Yes, ePermits are available for many common residential projects. For projects requiring plan review, our building, mechanical and plumbing permits are in PDF format on our website and can be emailed to savageinspections@ci.savage.mn.us. We do not accept credit card payments over the phone or via fax. Please contact the Building Inspections Department at 952-882-2650 if you have any questions.

A building permit is only required for certain types of fences. Please refer to the fence handout for specific fence requirements.

If the wall is over 4 feet tall, a building permit is required. Engineering or manufacturer's specifications will also be required. The retaining wall may not encroach in the drainage of the property. Contact the City of Savage Engineering Department for questions related to drainage issues.

A building permit is only required for sheds that exceed 200 square feet in size. Contact the Planning Department for additional requirements or special permits that may apply.

No, electrical inspections are performed by the State Electrical Inspector, Justin Doebbling. His phone number is (612) 643-1838. Inspections can be made online at jdinspectionsmn.com. Electrical permits can be obtained at the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry.

The City of Savage performs inspections only on active building permits. Refer to the Minnesota Attorney General Handbook for information on tenants rights and responsibilities.

The City of Savage cannot provide homeowners this type of inspection service. The City performs inspections on active permits only. Independent inspectors can be hired to do these types of troubleshooting inspections.

Smoke detectors are required for the entire house when remodeling or finishing a basement. Smoke detectors must be hard wired with battery backup in the newly remodeled areas. They should be interconnected whenever possible.

The purpose of a building permit is to provide minimum construction standards established by the International Code Council so as to provide safeguards for life or limb, health, property and welfare by regulating design, construction, materials, use and the type of occupancy of all buildings. A building permit must be obtained any time a building or structure is erected, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, converted or demolished. The average turn around time is 10 business days.

The Department of Commerce recommends the following steps before you hire a contractor.

• Call the Department of Labor & Industry at 651-284-5065 to see if the contractor is licensed or has been disciplined by the organization.
• Contact the Builders Association of the Twin Cities at 651-697-1954 or the Builders Association of Minnesota at 651-646-7959 to determine if the builder is a member.
• Contact the Better Business Bureau at 651-699-1111 to find out whether a particular contractor has had any complaints filed against him/her.
• Ask the contractor for references and call the references provided.
• Obtain a copy of the Minnesota Attorney General's publication called "Citizen's Guide to Home Building and Remodeling" by calling 651-296-3353 or 1-800-657-3787. This brochure also has information explaining mechanics liens.

The City does not have a surveyor on staff and cannot survey property; a land surveyor registered with the State of Minnesota is required. The city has some certificate of surveys on file from original construction. Please check with the Building Inspections Department to see if the original survey is on file for your property.

Once the as-built survey, sod and trees have been approved, the escrow will be released to whomever paid the escrow to the City. If you are not sure of the status of your as-built, please call your builder.

A drainage easement runs along a line between your property and your neighbor's property. As long as the pipe does not cross the property line, your neighbor is allowed to direct the discharge in that direction. You may want to work with your neighbor to move the pipe around in different places to change the location of discharge from time to time.

An as-built survey is a survey that the builder submits after the rough grade is completed on a lot. It is reviewed to ensure that the City's minimum grading requirements are met and that the property conforms to the adjacent properties.

The as-built survey must be approved before any further work may be done on the property. Check with your builder to make sure an as-built survey has been submitted to the City for approval. Sod, irrigation systems, and landscape materials may not be installed until the as-built survey is approved. This typically takes two weeks from the time it is submitted to the City.

A variety of city maps are located on the city website and are available at city hall.

Sod may be laid after the City approves the as-built survey. This typically takes two weeks from the time the as-built is submitted to the City. Check with your builder to make sure an as-built survey has been submitted to the City for approval.

Check with your builder to make sure an as-built survey has been submitted to the City for approval. You can install a sprinkler system after the as-built survey has been approved by the City's grading inspector, and you have received a building permit from the Building Inspections Department.

You can pay for your ROW Permit online.

The majority of as-built surveys are reviewed in the office only. However, if there is an area of concern, an inspector may visit the property.

These markings or flags indicate where excavation will occur. Contact Gopher State One Call (GSOC) at 651-454-0002 before starting any excavation project. Whether the project is large or small, if you are using machine-powered equipment or just a shovel and rake to plant a garden, get your work area marked. Contacting GSOC in advance helps you and your loved ones dig safely while avoiding costly damages to underground facilities. For more information about types of tickets and ticket response codes, please go to our ticketing page.

• White: Area of proposed excavation
• Pink: Temporary survey markings
• Red: Electric
• Yellow: Gas, oil, steam, propane
• Orange: Communication, CATV, fiber
• Blue: Water
• Purple: Reclaimed water, irrigation
• Green: Sewer

City policy allows deferred payment of special assessments for any homestead property owned by a person 65 years of age or older or retired due to a permanent and total disability for which it would be a hardship to make the payments. The policy determines your eligibility based on income and property value limits. A deferment is good for 1 year and must be reapplied for every year by September 1.

