Public Works (Highway)
Forms, Applications and Permits
We have a number of forms and permit applications available for download. If you do not see the form or application you need, please contact Public Works.
List of Permits and Forms available:
Access and Driveway Permit on County Highway (Approach Permit)
Access and Right-of-Way Width Guidelines
Access to State Highway
Access to Township Roads
Adopt-A-Highway Permit
Oversized Moving Permit Information
Permits to Work in Stearns County Right of Way
Swing Away Mailbox Supports
Access & Driveway Permit on County Highway
All new, revised or changed use accesses onto county roads shall be subject to the access and corridor protection guidelines of the Stearns County Comprehensive Plan. The Public Works Director shall determine the appropriate location, size and design of such accesses and may limit the number of accesses in the interest of public safety and efficient traffic flow. Accesses on any county highway shall require a driveway access permit from the Stearns County Public Works Director. Issuance of a driveway access permit from the Stearns County Public Works Director shall be precedent to the issuance of any construction site or use permit.
The Applicant will be required to pay the full cost of the culvert if required, culvert delivery of $75.00, Entrance Permit Inspection Fee of $100.00.
Download Access (Approach) Permit
Download Access and Right-of-Way Width Guidelines
Accesses on any state highway shall require the approval of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT).
For information on obtaining an access permit along a state road or highway, please contact the Minnesota Department of Transportation at 320.255.4176.
Accesses on any township road shall require the approval of the appropriate Township Board of Supervisors.
See the Stearns County Township Supervisors' list
The Adopt A Highway Program for the Stearns County Highway Department began in 1990. One of the most important objectives and reasons for having this program is the Public Relations it creates between Stearns County and its citizens. It gives the people involved in the program a chance to see just how much work is involved for the County in maintaining the county ditches and how people have abused these ditches in the past by littering. The groups involved in the program get publicity as well by having their names put on an informational sign that lets the traveling public know who is maintaining the road ditch in that area. Our segments are generally a two-mile stretch. We do not save money in maintenance by having this program, but everyone involved gains education and it is great for public relations.
Download the Adopt-A-Highway Permit
We thank the Adopt-A-Highway Volunteers!
Oversized Moving Permit - Stearns County
This permit is intended for oversize, overweight equipment and building moving on county roads. A permit for movement is required if equipment and or vehicles including load exceed the following legal limitations:
LEGAL DIMENSION LIMITATIONS – A permit for movement is required if equipment and/or vehicles including load exceed the following legal limitations:
maximum over all width-8’6"; maximum overhaul height-13’6"; maximum overall length-single motor vehicle=40 feet, truck crane = 45 feet, semitrailer = 48 feet, trailer/semitrailer in 3 vehicle combination = 28 feet 6 inches, combination of 2 vehicles = 65 feet, truck tractor semitrailer combination exceeding 65 feet and "twin trailer" 3 vehicle combinations exceeding 55 feet limited to designed routes. A trailer is limited to 45 feet long with 65 feet the maximum overall length of a truck and trailer combination.
LEGAL GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATION – The gross weight on any one axle shall not exceed 18,000 lbs. on 9-Ton Routes nor 20,000 lbs. on 10-Ton Designated Routes. Non tandem axle group shall exceed 34,000 lbs. on all routes. A single axle is defined by law as including all wheels whose centers may be within 40 inches apart. Wheel load may not exceed 600 lbs. per inch width of tire nor the manufactures recommended load, whichever is less. The maximum total gross weight on all axles may not exceed 73,280 on 5-axle combination except on all interstate and 10-Ton Designated routes where a 5-axle combination may not exceed 80,000 lbs. A 6-axle combination of vehicles may not exceed a total gross weight of 80,000 lbs. on all routes.
OTHER JURISDICTION AUTHORIZATION FOR MOVEMENT OVER STREETS AND ROADS OTHER THAN THE COUNTY HIGHWAYS MUST BE OBTAINED FROM THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES UNDER WHOSE JURISDICTION SUCH STREETS AND ROADS OR HIGHWAYS COME.
Download the Moving Permit(182 Kb Adobe Acrobat document)
Please contact the Public Works office by mail or phone between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. weekdays for more information.
NOTE: For information on obtaining a moving permit for state roads or highways, please contact the Minnesota Department of Transportation at 320.255.4181.
Working in Stearns County Right Of Way
There are three types of permits for working within county right of way. There is a minimum fee of $100 for each permit (for up to 1 mile of work in the right-of-way) . Each additional mile is $50.00 per mile. In addition to the fee, there is also a bonding requirement. A $500.00 bond is required if the work will be done outside of the roadway, and a $1500.00 bond is required if work will be done within the roadway. Utility companies are required to have a $100,000.00 bond.
NOTE: For information on obtaining a permit to work within the right of way along state roads or highways, please contact the Minnesota Department of Transportation at 320.255.4176.
The three types of Stearns County permits are as follows:
Property Owner Construction Permit
This type of permit is required if a property owner wants to construct or remove anything within county right of way.
Download Property Owner Construction Permit
This type of permit is required if an individual wants to add or remove drain tile or alter the drainage, with or without culverts, within county right of way.
Download Drainage/Tiling Permit
Utility Permit
This type of permit is required for the placement, removal, repair or relocation of any utility within county right of way.
It is the goal of Stearns County to provide public rights of way for the traveling public that are safe, efficient, and are free of unnecessary hazards, while providing minimum inconvenience to property owners. Minnesota law declares certain mailbox installations to be a public nuisance, a road hazard, and a danger to the health and safety of the traveling public (Minnesota Rules Chapter 8818), and authorizes a road authority to remove and replace such a support (Statute 169.072).
Mailbox Support Policy
Mailbox Support Diagram
Mailbox Support Installation Form