Engineering

Permits

Engineering office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.  Note, however, that permits can be applied for and issued online while the engineering office is closed.  If you need public works emergency response, please contact our 24-hour emergency numbers for natural gas (730-4100) or water/sewer/etc. (730-4000).  For Street Maintenance related concerns, please contact 730-5100 and leave a detailed message or use the Resident Problem Reporter to report non-emergency issues.

Construction of a driveway opening within the public right-of-way requires an approved application and an excavation permit, secured by a bond and insurance.

  • Complete the excavation permit through the online system (See dropdown below)

A surety bond in the sum of $10,000 and a general comprehensive liability insurance policy is required before a driveway permit can be issued. Permits may be issued on the day of application if all requirements are met.

Driveway entrance specifications and regulations must be followed.

Fee: $135.00 (includes $65.00 base fee plus $70.00 inspection fee)

Greater than 3,000 square feet and less than 10,000 square feet: $200

Greater than 10,000 square feet and less than 1 acre: $400

Equal to or greater than 1 acre: $925

Contact Tom Johnson at (218) 730-5103 or tajohnson@duluthmn.gov for more information

Apply Online

If you are a new applicant and need to be set up with a contractor login or have questions about the online application process, please contact Engineering at (218) 730-5200. 

Excavation within the public right-of-way for sanitary/storm sewer connections or repairs, steam line repair, gas/water connections, repairs, or leaks requires an excavation permit secured with a bond and insurance.

A surety bond in the sum of $10,000 and a general comprehensive liability insurance policy is required before a permit can be issued. Applications for permits to close a road to traffic must be submitted a minimum of 5 business days prior to the date of the proposed closure.

Permits are issued for a two-week period; however, whoever is performing the excavation is responsible for the maintenance of the trench caused by the excavation.

Fee: $135.00 (includes $65.00 base fee plus $70.00 inspection fee).

Contact Construction Services and Inspection Division at (218) 730-5240 for more information and to request the moving permit form or look for the necessary forms on their Document Library page.

If a mover is not state licensed, a Transportation/Oversized Load Permit is required and the mover may only move a structure less than 16'x20'.

If a mover is state licensed, a Transportation/Oversized Load Permit is not required.  Only state licensed movers are allowed to move structures 16'x20' or larger.

  • Mobile home moving note: only state licensed movers may move a new unit.  Those without a state license may only move used units.
  • Minnesota state highways: To move a structure using state highways, contact MnDOT for the proper state forms.
  • County roads/highways in St. Louis County: To move a structure using St. Louis County roads/highways, contact St. Louis County for the proper county forms.

Apply Online

Online Obstruction Permit Instructions

If you are a new applicant and need to be set up with a contractor login or have questions about the online application process, please contact Engineering at (218) 730-5200. 

Occupying any portion of the public right-of-way may require an obstruction permit. Many activities such as sidewalk repairs, roll-off boxes, scaffolding for building repair and maintenance, blocking any portion of the right-of-way with construction vehicles, materials, or any other activity that results in the obstruction of a portion or all of a street, alley, or sidewalk may necessitate an obstruction permit.

A surety bond in the sum of $10,000 and a general comprehensive liability insurance policy is required before an obstruction permit can be issued.  Applications for permits to close a road to traffic must be submitted a minimum of 5 business days prior to the date of the proposed closure.

Minimum fee: $58.00 (additional charges will apply if parking spaces and/or meters will be occupied, if the permit is downtown, and if no park signs are needed).

To obtain an obstruction permit for an event, please see the Special Event License under the City Clerk's Office.

Find more information out from Parking Services

Note: Sand may not be removed from Park Point.  Sand may only be moved from one parcel to another on Park Point on approval of the Park Point Sand Transfer Permit.

Contact Engineering at (218) 730-5200 for more information.

Apply Online

The soil boring appplication is completed through the online permit system under the excavation permit heading.

For soil borings located within City street right-of-way, upon completion of the soil boring log, applicant shall convey a copy of the log, at no cost to the City, to Bill Bergstrom at bbergstrom@duluthmn.gov.

Fee: $135.00

The Transportation Permit for Oversize/Overweight allows for truck/trailer/load combinations that exceed the maximum dimensions and weight specified in state law to operate on City roads.

Please note that the seasonal permit only applies to those local contractors that move their own construction machinery and equipment for their own use.

A Transportation Permit for Oversize/Overweight is required when:

  • An overall loaded width exceeds 8 ft, 6 in
  • An overall loaded height exceeds 13 ft, 6 in
  • An overall loaded length exceeds 75 ft, 0 in on combination vehicles
  • An overall loaded length exceeds 45 ft, 0 in on single vehicles
  • When the overall Gross Vehicle Weight exceeds 80,000 lbs

Obtaining a Permit:

If you are a new applicant and need to be set up with a contractor login or have questions about the online application process, please contact Engineering at 218-730-5200. If you are a permitting company applying on behalf of a trucking company, you should enter your company as the “applicant” and the trucking company as the “contractor.”

The typical time for permit approval is within two business days. Please allow up to one week for Aerial Lift Bridge review and approval. If you need a permit to cross the Aerial Lift Bridge sooner than one week, there is an option for a 48-Hour Rush Review. Please be aware that this rush review has a considerably higher fee as noted in the fee section below. 

City single trip permits are valid for seven consecutive days, and will not be issued more than seven days before the permit start date.

A City permit is not valid on township, county or state roads and highways. Please make sure you have all required permits to cover your route.

Please review the State Aid System Map and Road Closure Map when selecting your route. You are responsible for making sure your vehicle can maneuver sharp turns and meet bridge clearances along route, if applicable.

Escorts are required for loads that cross the centerline, another driving lane in the same direction, or are wider than 14 ft 6 in.

Fees: 

  • Single Movement: $72.00
  • Seasonal: (Local Construction Equipment Only): $140.00
  • Aerial Lift Bridge: $400.00 minimum, plus $150 per hour for any review greater than 2 hours. $1,200 Rush, plus $150 per hour for any review greater than 2 hours.

Payment Options: Credit Card

Travel Hours

Holiday Travel Restrictions:

No OSOW travel is allowed statewide from 2:00 p.m. the day before the holiday to 2:00 a.m. the day after the holiday, when exceeding 9’0” wide and/or 110’0” long.

Summer Travel Restrictions: (weekend after Memorial Day thru weekend before Labor Day)

No OSOW travel is allowed from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays, when exceeding 9’0” wide and/or 110’0” long.