Home Improvement
Win a Landscaping Award!
Nominations due August 1st of each year. Evergreen Award Nomination Form
Homes, apartment buildings and businesses located in St. Louis Park with exceptional plantings of flowers, shrubs and trees that are highly visible are eligible for the Evergreen Award. A certificate of recognition, publicity on the city's website and a green plant are presented to winners by the City Council each autumn.
For more information, contact Environmental Coordinator Jim Vaughan at (952) 924-2699 or jvaughan@stlouispark.org
Click on the links below to view award winner presentations:
print article
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
They use about 2/3 less energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light, and last up to 10 times longer. Please recycle them as hazardous waste. For proper disposal, all St. Louis Park residents may call Hennepin County at: (612) 348-3777 or go to Hennepin County.
Click here for more information on compact fluorescent light bulbs.
print article
Fund Condo/Townhome Improvements
Townhome and condominium associations that need help financing needed improvements to common areas, can petition the City of St. Louis Park to create a Housing Improvement Area. The petition must prove that the association is unable to obtain a loan through conventional sources. The action enables the city to provide a low interest loan that is repaid over a 10-to-15-year period via fees paid by the homeowners.
For assistance, contact Kathy Larsen, Housing Programs Coordinator at
- (952) 924-2196
- klarsen@stlouispark.org.
print article
Constructing a Shed
Before you construct a shed, you must obtain a permit from the City of St. Louis Park. To apply, come to the second floor customer service counter in City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard.
Here’s what you will need:
- A survey or site plan showing the proposed location of your shed. The site plan can be drawn by the home owner, and needs to include the location of all proposed buildings, streets, alleys and the distance from all buildings and property lines to the proposed shed.
- Plans that show the design of your shed
- $25 for the permit
- Click for shed application here
print article
Dumpsters
If you're planning a large scale remodeling project, you may need to arrange for a dumpster. City ordinance prohibits the placement of dumpsters on streets, alleys, sidewalks and public right-of-way (the part of your front yard that's adjacent to the curb).
Dumpsters must be placed entirely on private property (your lawn or driveway-about five feet away from the curb).
For a list of licensed haulers, call the Inspections Department at (952) 924-2588.
print article
Energy
Do you know there are many different ways St. Louis Park residents may save on energy bills?
Click on the links below to learn more.
- Energy Challenge
- Energy Efficiency MN Dept of Commerce
- Green Power
- Living Green Expo
- Saver's Switch Program
print article
Energy Saver Rebate Now Available
Minnesota Federal Stimulus rebates of up to $10,000 are available to St. Louis Park homeowners in the form of an Energy Saver Rebate. First Come First Serve!
Energy Saver Rebate
- 35% rebate on all qualifying energy improvements
- Maximum rebate is $10,000
- Improvements include windows, doors, insulation, water heaters, heating and cooling (improvements must meet certain minimum criteria)
- Must take out a Fix-Up Fund loan to access rebate
- Maximum Loan: $35,000
- 3% - 5% interest rate
- Maximum Income: $96,500
More information on the “Energy Saver Rebate” , the fix-up fund loan and other home improvement loans can be found at www.mncee.org or call 612-335-5884.
print article
Fences
Before you put up your fence, you must obtain a permit from the City of St. Louis Park. Fence permits can usually be issued on the same day you apply. To apply, come to the second floor customer service counter in City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard. Here's what you will need
- A survey or site plan showing the location of your proposed fence
- Plans that show the design of your fence
- $15 for the permit.
Fences must be built in compliance with City ordinance. Here's an overview of the ordinance
- Fences must be located entirely inside your property line. A fence cannot be located on the property line, a neighbor's land, or public property (boulevards, sidewalk area, etc.). You can find your property line by locating your lot's corner irons or hiring a registered land surveyor.
- On interior lots, front yard or street side fences cannot be more than 42 inches high. Side or rear yard fences on interior lots cannot be more than six feet high.
- Corner lots have a lower allowable fence height because a high fence obstructs traffic visibility. Fences in the traffic "visibility triangle" cannot be higher than 30 inches. Owners of corner lots should contact the Assistant Zoning Administrator for help in determining where their lot's "visibility triangle" is located. (To see a map of the "visibility triangle," click here.)
