facilities available.

Eden Prairie park facilities are available for rental by Eden Prairie residents for personal use and by Eden Prairie-based businesses and organizations for their functions.

Visit the Park Facility Rentals page to view a complete list of facilities available and submit a reservation request.

All guests must leave the rental facility by 10 p.m., which is the time all Eden Prairie parks close. Clean-up must be completed by 10:30 p.m.

Sound equipment and a sound technician are available for an extra charge with the rental of the Staring Lake Amphitheatre.

The only sites that offer air conditioning are the Homeward Hills Park Barn, Round Lake Park Building and the Staring Lake Park Building. All other park buildings are heated, with the exception of the Riley-Jacques Barn.

Visit edenprairie.org/FacilityRentals to find a complete list of park facilities available to rent and available amenities.

Full-day rentals are available for each facility. Riley-Jacques Barn can be reserved hourly with a minimum 6-hour rental period.

Visit the Park Facility Rentals page to view a complete list of facilities available and fees.

Tents may be set-up and used in Eden Prairie parks, in designated areas. A tent must be free-standing and cannot be staked into the ground for safety purposes. An additional permit may be required depending on the size of the tent. For more information, contact the park facilities coordinator at 952-949-8333.

Any set-up/tear down should be included in the hours you have reserved the space. A good rule of thumb is to rent at least an hour on either side of your event time. The expectation is that the site is left “broom clean," which includes the tables wiped down, the floor swept and all trash placed in bins. Trash bags are available at the site.

Visit the Park Facility Rentals page to view a complete list of facilities available.

A permit for your rental site will be given to you once your reservation is confirmed. This permit will outline the use of the space you rented. Please note, a park facility rental does not include exclusive use of any other park amenities such as a playground or athletic fields.

Visit the Park Facility Rentals page to find a complete list of facilities available.

Park facility rental cancellation policy, effective Oct. 15, 2019:

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. No refunds are given due to weather conditions unless the park or facility is officially closed due to severe, life-threatening weather.

Cancellation policy for the Riley-Jacques Barn:

• If notice of cancellation is received 121 days or more before the date of reservation, the rental fee is refunded minus one hour of the rental fee.
• If notice of cancellation is received 91-120 days before the date of reservation, the rental is refunded minus 2 hours of the rental fee.
• If notice of cancellation is received 61-90 days before the of reservation, the rental fee is refunded minus 4 hours of the rental fee.
• If notice of cancellation is received less than 60 or less before the date of reservation, the rental fee is non-refundable.

All other park facilities have the following cancellation policy:

• With 31 days or more notice, rental fees are refunded minus a $25 fee for these park facilities: Crestwood, Edenvale, Forest Hills, Miller, Nesbitt Preserve and Prairie View. Cancellation requests submitted 30 days or less from the date of the rental are non-refundable.
• With 31 days or more notice, rental fees are refunded minus a $50 fee for these park facilities: Homeward Hills, Purgatory Creek Park Pavilion, Riley Lake Park Pavilion, Round Lake Park Pavilion and the Staring Lake Park Building. Cancellation requests submitted 30 days or less from the date of the rental are non-refundable.

Visit the Park Facility Rentals page to view a complete list of facilities available.

The numbers and types of tables and chairs available depends on the facility rented. Check the description for each facility at edenprairie.org/FacilityRentals.

All vehicles must remain in the parking lot and all large cooking devices must not be placed on the grass.

The capacity listed for each site takes available parking into account.

Visit edenprairie.org/FacilityRentals to find a complete list of available rental facilities.

Contact the facility coordinator at 952-949-8333 with any questions prior to the date of your rental.

A park attendant will contact you the week of your rental to coordinate a time for check-in and check-out on the day of your rental. Someone from your group must remain at the site the entire time it is unlocked. You will not be responsible for a key.

Visit edenprairie.org/FacilityRentals to find a complete list of available rental facilities.

