Resident Information

Building
If you intend to build, remodel or alter any building or structure, or make certain property improvements, a building permit may be necessary. Permits and inspections are required for electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning installation. All work must be done in accordance with Minnesota State Building Codes. For more information contact the Building Dept. at 763-421-2629.

Burning Permit
Contact the Anoka-Champlin Fire Department at 763-576-2860.

Cable Television
To keep residents informed of City government issues, City meetings are shown live on Cable Channel 16. The Park and Recreation Commission meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., the City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and the Planning Commission meets the third Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Cable Channel 16 is the local government access channel for Champlin. Information such as City Council agendas, various Commission agendas and dates of special events will be featured on Channel 16.

Cable Channel 15 provides information regarding community events in the cities of Anoka, Andover, Champlin and Ramsey.

Cable television is available to all residents from COMCAST. For information on connecting to cable television, call 651-222-3333. Universal Cable Service is available free to all residents. Contact COMCAST for more information. If you have problems with the cable television company, contact Terry O'Connell, Quad Cities Cable Administrator at 763-427-1411.

Contractors
A list of licensed plumbers, heating contractors, etc. is available at the City Offices. Call the Building Department at 763-421-2629.

Door-to-Door Sales/Transient Merchant
License Requirements:

• If you have merchandise with you for sale, you need a peddler's license. This requires a fee and City Council approval.
• If you are taking orders for future delivery of good of for the future performance of a service, then you need to register as a solicitor. There is no fee to register and your registration is completed the same day.
• If you will be setting up a place of business on a temporary basis, then you need a transient merchant license. This requires a fee and City Council approval.
• There are certain exemptions for nonprofit organizations, garage sales, auctions, vendors of perishable commodities and others.

Complaints:

• To prevent sales persons, you may place a "peddlers and solicitors prohibited" sign (in letters at least one-half inch high) on or near the entrance of your home.
• If you have an issue with a harassing sales person or a sales person solicits in violating of a "peddlers and solicitors prohibited" sign, you are asked to call the police department (dial 911) immediately after the person leaves, so that they can respond before the solicitor/peddler moves out of the area.
• All registered/licensed solicitors/peddlers must wear an identification badge issued by the City, there are certain exemptions from the registration/licensing process for non-profit and certain limited types of sales
• Please note that the City does not have the legal right to refuse a registration, including for reasons of a criminal history. Registration does not imply a recommendation by the City of Champlin. Registrations are used to track sales persons operating within our community.
  

Energy Assistance
The Energy Assistance Program is administered and applications for assistance are taken through the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. Appointments for applications must be made in advance. Residents of Champlin may call 952-930-3541 for an appointment.

Garage Sales & Signs
Champlin residents can enjoy hosting garage sales at any time of the year! Please remember that signs announcing your garage sale can be placed along streets and roadways, but they need to be set back far enough so as not to block intersections or visibility. If you want to locate a garage sale sign on property other than your own, you must receive permission from the property owner. Finally, all garage sale signs must be removed by the morning immediately following the garage sale. Never place garage sale signs on utility poles.

Homestead Reminder
If you are a new property owner in Champlin, bring a copy of your deed and Certificate of Real Estate Value into the City Offices and complete a "New Owner Application". Also, if there has been a change in ownership due to the death of one of the owners or a divorce, the Assessor's Office should be notified.

If you own other property in which a relative is living, that property may qualify for a homestead classification. The property must be the principal residence of the following: the owner's child, step-child, parent, parent-in-law, step-parent, grandchild, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, brother, brother-in- law, sister, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, or spouse (if separated or divorced). Contact Hennepin County at 612-348-3011 for complete qualifications.

Minnesota Statutes require that new owners apply for Homestead the first year that they occupy their new homes. Homestead will automatically continue as long as they occupy the property. Homestead cards will be mailed following application and must be signed by all property owners occupying the Homestead. False declaration of homestead is a violation of Sec. 609.41 Minnesota Statute, and violators are subject to imprisonment of not more than one year and/or a $3,000 fine.

House Numbers
City Ordinance requires that house numbers be highly visible from the street. In the event of an emergency, this will help police, ambulance and fire vehicles to locate your home quickly.

Hydrant Flushing
The Utility Department will flush all water hydrants in April and October. Please try to avoid doing laundry during working hours those days since the rusty water could be drawn into your house and ruin your clothes. Residents will receive notice on their monthly utility bill. This notice is also placed in the Champlin/Dayton Press, the Champlin Chronicle and on Cable TV channel 16. It is the responsibility of the owner or manager of apartment and town homes and rental property to notify their residents of hydrant flushing.

