Quick Guide to Permits – The following is a guide/summary of some common situations and the permits that an Avon Township resident may require.  More more information, check the Avon Township page on the Stearns County Environmental Services website.

1. Building (Construction Site) Permits – A Construction Site Permit (CSP) is required if you are constructing any new structure, adding on to an existing building by changing the building envelope in any way, increasing the square footage of a building structure, or making any structural changes to a building. A permit is not required for reroofing or re-siding or replacing windows, unless the building envelope, or other factors as stated above, will be changed.

   Stearns County Environmental Services (320.656.3613) handles the paperwork for the majority of CSP’s in Avon Township. When in doubt, contact Environmental Services and they will work through the process with you. You can also apply online (https://services.co.stearns.mn.us/csp/). If you DO NOT live near a lake, residents must also have the permit signed by the Clerk or other designated Township representative. This step is required to determine whether the resident will also require a driveway permit so that the proposed construction will not affect a Township Road.

   If you live in the Urban Expansion area (adjacent to the City of Avon), then the Township will handle the paperwork for the CSP. In this case, contact the Clerk (or other Town official). Once the request is received, it is forwarded to our Zoning Administrator who will issue the permit. The standard County CSP fees apply.

   If you have a question about the need for a CSP or obtaining a CSP, contact the Avon Township Clerk or Stearns County Environmental Services (320.656.3613).

2. Burning Permits – Contact the Fire Marshall or DNR.
3. Driveway Permits – the construction of any driveway that accesses a Township road requires a driveway permit. These are issued by the Township. To start the process, a resident normally appears before the Planning Commission to present the request. The Planning Commission then makes a recommendation to the Supervisors who take action.  Driveways must meet approved standards.
4. Certificate of Compliance – required for plats and some other transactions. These are obtained through the Township.  The process is similar to that described for a driveway permit.  Stearns County Environmental Services typically alerts a resident if a Certificate of Compliance is required.
5. Variances – A variance is a temporary reprieve from a Township, County, or other rule. For example, constructing a building closer to a road than is currently allowed by law. The process is similar to that for driveway permits. The resident appears before the Planning Commission to present the request. The Planning Commission then makes a recommendation to the Supervisors whether or not to set a public hearing. The Supervisors then decide whether to schedule a public hearing. If approved, a public hearing is held at the next Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission then makes a recommendation to the Supervisors concerning the request.  The Supervisors make the final decision. Since this approval process normally takes more than a month, residents should plan ahead. Expedited public hearings can be requested, but the resident will incur an additional fee.
6. Conditional Use Permit (CUP) – The process is the same as variances. Stearns County Environmental Services typically alerts a resident if a CUP is required.
7. Interim Use Permit (IUP) – The process is the same as for variances. Stearns County typically alerts a resident if an IUP is required.
8. Zoning Changes – all zoning changes in Avon Township are handled by Stearns County Environmental Services.