Every year, the City hosts a Park Clean-Up day event, typically in late April or early May. This is a great chance to grab your work gloves, bring your trash bags and help keep Eden Prairie's parks and trail systems clean. Service organizations, youth organizations and neighborhood groups are encouraged to participate.

Call 952-949-8463 to learn more about Park Clean-Up Day.

The Park Maintenance Division is responsible for keeping sidewalks and trails free of snow.

Check out the Snow Removal page to learn more about the removal of snow on City streets.

For more information, submit an inquiry to the Parks Maintenance Division.

Submit an inquiry to the Public Works Department for information about parking sign permit applications, or call 952-949-8407.

It is unlawful for any person to stop, park or leave standing any vehicle upon any street for a continuous period in excess of 24 hours.

For more information, see City Code Chapter 8.07, subd 1 [PDF].

When a snow emergency is declared, all vehicles must be removed from City streets to allow for efficient snow removal operations. For a typical snowstorm, plowing begins at 3 a.m.

Visit edenprairie.org/Snow for more information.

A variety of park and trail maps are available at edenprairie.org/Maps.

If you have left or lost something in one of our parks, park buildings or shelters please contact the Community Center at 952-949-8470.

Items found in City parks or at the Community Center will be kept at the Community Center for 30 days. After 30 days, items will be donated to the PROP Shop in Eden Prairie. Items such as keys, wallets, phones, laptops or other electronic devices, sports equipment, jewelry and other items that appear valuable will be sent to the Police Department after 90 days.

Visit the Off Leash Dog Exercise Areas page to find location information, hours and rules and regulations.

The City of Eden Prairie's outdoor skating rinks open late December and close mid-February. Rinks are flooded and swept daily.

Visit the Skating Rinks page to find location information, hours and more.

Visit the Rent a Park Facility page to find a complete list of amenity, capacity and availability information for all Eden Prairie park facility rentals.

Are you in need of meeting space? Visit the Community Center Room Rentals or City Center Room Rentals pages to find information about reserving a room at either of those locations.

The 700-foot Staring Lake Sledding Hill opens in December (start of school winter break) and remains open until mid-February, depending on weather.

Visit the Staring Lake Sledding Hill and Ski Trails page to find location information, hours and more.

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.

Eden Prairie City 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!

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.

edenprairie.org/CityCode

If your vehicle was towed and/or impounded, it was taken to Matt’s Auto unless the officer told you differently. At Matt’s there is a daily storage charge imposed on your vehicle.

Matt’s Auto
6282 Industrial Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
952-949-2900

Click here for more information about traffic-related regulations.

The Police Department offers free car seat safety inspections to Eden Prairie residents for car seats of all sizes. Car seat inspections are by appointment only, on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To schedule an appointment with one of the department's state-certified car seat technicians, please contact the Police Department at 952-949-6200.

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!

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.

Parks and Recreation Program Registration

Register Online

Register in person at the Community Center or Senior Center.

Payment must be made at the time of registration by cash or check (payable to Eden Prairie Community Center), Visa, Discover, MasterCard or American Express.

Questions? Call 952-949-8470 or TTY 952-949-8399.

There are three primary factors that determine your property tax:

• The tax levies of the tax districts you live in
• The value of your property relative to the value of all property in the taxing district
• How you use your property

In addition, there are a number of state laws that affect both the amount of your property tax and the way it is determined.

Your share of the tax levy is based on the value of your property relative to the value of all other property in the tax district. It is also possible that your property value could go up and taxes could go down.

For example, if a taxing district decided not to change the amount of its levy from one year to the next, your tax may go down, go up or remain the same. If the value of your property doesn't change, but the value of the other properties in your district go down, your tax will increase because your share of the total value increased. Likewise, if values of the other properties in your district goes up, your tax will decrease because your share of the total value decreased.

