The Boat and Water Division is commonly asked two questions:

The answer to both questions is yes.

Listed below are the Minnesota State Statutes for a Water Event Permit and Water Structure Permit.  To print off copies of the application form that is required to be filled out completely and returned to the Sheriff's Office in order to be issued a permit, please click on the following: Water Event Permit or Water Structure Permit. It should be noted that there is an administrative fee for each permit. Please see the bottom of the application forms for the fee amount to be turned in as well with the application form.

WATER EVENT PERMIT

Minnesota law requires all events, such as races, tournaments, or other competitions to obtain a permit from the Sheriff's Office in the county in which the event is being held.

86B.121 RACES, COMPETITIONS AND EXHIBITIONS.

(a) A person may not hold or sponsor any scheduled or public race, regatta, tournament or other competition or exhibition, or trial race on water or ice, whether or not involving watercraft, without first having obtained a written permit from the sheriff of the county where the event is to originate.

(b) The sheriff, in the permit, may exempt watercraft from any of the provisions of this chapter relating to the licensing, operation, and equipment of watercraft while participating in the event authorized.

(c) The county's issuance of a permit under this section does not make the county liable for any injury occurring at the event.

WATER STRUCTURE PERMIT

Minnesota law requires a permit from the sheriff of the county to leave a temporary structure in the water of this state between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

6110.1800 PLACEMENT OF TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND BUOYS IN THE WATERS OF THE STATE.

Subp. 1. In general. No person shall leave any temporary structure not extending from shore, or any buoy or sign in the waters of this state between the hours of sunset and sunrise without first obtaining a permit in writing therefore from the sheriff of the county. Mooring buoys must be placed as provided in part 6110.1500, subpart 4. Swimming area markers must be placed as provided in part 6110.1600.

Subp. 2. Permit for temporary structure or buoy. The sheriff of any county may issue a permit for the placement of any such structure or buoy whenever, in the sheriff's opinion, the structure or buoy will not constitute an undue hazard to or illegal obstruction of navigation.

Each structure or navigational buoy placed pursuant to such permit shall have the permit number painted on it and shall have attached either a light visible in all directions, or sufficient reflectorized material so as to reflect light from all directions, which material shall retain 80 percent of its dry weather reflective signal strength when submerged in water.

Nothing in this part shall be construed to affect the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.245, or the requirement for permits from the commissioner of natural resources thereunder, nor shall this part be construed to affect the construction of blinds built according to Minnesota Statutes, sections 97B.805 and 97B.811.

Please contact the Boat and Water Division with any questions or concerns.