A deferment does not reduce or forgive the amount owed, rather it postpones the payment. During the deferment, interest will accrue on the unpaid amount at the annual interest rate. The assessment plus interest will become due when you no longer qualify for the deferral.

If you are interested in learning about the income, property value and other qualifying requirements for a deferral, contact the Finance Director at 952-882-2691. The policy and an application will be sent to you.

The amount of the assessment charged is based on the type of improvement. The City’s fee schedule, which is adopted each year, lists assessed amounts for common improvements such as a mill and overlay as well as full depth mill and overlay.

Questions or concerns about your property's assessed market value should be directed to the Scott County Assessor's Office at 952-496-8115.

An average valued home of $275,992 pays approximately $1,268 annually in city taxes. This equates to $3.47 per day. In return, residents receive police and fire protection, street plowing and maintenance, park facilities, and many other services.

The assessment is payable over a number of years determined by the type of improvement. The interest rate will be the municipal bond rate at the time of the bond sale in the market plus two percent. For a mill and overlay, the assessment is payable over a five (5) year period. For full depth mill and overlay, the assessment is payable over a fifteen (15) year period.

A pending assessment is placed on your property once the project is ordered by the City Council. Assessments are then adopted by City Council after substantial completion of the project.

Smoke alarms should be cleaned once or twice per year. You can do this with the brush attachment to your vacuum cleaner or with canned air.

Note: The alarm may sound when you are cleaning it.

Smoke alarms should be checked monthly. For more information on smoke alarms, please go to the Smoke Alarm page.

Yes. Having a fire in ones home is a devastating thing, however, there are things that can be done ahead of time to make the process a little easier.

• Take a personnel inventory of all of your families belongings.
• Make more than one copy, keep one in a fireproof safe and one with at least one other family member or friend, outside your home.
• Try to keep receipts for some of the more expensive items.
• Talk with your insurance company to find out what other information they might in the event of a fire.

Smoke alarms have a normal life expectancy of 10 years. If you are getting false alarms from your detector, it may need to be replaced. When having problems with your alarm, always remember to check the battery. A 'chirping' sound typically means that the battery should be replaced.

Yes. Professional chimney sweeps advise that chimneys be cleaned when the creosote has built up to 1/8" to 1/4". This will help prevent chimney fires.

Remember: The fireplace or wood stove is not an incinerator. Do not burn trash or large amounts of paper, especially gift-wrap. The temperature can produce damage to your fireplace or chimney.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can be produced by improperly operating fuel-burning appliances (natural gas, LP gas, fuel oil, kerosene, wood). CO can be deadly! All fuel burning appliances, such as furnaces and water heaters, should be serviced yearly. Every dwelling unit should have a carbon monoxide detector. More information on Carbon Monoxide.

Address numbers are very important to emergency responder's. Having address numbers visible is not only required, but will help emergency personnel find your house. The numbers should be reflective or a color that contrasts with the house. They should be near a light to help make them visible. Don't place them on the garage door as the door may be raised when the numbers are needed. All numbers should be visible from the street.

Extension cords may only be used with portable appliances. They may not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.

Some stains are capable of creating enough heat to start a fire as they dry. This is commonly known as spontaneous combustion. Avoid storing the wet rag in a pile. The rags should be laid flat or hung to air dry. You can also store them in a metal container that has a tight fitting lid, then store the metal container outside away from any other combustibles. They can then be disposed of when completely dry.

Yes. The Fire Department responds to 2 to 4 house fires every year because a homeowner has cleaned their fireplace, wood stove, or fire pit and placed the ashes in a paper bag. Ashes can stay hot enough to start a fire for up to seven days.

Note: Place your ashes in a metal container and leave them outside until you know they are cold (at least seven days). If you dispose of the ashes in the trash, put them in the trash only after the seven days and then only when your can has been moved to the curb for pickup.

• You will be given a Check-out List
• All garbage needs to be gathered and taken out to the garbage shed structure on the north side of the facility. Renter does not need to do anything with outdoor patio trash.
• Clean tables and chairs and return to storage closet. 
• Sweep and mop floors as needed. Cleaning supplies are included and are on site. 
• Bathrooms should be wiped down and garbage removed.

The renter will receive a complete checkout list along with the key. 

If a traffic signal is out, contact Scott County Dispatch at 952-445-1411. If a street light is out, contact Savage Public Works at 952-224-3400.

Yes, with certain conditions. If you meet all the conditions, contact the Savage Police Department at 952-882-2600 for an application. The application will be reviewed and you will be contacted when your ride-along will occur.

Yes. Please obtain a Recreational Fire Permit before burning. Permits can be found online or at City Hall, 6000 McColl Drive.

Scott County Central Dispatch Non-emergency: 952-882-2600

Emergency: 911

Pay citation by phone, web or mail.

• Visit www.mncourts.gov
• Call 1-800-657-3611 or 651-281-3219 (metro)
• Mail and make checks payable to:

Minnesota Court Payment Center
P.O. Box 898
Willmar, MN 56201

Please allow 10 days from the date the citation was issued before making payment.