If after receiving your notice of valuation and classification you believe your property value or classification is incorrect, you should contact the Eden Prairie Assessor’s office at 952 949-8511. If the Assessor cannot adequately resolve the problem, you may make an appeal as outlined below:

• The Eden Prairie Board of Appeal and Equalization meets in the spring of each year – usually in April – after value notices are sent. If you wish to appear before the Board, you must submit a timely application. Before you apply, contact the Assessor’s office to discuss your concerns.
• The Hennepin County Board of Appeal and Equalization meets during the last two full weeks in June at the Hennepin County Government Center. If you wish to petition the County Board, you must submit a timely application. In order to appear before the County Board, you must first appear before the local Board of Appeal and Equalization.
• The Minnesota Tax Court is located at 25 Constitution Ave. in St. Paul. All appeals to Tax Court must be filed on or before April 30 of the year the tax becomes payable (M.S. 278.01, Subd. 1).

Note: Owners of income-producing properties must file income and expense data with the Eden Prairie Assessor within 60 days after the filing deadline. Failure to provide this information may result in a dismissal of the petition (M.S. 278.05, Subd. 6).

Each year local governments go through a budget process to determine what services they will provide, how much those services will cost and how those services will be funded.

After taking into account other sources of revenue (such as state paid aid, fees, etc.) the rest is levied on taxable properties. The tax rate for each taxing district is determined by the county auditor by dividing this levy by the taxable value of the property in the district.

Public meetings take place each year to give taxpayers a place to voice their concerns to elected officials.

Property tax information is available from the Hennepin County website. You may also contact Hennepin County Taxpayer Services at 612-348-3011.

In Minnesota, properties with the same market value will be taxed different amounts depending on how they are used.

For instance, commercial property will have a higher tax than residential property of the same value. This is done by using classification rates set by the state legislature to give more weight to the value of commercial property as compared to residential property. For more information, visit the Hennepin County website.

To obtain a copy of an Eden Prairie police report, visit edenprairie.org/PoliceRecords and submit an online request.

Hennepin County offers recycling drop-off locations year-round, visit hennepin.us/DropOffs for locations and hours.

In addition, the City hosts multiple recycling drop-off events each year. Learn more at edenprairie.org/RecyclingEvents.

There are several garbage and recycling haulers that are licensed to provide solid waste services in Eden Prairie. The types of materials — trash, recyclables, yard waste, organics — accepted by each hauler vary.

Visit edenprairie.org/SolidWaste to learn more.

Recycling and solid waste bins are supplied by the garbage and recycling haulers that serve Eden Prairie.

Information about the haulers serving Eden Prairie is available at edenprairie.org/SolidWaste.

Visit hennepin.us/AtoZDisposalGuide for information about recyclable materials.

Hennepin County drop-off facilities collect electronics for no charge and appliances for a nominal fee. Visit the Hennepin County website for more information.

In addition, electronics can be recycled or disposed of at one of the City's several drop-off events scheduled each year.

Learn more at edenprairie.org/RecyclingEvents.

Hennepin County operates free Household Hazardous Waste disposal sites in Bloomington and Brooklyn Park, and also organizes collection events throughout the year.

Visit the Hennepin County website to find drop-off facility locations.

Contact your waste hauler to find out if curbside yard waste pickup is available. A complete list of waste haulers can be found at edenprairie.org/SolidWaste.

The City operates a seasonal Yard Waste Site at 9811 Flying Cloud Drive. Learn more at edenprairie.org/YardWaste.

Hennepin County does not accept yard waste at its drop-off facilities. However, a list of additional yard waste drop-off sites is available at hennepin.us/YardWaste.

Contact the City's sustainability coordinator with questions regarding the Solid Waste License Application process.

To obtain a copy of an Eden Prairie police report, visit edenprairie.org/PoliceRecords and submit an online request.

To obtain a copy of an Eden Prairie fire or inspection report, submit a written request in the form of a letter to the below address. Please include as much information as possible in the request, such as the date, time, nature and location of the fire call or fire inspection.

