Permits, Licenses, Zoning and Land Use Matters
The City of Gem Lake requires that anyone performing work within the City must first obtain a permit before the work is started. A contractor that is not licensed by the State of Minnesota also will be required to obtain a City license. Land use matters such as re-zoning, subdivision of land and other such activities also require a request form. Other business and home activities are also licensed by the City. See the City of Gem Lake fee schedule, on this web site for the fee required for all permits and licenses.
All permits and licenses can be obtained at the City of Gem Lake City Hall (Heritage Hall) located at 4200 Otter Lake Road, Gem Lake, on the corner of Goose Lake Road and Otter Lake Road in Gem Lake.
City of Gem Lake
4200 Otter Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110
Phone 651-747-2790 Fax 651-747-2795
Hours of operation 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday, closed Fridays.
Payment Options
Gem Lake Heritage Hall accepts the following forms of payment
- Cash (must be exact)
- Check (made out to the “City of Gem Lake“)
- Credit/Debit Card (3% fee will be assessed)
Construction Permits and Inspections
The City of Gem Lake requires that anyone performing work within the city must first obtain a permit. Work or activity done without a permit may be subject to fine and removal. You may download a copy of the permit application from this web site page.
The following activities require a permit:
- Building/Remodeling
- Roofing/Siding
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Sewer & Water Connections
- Septic Removal/Sewer Connections
- ISTS (Septic system) Construction or Re-construction
- Mechanical/Heating
- Grading
- Signs
- Tree Removal
- Wetland Alteration
- Erosion and Stormwater Control
- Driveways
- Relocation of Buildings
- Burning
Contact the City of Gem Lake building inspector if you have questions.
Zoning , Subdivision and other Land Use Matters
Any of the following listed activities requires an application to the City of Gem Lake and payment of related fees. Contact the City of Gem Lake Zoning Administrator if you need help or advice.
- Rezoning of land
- Zoning Ordinance amendment
- Comprehensive Plan amendment
- Planned Unit Development (PUD)
- Variance
- Sub-division of land
- Conditional or Interim Use permit
- EAW/EIS (Environmental permits)
- Appeals or adjustments
The forms for most of these actions are provided on this Website. Complete the form and return it to the City of Gem Lake. The Building Inspector or the Zoning Administrator will help answer your questions.
City of Gem Lake
4200 Otter Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110
Phone 651-747-2790 FAX 651-747-2795
Hours of operation 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday, closed Fridays
NOTE: Most of the Zoning matters identified here will require public hearings and appearances before the City of Gem Lake Planning Commission and/or the City Council before approval will be given. The City Council of the City of Gem Lake is the final authority that can give final approval on all Zoning Matters.
City Licenses and other charges
The following city licenses and charges are also handled by the City of Gem Lake:
- Adult Use Business License
- Agricultural Animal Keeping – Agricultural Animal Keeping Interim Use Permit Application
- Amusement Device License
- Archery Deer Hunting – Archery Deer Hunting Permit Application
- Business Licenses
- Business License Application
- Edible Cannabinoid Products License Application
- Liquor License Packet – On Sale, Sunday and Off Sale (Off Sale additional state document required for approval)
- Optional 2 A.M. Liquor License – State of MN
- Tobacco License Packet
- Contractor License (if not State of Minnesota licensed)
- Chicken Keeping – Chicken Keeping License Application
- Dog License – Dog License Application
- False Alarm Charges
- Golf Cart Permit – Golf Cart Permit Application
- Heritage Hall Rental – Room Rental Application, Room Rental Policy
- Kennels
- Pawnbroker License
- Rental Units – Rental Property License
- Special Home Occupation Permit
- Stables
- Working in right-of-way Permit – Right-of-Way Permit Application
City of Gem Lake
4200 Otter Lake Road
Gem Lake, MN 55110
Phone 651-747-2790 FAX 651-747-2795
Hours of operation 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday, closed Fridays