Emergencies Requiring Immediate Police Assistance Call 9-1-1

Only call 9-1-1 when immediate police assistance is required; such as for assaults, kidnapping, burglaries, domestic disputes, or auto accidents with injuries. When calling 9-1-1 be prepared to give an address, cross streets or notable landmarks. Answer all questions completely but as briefly as possible. Stay on the line until the operator terminates the call. If the situation changes before help arrives, call 9-1-1 again and update the operator.

Non-Emergencies

Call 952-445-1411 to report incidents that do not require immediate police assistance. This non-emergency line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to report issues such as a loose animal, theft from a motor vehicle, damage to property, violation of visitation rights, stolen checks, loud parties, solicitors without a license or past incidences of graffiti.

Remain Anonymous

Residents who wish to provide anonymous tips to law enforcement about past unsolved crime incidents may contact Crimes Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), online, or with the P3 Tips App. In addition to staying anonymous, persons giving tips may be eligible to collect up to $1,000 in reward.

The Savage Police Department will respond to vehicle lock-outs if it is an emergency situation. If a non-emergency situation, you need to contact a locksmith or full-service gas station.

The Savage Police Department does not have the facilities to do fingerprinting. Please contact the Scott County Jail at 952-496-8314.

Leave the area immediately. Do not use electric switches, telephones, cell phones, vehicles or use anything that will create a spark. Once safely away from the area, call CenterPoint Energy Emergency Gas Leak Hotline at 1-800-296-9815 and call 911 to report the location and description of the leak. Never try to repair a gas leak. Leave all repairs to a trained technician.

The Prior Lake License Bureau
14033 Commerce Ave. NE
Prior Lake, MN 55372

Direct: 952-447-8817

You do not need to call anyone. The sirens are sounding because of severe weather and you should immediately seek shelter.  Please be aware, the sirens are tested on the 1st Wednesday of every month at 1:00 p.m.

Occasionally your water system may experience hard water or calcium deposits in your sink basins, shower tiles, or on the faucets. These mineral deposits, although harmless, will build up over time leaving a hard scale substance. These deposits can be cleaned off with a mild scouring pad and vinegar, Lime Away, Simple Green, CLR or other products sold at local retail stores. Follow label directions for best results.

The City of Savage recommends flushing out the home plumbing twice per year, or when water is discolored or carries an unpleasant odor. Please use the following steps:

1. If the home has a water softener, bypass it temporarily.
2. Remove any filters on the end of your faucets, if possible.
3. Open all cold-water faucets and let run for 5 minutes.

Following the above steps will result in removal of loose sediment from your water system and ensures high quality, fresh water for your home or business.

Several things can increase your usage in a month. Here are some to keep in mind:

1. Some water softeners use between 200 - 400 gallons each time they are set to regenerate. A water softener should regenerate approximately every other week for a family of four. Warmer weather means more showers, baths, and outside water usage. Holidays - keep in mind extra guests means more water used!
2. Possible leaks - toilet, sink or outside faucet.

Water from the Savage Water Treatment plant is on the average 19 grains hard. Another way to express this is 317 parts per million of total hardness measured as CaCo3. This is moderately hard water.

Stormwater is water that comes from rain or melting snow. This runoff can flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as building rooftops, paved streets and parking lots, and does not soak into the ground. As the runoff flows, it can pick up various pollutants, including trash, chemicals, oils and dirt/sediment that can harm our streams and lakes. To help protect these waterbodies, state and federal rules and regulations have been established to help manage stormwater.

Ponds treat and manage a portion of the community's storm water. Primarily, this is the runoff from your yard and your neighbors' yards and the associated streets and sidewalks. One of the City’s requirements is the maintenance of a 17-foot buffer around the pond. This buffer is an area around the pond that contains native, low or no-maintenance vegetation that protects and improves the ability of the pond to treat stormwater. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to not impact the 17-foot buffer. This includes mowing or otherwise modifying the buffer vegetation. Also prohibited is the planting of new vegetation or placement of permanent or temporary fixtures. If you have a wetland on your property, the buffer could be greater than 17 feet.

Especially, but not only in the springtime, soil can still be partially frozen from the winter. This frozen soil does not allow surface water to take its natural path down into the groundwater. As the temperatures warm and the soils thaw, surface water will migrate downward to replenish needed water supplies and feed plants. Additional causes of wet yards include shady conditions, rain gutters and sumps discharging into low or flat areas, and filling or otherwise blocking the intended flow of surface water.

Ponds with limited flushing of water in and out of them can grow large amounts of algae and other water plants. Most of this plant growth dies off in the winter, but the growth is often accelerated in urban environments due to the excess fertilizers that are flushed into the ponds. The same fertilizer that makes your lawn green will also accelerate the plant growth in the ponds. If water can flow directly from your yard into the pond, the required pond buffer strip identified above can intercept most of these contaminants before they get to the pond.