Fire Department Admin
Eden Prairie Fire Department
14800 Scenic Heights Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Most requests can be processed within 14 days. If information is needed by a specific date, it should be indicated in the request and every effort will be made to meet the request.

When a snow emergency is declared, all vehicles must be removed from City streets to allow for efficient snow removal operations. For a typical snowstorm, plowing begins at 3 a.m.

Visit edenprairie.org/Snow for more information.

The City of Eden Prairie's outdoor skating rinks open late December and close mid-February. Rinks are flooded and swept daily.

Visit the Skating Rinks page to find location information, hours and more.

The 700-foot Staring Lake Sledding Hill opens in December (start of school winter break) and remains open until mid-February, depending on weather.

Visit the Staring Lake Sledding Hill and Ski Trails page to find location information, hours and more.

The Park Maintenance Division is responsible for keeping sidewalks and trails free of snow.

Check out the Snow Removal page to learn more about the removal of snow on City streets.

For more information, submit an inquiry to the Parks Maintenance Division.

The City plows all streets in Eden Prairie, with the exception of state highways, county roads and private streets with neighborhood associations.

Visit the Snow Removal page for more information.

30-day exemptions from the odd/even watering requirements are available for items such as new sod or landscaping.

Visit the Lawn Watering and Lawn Care page of the website for more information and an application.

You can also submit an inquiry to the Utilities Division for more information.

Information about Eden Prairie’s lawn watering restrictions can be found at edenprairie.org/LawnWatering.

For questions about the City’s watering restrictions, submit an inquiry to the Utilities Division.

It is prohibited to allow vegetation to grow to a height greater than 10 inches, or allow such vegetation to go to seed.

If you identify a property where the grass is over 10 inches high from June through September, contact the Parks Maintenance Division.

For more information, see City Code 9.71, subd 2.

The size of the fire must be limited to 3 feet in diameter and must be at least 25 feet from any building or combustible structure, such as decks or fences. Only wood may be burned, with a minimum of 1 inch in diameter. No brush, yard waste or treated wood may be burned. No rubbish can be burned at any time.

Learn more about Eden Prairie's recreational fire regulations at edenprairie.org/RecreationalFires.

The City of Eden Prairie regulates the use of grills in multiple-family dwellings by ordinance. Whether you own or rent, if you live in a structure containing three or more dwelling units with at least two vertically stacked, the use of any fire or open flame is prohibited on any balcony above ground level, or on any ground level patio within 15 feet of the structure.

Learn more about barbecue grill safety.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Eden Prairie Fire Department at 952-949-8556.

Submit the Landscape Watering Exemption Request form.

More information on lawn watering in Eden Prairie is available on the Lawn Watering and Lawn Care page of the website.

Contact your waste hauler to find out if curbside yard waste pickup is available. A complete list of waste haulers can be found at edenprairie.org/SolidWaste.

The City operates a seasonal Yard Waste Site at 9811 Flying Cloud Drive. Learn more at edenprairie.org/YardWaste.

Hennepin County does not accept yard waste at its drop-off facilities. However, a list of additional yard waste drop-off sites is available at hennepin.us/YardWaste.

If you have left or lost something in one of our parks, park buildings or shelters please contact the Community Center at 952-949-8470.

Items found in City parks or at the Community Center will be kept at the Community Center for 30 days. After 30 days, items will be donated to the PROP Shop in Eden Prairie. Items such as keys, wallets, phones, laptops or other electronic devices, sports equipment, jewelry and other items that appear valuable will be sent to the Police Department after 90 days.

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.

The Park Maintenance Division is responsible for keeping sidewalks and trails free of snow.

Check out the Snow Removal page to learn more about the removal of snow on City streets.

For more information, submit an inquiry to the Parks Maintenance Division.

The City plows all streets in Eden Prairie, with the exception of state highways, county roads and private streets with neighborhood associations.