Through lots - a lot that abuts two opposite, parallel streets - also have lower allowable fence height. Because a through lot abuts two streets, both yards are considered "front" yards so fence height must be lower to avoid obstructing traffic visibility. A fence in one of the "front" yards may be six feet high as long as it complies with the visibility triangle requirements, is used as a "back "yard, and doesn't abut a neighbor's yard that they use as a "front" yard. Owners of through lots should contact the Assistant Zoning Administrator for help in determining allowable fence height.
In some special locations, a fence can be higher than six feet as long as the owner obtains a building permit. These are lots next to state highways, railroads, industrial property, schools, churches or synagogues.
Fences surrounding a swimming pool must keep children from entering the pool enclosure. Pool fences and gates must be at least four feet high, have no openings greater than four inches either through or under the fence or gate. Pool fences cannot have handholds or footholds, and the gates must be self-closing and self-catching.
The structural side of the fence must face your property. The finished side of the fence must face your neighbors' property. Fences must be constructed of durable materials such as wood or chain link (points turned down). Woven wire, chicken wire, plastic and electric fences are not allowed as property line fences.
Fence owners are responsible for
- Maintaining both sides of the fence
- Trimming the grass
- Painting or staining wood
- Replacing broken boards or torn chain link
- Making sure there are no safety hazards such as protruding nails or sharp objects.
If you have any questions, call the Assistant Zoning Administrator at (952) 924-2592 or visit the customer service counter on the second floor of City Hall between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
print article
Garages
Garage construction is governed by the city's zoning ordinance to ensure that garages are appropriate for the neighborhood. Failure to comply with requirements governing setbacks, height and width can result in friction between neighbors, lawsuits and even an order requiring that the garage be removed or rebuilt.
The city’s zoning ordinance also governs the use of garages. Garages may not have kitchens or bathrooms and they cannot be used as living quarters or for home offices.
If you’re planning to expand or build a detached garage, you must
- Locate your property line to ensure that the garage’s location complies with all zoning requirements.
- Obtain a residential accessory building permit to ensure that construction meets State building code standards. The permit review will also ensure that your plan complies with the city's height, width, square footage and setback restrictions.
- Permits can be obtained by coming to the Inspections Department in City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.
You will need the following information when you apply for the permit
- Two copies of a lot survey showing all easements, lot size dimensions, and distances to property lines for the existing home and the proposed garage.
- Two complete sets of building plans that show a scaled view of the proposed garage and drawings that show elevations, wall cross section and roof pitch.
For more information about building or remodeling a garage, call (952) 924-2592 or e-mail gmorrison@stlouispark.org. Or visit the second floor service counter in City Hall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., weekdays. Click here for information on locating lot lines.
print article
Greening Your Home
Get the whole family involved in achieving a greener home, making St. Louis Park a greener place to live!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Turn off lights when no one is in the room.
- Close heat vents in areas of your home that are not being used - bedrooms by day, office at night, etc.
- Install a programmable thermostat and set it to lower temperatures at night and when no one is home during the day. Each degree lower can decrease a heating bill by 1%.
- Unplug coffee makers, toasters, food processors, etc. when not in use.
- Use power strips to turn off groups of appliances when not in use. Group together the DVD player, VCR, stereo and gaming units and power them down when no one is around.
- Set humidifiers and dehumidifiers to turn on only when the humidity level warrants.
- Don't overuse exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens or basements as they can suck out a roomful of warm air very quickly requiring your furnace to work harder.
Click here for more ideas.
Locally, the Center for Energy and the Environment has low cost loans to help make energy efficient improvements.
Click here for more information on their programs.
print article
Irrigation System Permits
Either a licensed plumber or the homeowner/occupant may do the installation. Once installation is complete, either the contractor or the homeowner should call for an inspection to make sure the municipal water tie-in and backflow preventers were properly installed. Permits are required if you're connecting an underground lawn irrigation system to your building's water supply. Plumbing permits are needed for the piping connection because improper installation can allow water contaminated by fertilizer or pesticide to flow back into your home or our municipal drinking water supply. For more information, contact the Inspections Department at (952) 924-2588 or permits@stlouispark.org.
print article
Get tree and landscaping advice
The City Forester is available to answer your questions about tree care, tree diseases or drainage problems related to landscaping. The forester can also advise you on tree species that are suitable for business sites. Click here for a list of tree trimmers licensed to work in St. Louis Park..
For free tree and landscaping advice, contact City Forester Jim Vaughan at:
- (952) 924-2565
- jvaughan@stlouispark.org.
print article
Locate buried utilities
IT'S THE LAW, before you begin digging for repair work, construction or landscaping, call Gopher State One Call. They will contact utilities to mark the location of buried electricity, gas and utility lines in your property.