Low-Income Homeowners
If you own your home, you may be eligible for the low-income sewer and refuse collection rate reduction program offered to qualifying residents by the City of Champlin. For further details, please call the Utility Billing Dept. at 763-421-8100.

Low-Moderate income homeowners may also be eligible for the City's attractive home improvement loan program. For more information, contact the Community Development Dept. at 763-923-7196 or email jcox@ci.champlin.mn.us.

North Hennepin Mediation Project
North Hennepin Mediation Project was founded in 1983. The project brings people together to resolve neighborhood, family, business and other disputes in a constructive and positive manner. Mediation is a voluntary process which brings disputing parties together in a neutral setting with one or more mediators. The meeting is an informal discussion in which both parties are given equal time to describe the dispute. The goal of mediation is to try to reach a settlement agreement that both parties believe is fair and workable. Approximately ninety percent of mediations result in an agreement. For more information call 763-561-0033.

Official Newspaper for City Notices
The Champlin-Dayton Press is the official newspaper for the City of Champlin. All public notices, hearings, ordinances, agendas and other general information are published weekly to keep residents informed. Also, all public notices are posted on this website, under the link for Information/Legal Notices.

Park 'N Ride Sites
Located at:

1. Servant of Christ Lutheran Church, 740 E. Hayden Lake Rd.
2. Dayton Rd. and Highway 169 
3. 117th Avenue and W. River Rd.

Public Transportation
Metropolitan Council Transit Operations.
Call 612-373-3333 for bus route and schedule information.

Renters
If you are paying more than 30 percent of your income for rent, you may be eligible to receive rent assistance. This program provides rent subsidy payments for low and moderate income families that live in existing, privately owned, rental units. The rent subsidy is paid directly to the owner of the property by the Housing and Development Authority. Metro HRA, which assists the City of Champlin, is not taking Section 8 applications, for information on other potential waiting lists check www.housinglink.org

Rideshare
Provides carpooling and /or vanpooling to and from work. Minnesota Rideshare cross-matches information with other people who have similar departure destinations and work schedules. For information call 612- 349-RIDE.

Riverbank Improvements
People living on the Mississippi River must have City approval for any land alteration or construction. For further information call 763-421-8100.

Rusty Water Problems
If you experience problems with rusty water, turn off all water faucets for at least 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, go to the lowest level of your home and run the cold water full force for 3-5 minutes. When water runs clean, turn on other faucets and run until water is clear. If the hot water is rusty, you may need to drain some of the water from your hot water tank. If your water is still rusty after trying these methods, contact the Utility Department at 763-421-0154.

Sewer Back Up
If you experience a sewer back-up in your basement, please contact the Utility Dept. first during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 763-421-0154. After business hours contact the Hennepin County Dispatch at 763-525-6220.

Sewer Line Cleaning
Residents who have their sewer lines cleaned from the house to the street should notify the Utility Department at 763-421-0154 so that they are aware the cleaning is being done. This could avoid problems with roots, etc., clogging the main line which could cause a sewer backup.

Snow Removal Policies & Procedures
The Parks and Public Works Department follows adopted policies and procedures which outline snow removal and ice control operations. The City is divided into six zones, and approximate start time for snow removal operations is 3:00 a.m., or depending on snow conditions at a time deemed necessary to ensure that "primary" arterial streets are passable by morning rush hours.

Minnesota Statutes 160.42 and 169.42 prohibit depositing snow onto public roadways. Placing snow onto a public roadway can subject a person to civil liability.

Property owners and/or occupants of any property adjacent to a public sidewalk are required to keep it free from ice and snow within 48 hours after the precipitation has ceased to fall. Residents are also encouraged to clear fire hydrants on or near their property.

Snow Safety
Instruct children about snow safety:

• Snow forts should not be built at the end of driveways. Plows could inadvertently knock them down with a child inside.
• Discourage children from playing on the high snow piles, or from sliding out into any street or roadway.
• Instruct children waiting for school buses to stay back out of the flow of traffic and out of the way of maintenance equipment. Playing on snow banks along streets is extremely dangerous.
• Snowballs thrown at passing vehicles may cause an accident resulting in personal injury and property damage.