Visit the Snow Removal page for more information.

Submit an inquiry to the Engineering Division or call 952-949-8316 to find out if your property is assessed.

Most street lights in the City of Eden Prairie are owned and maintained by Xcel Energy and you can report the problem by calling Xcel at 800-960-6235.

You may also report the outage using EP SEE CLICK FIX, or call 952-949-8407.

Submit an inquiry to the Public Works Department for information about parking sign permit applications, or call 952-949-8407.

Contact the Streets Maintenance Division to obtain barricades and flashers for block parties.

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.

Road restrictions are typically in effect from March 1 to May 1.

The City follows MnDOT Seasonal Load Limits, and can issue over-weight permits for special circumstances by calling 952-949-8330.

In addition, some local roads have year-round weight restrictions which are posted at each end of the restricted section of roadway.

County roads are limited to 10 tons per axle year-round.

State highway load limits are determined by MnDOT.

For more information, submit an inquiry to the Engineering Division or call 952-949-8407.

If your property is damaged by a City snow plow, you may report the damage to the Streets Maintenance Division or call 952-949-8407.

The City repairs mailboxes and sod that are damaged by physical contact with City-operated plow trucks.

Submit an inquiry to the Engineering Division for information about oversize/overweight vehicle permits or call 952-949-8407.

A list of the major road construction projects can be found on the Infrastructure Projects page of the website.

You may also contact the Engineering Division at 952-9494-8407.

The Park Maintenance Division is responsible for keeping sidewalks and trails free of snow.

Check out the Snow Removal page to learn more about the removal of snow on City streets.

For more information, submit an inquiry to the Parks Maintenance Division.

The City plows all streets in Eden Prairie, with the exception of state highways, county roads and private streets with neighborhood associations.

Visit the Snow Removal page for more information.

The utility budget is funded entirely by user fees, not tax dollars. The utility rate structure is designed to maintain the system as it ages and encourage water conservation.

More information can be found on the Water and Sewer Rates page.

• Web based online payment – login to EP Bill Pay.
• Phone payments – call 952-949-8382, option 1.
• Paper check – sent by whatever means you choose, including US Postal Service (note: many paper checks today are converted into electronic transactions once they are received) to:
  City of Eden Prairie
  8080 Mitchell Road
  Eden Prairie, MN 55344
• Cash – in person at the City Center. If paying by cash, please note the City does not accept bills larger than $20. Do not send cash through the mail.

Call Utility Billing during business hours at 952-949-8382, or submit a request to be contacted by our staff the next business day.

On the request form please describe why you want to be contacted and provide your account and customer numbers, in addition to your email and phone number.

Approximately two days before or after your closing, you will need to submit a request to start or stop service. We will need a meter reading and the buyer's name of your current home. We will also need a forwarding address for mailing the final bill. If there is a credit balance on the account, the refund could be delayed if we do not have a forwarding address.

Homeowner Water and Sewer Utilities START Service Request

Homeowner Water and Sewer Utilities STOP Service Request

Tenant Water and Sewer Utilities Start Service Request

Sewer charges are based upon water usage during the winter months.

To calculate sewer use, the City reads your water meter during the winter months to determine a quarterly average. This is beneficial for our customers because water use is substantially less in the winter.

However, if a customer's current actual water use is less than the winter average, then the sewer charge is based on actual water use.

For more information, submit an inquiry to Utility Billing.

A water bill is considered a lien against the property. Your real estate agent and/or title company should inform you of any outstanding water bills during the purchasing process, or you can contact Utility Billing for that information.

When you or the previous owner calls the City to change ownership information, please supply the water meter reading on the date of closing and a forwarding address for the seller. A final bill will then be forwarded to the previous owner. If you don't know the forwarding address, contact your real estate agent who can work with the previous owner's agent to take care of the outstanding bill.

If these remedies do not work, the bill must be paid by current homeowner.