- (651) 454-0002
print article
Property Lot lines
Before you build any structure or install landscaping, you must verify the location of your property lines. Here are several ways to determine your lot lines
- Locate your lot's corner irons. Often, you can use a metal detector to find your property's corner irons. Usually, these are 18 inch metal pipes that were buried in each of the four corners of your yard when the parcel of land was subdivided. The invisible line connecting the four property irons forms your property line.
- Come to City Hall to see if there is a lot survey on your property on file. (City Hall is located at 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard; come to the second floor service counter.)
- Hire a registered land surveyor. Land surveyors are listed in the yellow pages under the "Surveyors - Land"
And, don't forget, the first five feet of land from the curb into your property is not private property. This strip is public right-of-way and is reserved for public uses such as sidewalks, boulevard trees and storing plowed snow. Adjacent property owners may not install fences or make any permanent changes to boulevards. Landscaping on public property would have to be removed if it infringes on a public use (i.e., a new sidewalk will be installed).
Property owners are, however, responsible for shoveling adjacent public sidewalks and mowing the strip of grass along the boulevard.
For more information about boulevards, call (952) 924-2555. For more information about lot lines, call (952) 924-2575.
print article
Remodeling & Architectural Advice
Remodeling Advisor: To promote high quality home remodeling, the City of St. Louis Park partners with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to make the services of a remodeling advisor available to St. Louis Park homeowners. CEE is an independent, nonprofit organization that works to promote public interest through the responsible and efficient use of natural and economic resources.
Bob Mello is an experienced remodeling advisor from CEE that will come to any St. Louis Park home to discuss your remodeling ideas at no charge. He can answer questions about renovating existing space or building an addition and contractor bids. To schedule your appointment call the Center for Energy and Environment at (612)335-5856.
The city, in partnership with the American Institute of Architects Minnesota, will cover the most of the cost of a two hour consultation (a $250 value) with an architect. Homeowners pay only $25 and may choose to meet with one of the 12 participating architects. Click here for a list of approved residential remodeling architects.
After you've narrowed your search to one, two or three firms, consider contacting them by e-mail to set up a 20 minute phone conversation to get your questions answered and help you make your final selection. Once you’ve chosen an architect, the firm will schedule a time for your in-home consultation. The consultation will give you a chance to discuss options and ideas for your project, and the process of working with an architect.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Minnesota is the professional organization of architects in Minnesota. AIA architects are licensed and required to take continuing education courses to keep current with laws, codes and new materials. For more information abut working with an architect, click on the links below. You may also wish to visit www.aia-mn.org for additional information.
Architectural Design Assistance: Recognizing that many residents may want to build an addition to meet the needs of growing families, the City of St. Louis Park is underwriting much of the cost of a consultation with an architect. A consultation with an architect can help ensure that your new addition fits seamlessly with the style of your existing home and is compatible with your neighborhood.
print article
Remodeling Advisor
Remodeling Advisor: To promote high quality home remodeling, the City of St. Louis Park partners with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to make the services of a remodeling advisor available to St. Louis Park homeowners. CEE is an independent, nonprofit organization that works to promote public interest through the responsible and efficient use of natural and economic resources.
Bob Mello is an experienced remodeling advisor from CEE that will come to any St. Louis Park home to discuss your remodeling ideas at no charge. He can answer questions about renovating existing space or building an addition and contractor bids. To schedule your appointment call the Center for Energy and Environment at (612)335-5856.
print article
Remodeling lien waivers
If you've hired a general contractor to expand or remodel your home, be sure to ask for a lien waiver(s) from the contractor and any major subcontractors before you make your final payment. The contractor should also be able to provide waivers from major suppliers of materials delivered to the construction site. (i.e. lumber yard).
A lien waiver will protect you in case your contractor fails to pay a subcontractor. Without a lien waiver, any builder, material supplier or subcontractor who wasn't paid by the contractor, can place a lien on your property. A property lien makes you - not the contractor - responsible for their payment: even if you already paid for the main contractor for the work.
For more information, contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce - the agency responsible for issuing licenses to residential contractors in Minnesota.
print article
Remodeling Loans
A number of low interest loans are available for home remodeling and rehabilitation thanks to the City of St. Louis Park's partnership with state agencies and local lenders. For more information about any of the programs listed here, call the Community Development office at (952) 924-2196 or e-mail klarsen@stlouispark.org.