Snowmobile Rules and Regulations

• No person shall operate a snowmobile within the corporate limits of the City of Champlin, except upon the Snowmobile Trail System or on private property if in possession of written permission.
• Trail access points are determined by the Police Department.
• Operators must carry a Department of Natural Resources snowmobile registration card.
• Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., Sunday through Saturday.
• Snowmobiles must conform to all applicable State safety regulations.
• No person under 14 years of age shall operate on right of way or highway or make a direct crossing of a street or highway as the operator of the snowmobile. A person 14 years of age or older, but less than 18 years of age, may operate a snowmobile on streets or highways as permitted under the Snowmobile Ordinance and make direct crossing thereof only if he has in his immediate possession a valid snowmobile safety certificate issued by the Commissioner of Natural Resources as provided by Minnesota Statutes, Section 84.86 as amended.
• Fines and violation are up to $700 or 90 days imprisonment or both.
• This represents only a synopsis of the Snowmobile Ordinance. Contact the Police Department at 763-421-2971 for precise information regarding the ordinance.

Sprinkling Ban

Important Sprinkling Information - 2009

Please Read Carefully

The mandatory odd/even-sprinkling ban becomes effective May 1st and continues through Labor Day each year.The City's policy is to restrict the use of lawn sprinklers, through the use of an odd/even system. The ordinance prohibits watering of lawns, trees, or shrubs between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

ODD-EVEN CALENDAR SPRINKLING

• Odd numbered addresses may water on Odd calendar days only.
• Even numbered addresses may water on Even calendar days only.
• The day Begins at midnight and ends at midnight.
• You cannot sprinkle between 10AM and 7PM.
• FOR EXAMPLE:
• You live at 123 Champlin Lane: You may sprinkle on May 17th, beginning at midnight and up until 10AM. If you prefer to water in the evening, you may also sprinkle on May 17th, beginning at 7PM and up until midnight.
• Please, follow the Sprinkling Restrictions. First violation of the ordinance will result in a written warning. The second and each subsequent violation of the ordinance will result in an excess usage fee of $75 per day.
• Customers observed watering outside of the restrictions will be notified in person (if present) and will receive violations by mail.
• You may hand-water ANYTIME!
• New sod and seed is exempt for four weeks only.
• Children can run in the sprinkler anytime, but please do not leave the sprinkler running. Abuse of this privilege may result in additional restrictions. We do not want a sprinkling ban any more than you do.
• Owners of private irrigation wells must register with the City on an annual basis. Please contact The Champlin Utilities Department @ 763.421.0154 to schedule an appointment to inspect your irrigation well.

Please take an active role in conserving our water resources. High-demand periods are hard on our production equipment as well as our water resources. If Champlin residents do there part and follow the odd/even sprinkling ban, the City's water production facilities will be better able to provide water without further watering restrictions.

Watering Tips to Save You Time and Money

• Keep the grass longer; it will hold water better and dry out slower.
• Automatic Sprinklers should have a moisture sensor
• Don’t water the sidewalks, driveway, or house
• Water ONLY when the grass shows signs of stress.
• Watering a little heavier and less frequently will allow roots to grow deeper, and more stable, they will be less susceptible to dryer conditions.
• If you do not have an automatic sprinkler, you can purchase a hose timer for very little money at the local hardware store. But…PLEASE don’t sprinkle in the rain.
• If you can, always water during the night hours; there is less wind, less evaporation, better saturation to grow deeper roots.

Stake Curbs for Snowplowing
When the streets are covered with snow, it is almost impossible for the snowplow operator to determine the edge of the road, especially curbs. Residents are asked to stake the edge of the curb. Wood lath is available at the Parks and Public Works Department for staking. Do not use metal stakes.

Utility Payment Drop Centers
Payments dropped off at the Payment Centers do not require a postage stamp. Just enclose your check with the payment stub and place in the drop box nearest you. Please do not use paper clips, staples or tape to attach stub to check. Payment Centers are located at:

Oasis Market - located at the corner of Winnetka and 117th Avenue

Bill's Superette - 109th Avenue and West River Road

City Hall - Sidewalk Island

Cub Foods - 8600-114th Avenue N.

Holiday - 6210 109th Avenue N.

Yard Waste Disposal Information
Champlin residents can dispose of yard waste free of charge. You must transport your material.

WHERE
Maple Grove Drop-off site - 14797 101st Avenue N.
101st Avenue at Fernbrook Lane (County Rd. 121).

WHEN
April 1 through November 30 (weather permitting):
Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

WHAT
Leaves, grass clippings, garden waste and branches up to 10 inches in diameter. Residents will be required to debag the yard waste at the site. You will be required to show your driver's license as proof of residency.

Collection by Refuse Hauler

Residents who do not have a method of transporting yard waste to the Maple Grove Yard waste site may purchase stickers for yard waste at City Hall. The cost is $1.50 per bag; payable to the City of Champlin. The yard waste must be bagged and placed at curbside on your collection day. The weight of the bags cannot exceed 60 lbs. each. Your hauler will pick up the bags on your regular collection day. Each bag must have asticker on it.