Eden Prairie Water and Sewer Rates

We always work hard with our customers to avoid termination of water service.

If you cannot pay your bill, or can only pay a portion of it, please contact Utility Billing.

No, the City does not turn off water when someone moves. When moving in or out of a home that is owned (not rented) it is the buyer and seller’s responsibility to contact the City promptly.

The City will need names, move dates, forwarding address and a current reading to set up an accurate account. The City does not read meters in-between normal bill cycles. Failure to provide a reading could result in delayed or estimated billing.

Homeowner Water and Sewer Utilities START Service Request

Homeowner Water and Sewer Utilities STOP Service Request

Water bills are based on how much water is used. Watering the lawn or garden will increase usage, as will the addition of occupants in the home. Leaks can also lead to an increase your water bill.

If your bill is higher than usual or you have any questions about your bill, please contact Utility Billing.

It's possible your water meter’s remote data device may have stopped transmitting, or your water usage may have been flagged as unusually high or very low for your property.

If your billing statement reads “estimate” next to the water consumption reading, you should contact Utility Billing to determine the cause of the estimate.

30-day exemptions from the odd/even watering requirements are available for items such as new sod or landscaping.

Visit the Lawn Watering and Lawn Care page of the website for more information and an application.

You can also submit an inquiry to the Utilities Division for more information.

Call the Utilities Division at 952-949-8530 to schedule an appointment. Once the water is turned on, a walk-through of the property must be done to ensure that no flooding or damage is going to be caused by frozen pipes, open faucets, etc. and to ensure the water meter is working properly.

For questions about utility billing or setting up an account, call Utility Billing during business hours at 952-949-8382, or submit a request to be contacted by our staff the next business day.

If the water has been turned off at the property water service valve (commonly called the curb stop), an appointment must be scheduled to meet Utilities Division staff to turn on the water. Once the water is turned on, a walk-through of the property must be done to ensure that no flooding or damage is going to be caused by frozen pipes, open faucets, etc. and to ensure the water meter is working properly.

The utility budget is funded entirely by user fees, not tax dollars. The utility rate structure is designed to maintain the system as it ages and encourage water conservation.

More information can be found on the Water and Sewer Rates page.

Water meters are read remotely by City personnel.

The meter in your home is connected to a sensor that transmits the reading electronically to a receiver.

This information is then uploaded into our utility billing software so that invoices can be calculated.

Your meter is located inside (not outside) the house, usually in the basement near the hot water heater. The water meter could also be in a crawl space, pit in the floor, or utility room. Generally it will be nearest to the street side of the house. You are looking for a pipe coming through the basement floor. The meter is round, about the size of a fist and reads like an odometer.

Most properties have two shut-off valves on either side of the meter. One in the piping on the inlet side of the water meter and the other valve is on the discharge side of the water meter. Occasionally there will be just one valve. You will want to be familiar with the location of these valves, as these are the valves you would close if a pipe breaks in your house or if you’re doing plumbing repairs and need to have the water off.

Meter repair appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday with the first time at 8 a.m. and the last time at 2 p.m.

Contact the Utilities Division at 952-949-8530 for an appointment.

Information about Eden Prairie’s lawn watering restrictions can be found at edenprairie.org/LawnWatering.

For questions about the City’s watering restrictions, submit an inquiry to the Utilities Division.

If a recent loss of water pressure has occurred at all the faucets in the building, make sure the meter valves next to the water meter are open. If the meter valves are open and the recent loss of water pressure persists, contact the Utilities Division at 952-949-8530.

If low water pressure has been a long-term problem and there are no apparent water leaks, some or all of these items may cause poor water pressure:

• Meter valves and other valves not fully open.
• Clogged screens on faucets.
• Faulty pressure-reducing valve (not every home has this device).
• Faulty pressure-boosting pump (only some properties have a booster pump).
• Corroded plumbing (in older construction homes).