Community Fix-up Fund Loans
These loans can be used for roof replacement, new windows, kitchen or bath| remodeling, garages and many other home fix-up projects. For more information, contact CEE Financial Resources at (612)335-5891 ( www.mncee.org/programs_residential) or e-mail byaritz@mncee.org
- Loans up to $35,000
- 5 percent interest
- Household income cannot exceed $93,100
- 4 percent interest
- Household income cannot exceed $63,000
Home Energy Loans
These loans are for home improvements that increase energy efficiency (adding insulation, replacing windows or furnaces, etc.) For more information contact CEE Financial Resources at (612) 335-5891 (http://www.mncee.org/programs_residential/index.php) or e-mail byaritz@mncee.org
- Loans up to $10,000
- 6.875 percent interest
- No income limit
- Maximum 5 year repayment term
Emergency Repair Grant
These grants pay for emergency repairs (furnace replacement, roof repair, etc.) This grant program is administered for the City of St. Louis Park by Community Action for Suburban Hennepin (CASH). Call (952) 933-9639, extension 210, for more information.
- Grants up to $4,000
- 0 percent interest/no repayment required
- Grants are for low income households; eligibility is determined by family size and household income. Household income is approximately $28,500 annually.
St. Louis Park Deferred Loans
These loans are available to help low-income families bring their homes into compliance with minimum housing standards. An additional $5,000 is available to correct hazardous situations (lead or asbestos) or make accessibility improvements for physically disabled residents. Repayment is not required if the homeowner remains in the home for 15 years; otherwise, repayment is due when the home is sold. This loan program is administered by Hennepin County; call (952) 924-2196 for more information.
- Loans of up to $20,000
- 0 percent interest
- Loans are for low income families; eligibility is determined by family size and household income. Example: Annual income for a household of two is $30,800 or less.
- Applicants' assets may not exceed $25,000.
print article
Remodeling or New Construction
To help ensure that St. Louis Park's buildings are safe and durable, permits are required for
- All new construction or additions
- Any remodeling that changes a building's structure, plumbing, mechanical or electrical systems
- Disturbing more than 5,000 sq. ft. or moving more than 50 cubic yards of soil on or off a construction site
- Any construction near a wetland.
No permit is needed for painting, wallpapering, adding insulation, replacing gutters or window sashes, or installing ceramic tile, carpeting or floor coverings.
The cost of a permit is based on the type and amount of work to be done. After the work is completed, City inspectors check the work to verify that it meets state and local construction codes. Any work that does not meet code must be redone. Most contractors must be licensed by the state or city before receiving a permit.
For more information on required construction permits
- Click on Permits or
- Call the Inspections Department at (952) 924-2588.
For more information on erosion control permits
- Visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater/index.html or
- Call Laura Adler, Public Works Department, at 952/924-2690.
print article
Take a Guided Tour of the Eco-Yard Midtown
Hennepin County is hosting free tours of the Eco-Yard Midtown demonstration site where St. Louis Park residents can learn year-round about environmentally friendly, sustainable landscaping from a landscape restoration specialist. Click here for more information or register in advance by calling Hennepin County Environmental Services at (612) 348-3777.
print article
Townhome & Condo Association Loans
Townhome and condominium associations that need help financing needed improvements to common areas, can petition the City of St. Louis Park to create a Housing Improvement Area. The petition must prove that the association is unable to obtain a loan through conventional sources. The action enables the city to provide a low interest loan that is repaid over a 10-to-15-year period via fees paid by the homeowners.
For assistance, contact Kathy Larsen, Housing Programs Coordinator at
- (952) 924-2196
- klarsen@stlouispark.org.
print article
2010 SLP Tree Sale
The tree canopy of St. Louis Park's private properties is dwindling. For every new tree residents plant, five more trees are lost to storms, pests, and disease. The presence in Minnesota of emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that has the potential to wipe out all our ash trees, makes it even more critical to start planting tomorrow's trees today.
In 2010 the City of St. Louis Park has teamed up with Tree Trust to make it affordable for you to reforest your own yard. Please do your part to restore the city's tree canopy by planting one of these trees this spring.
More Information
Tree Sale Brochure 
Tree Trust Website
print article
Related Links
- Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series
- University of Minnesota Extension Service
- Composting tips, health yards
- Arbor Day Foundation
- Phosphorous