You may need to contact a plumber for professional advice if the problem stems from within the home. Maintenance on all water piping on private property is the responsibility of the property owner. The City advises homeowners to seek advice and obtain bids from at least three licensed plumbers who are familiar with low-water pressure problems.

Between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, contact the Utilities Division at 952-949-8530.

After 3:30 p.m. on weekdays or on weekends, contact the Police Department at 952-949-6200.

Leaks most often go undetected until your water bill arrives.

To find a leak within your home:

• Record the numbers on your water meter just before you go to bed.
• Do not use any water during the night.
• Turn off irrigation, icemakers, humidifiers, water softeners and anything else that might use water.
• Read the meter again in the morning.
• If the meter has changed, there is a leak.

If you find a leak in the irrigation system, faucets or toilets, visit the Water Conservation Rebate Programs page of the website to determine if there are any funds available to offset your repairs.

Toilet leaks are due to water from the tank seeping into the toilet bowl. From there, the water goes into the sewer system. If you can hear the toilet running or need to jiggle the handle to get it to stop running after you flush, you have a toilet leak. Sometimes you cannot hear the leak.

To determine if you have a leak, place a dye tablet or several drops of food coloring into the tank and don’t flush the toilet for about a half an hour. If the dye coloring has seeped into the stool from the tank, it is leaking. A common cause of this leak is a deteriorated flapper that needs to be replaced. Local hardware stores carry new flappers which are inexpensive and include installation instructions. If you determine that you need a new toilet, visit the Water Conservation Rebate Programs page of the website to determine if there are any funds available to offset the cost.

This metal object is the access valve for shutting off your property’s water service from the street. Over time, as the ground moves because of frost and settling, the fixture can become covered by soil or will stick up out of the ground. Sometimes when a property is prepared for initial sale, the landscaping is accidentally made to cover the water valve. Many times the water service is installed before the home is built, and the garage is constructed directly in front of this valve, resulting in the driveway passing over the water service valve. The cap which covers this fixture may also get knocked off or broken.

This fixture is a crucial component of your home’s water service. Should you ever experience a major water leak within your house, this valve is what the City will use to prevent your home from flooding. Please do not cover this fixture with landscaping or otherwise bury it so that it cannot be easily found. The City will, at no charge, come out and adjust this fixture to ground level and install a new cap if needed. Contact the Utilities Division at 952-949-8530.

In an average home, flushing the toilet is the largest single use of water. Without counting lawn watering, typical percentages of water use for a family of four are:

• Toilet flushing — 40%
• Bath and Shower — 32%
• Laundry — 14%
• Dish washing — 6%
• Cooking and drinking — 5%
• Bathroom sinks — 3%

Submit the Landscape Watering Exemption Request form.

More information on lawn watering in Eden Prairie is available on the Lawn Watering and Lawn Care page of the website.

Your water meter is located inside your house, approximately 1 foot off the basement floor. It is usually on the street-side of the house near your water heater. It could also be in a crawl space or utility room. It is not outside. The meter is on the incoming water pipe that normally comes up through the floor or wall.

The head of the meter is approximately 4 inches in diameter. The water meter will have a cover that flips open to show the face of the meter (pictured at right). Read the eight numbers shown in the dials above “GALLONS,” from left to right.

Property owners are responsible for all water piping located on their property. This includes all the water piping inside the building and the underground water service to the property line.

The City of Eden Prairie is responsible for maintenance of the water meter. If the meter is not working properly, or if you suspect there is a problem with your water meter’s accuracy, please call utility operations at 952-949-8530 to schedule a repair visit. There is no charge to investigate a suspected meter problem.

Between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on week days, contact the Utilities Division at 952-949-8530.

After 3:30 p.m. on week days or on weekends, contact the Police Department at 952-949-6200.

First, make sure that the valves at your water meter were not accidentally turned off.

There may be construction in the area, repairs or an emergency that resulted in the water being shut off.

When a water system repair is scheduled by the City, the Utilities Division sends people door-to-door at least 24 hours in advance of the repair, leaving notices at each address served by the system which will be shut off. If the repair is an emergency, City crews make every effort to contact residents by going door-to-door prior to the shut off.

If you suddenly have no water during a particularly cold snap, you may have frozen pipes. Call the Utilities Division at 952-949-8530 for advice on how to proceed or call the Police Department at 952-949-6200 if the problem occurs after hours.

Do not simply warm the area and leave – frozen pipes are usually broken by the ice inside the pipes and may not leak until they thaw. You may wind up with a flood.

The City performs a coliform bacteria test monthly on both natural springs in Eden Prairie. The test is pass/fail, so the results are only posted if a sample fails, and written notification is posted at the natural spring until there is a passing result.

Learn more about Eden Prairie's natural springs

Not exactly. It is true that all the water that ever was and ever will be is in the Earth’s environment today. It simply changes physical form or is relocated to another place.

The overwhelming majority of the water we withdraw from our drinking water wells winds up on Eden Prairie’s lawns. This irrigation water either soaks into the ground, or evaporates into the sky. The water vapor in the atmosphere eventually comes back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc., but it always falls back to Earth far from where it evaporated into the air.

The water that soaks into the ground will either be absorbed by plants (the grass on your lawn) and ultimately passed into the atmosphere, remain perched within the soil, or will migrate through the soil and into a stream.

Almost all of Eden Prairie’s water that is not used for irrigation finds its way into the sanitary sewer system (between 5- and 8-million gallons of water each day). This water is treated and released into the Minnesota River, ultimately combining with the Mississippi River a few miles away. So in a sense, Eden Prairie’s valuable ground water pumped from wells far beneath the surface of the ground is contributing to the flow of the mighty Mississippi.

Water withdrawn from the City’s 15 water wells is very pristine. It could be safely consumed without treatment of any kind.

Eden Prairie softens the water using a process that bonds the naturally occurring calcium and magnesium in the water to a form of calcium introduced into the water as lime. The lime bonds with the calcium and magnesium to form particles large enough to settle or precipitate out of the water. Calcium is the predominant cause of hardness in water, so this precipitation process results in much softer water.

Minnesota well water also naturally contains a significant amount of dissolved iron. The iron is harmless, but gives the water a bad taste. The lime softening process also removes the dissolved iron from our water, making it very palatable.

Another additive, ferric chloride, is dissolved into the water after softening to enhance the precipitation process by forming “clinging” particles or “floc” that adhere to one another and to particulate matter in the water. Any particles remaining from the softening process are captured in this form of treatment by the clingy floc, and the floc begins sticking to itself until the particles become large enough and heavy enough to settle to the bottom of the treatment basin. The “stickiness” is caused by an electro-chemical bond between the floc and the particulates in the water, similar to when you rub a balloon on your head and stick it to the wall. The particles and the floc in the water move toward one another just as the balloon moves toward the wall.

As the water leaves this process, chlorine is introduced in minute amounts to ensure the water remains free of bacteria in the distribution system.

A chemical called polyphosphate is added to the water to ensure the liquid does not corrode the plumbing in your home. This protects you from lead or copper contamination that could otherwise leach from the pipes within your home.

Carbon dioxide may be used at times in small quantities to keep the water from becoming too basic – another anti-corrosion measure. Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring substance already found in ground water.

Fluoride is an important addition to Eden Prairie’s drinking water. All public water systems are required to ensure that public drinking water contains a very small quantity of fluoride to enhance the prevention of tooth decay.

If you would like more information about Eden Prairie’s water treatment process, please submit an inquiry to the Water Treatment Plant.

Information about Eden Prairie's drinking water and other water-related information is available at edenprairie.org/DrinkingWater.

If you can't find the information you're looking for, contact the Utilities Division at 952-949-8530.