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Anoka County adopts updated right-of-way ordinance after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and an overview from the county engineer, the Anoka County Board unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-2, updating right-of-way permitting, restoration and enforcement standards.
The Anoka County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Anoka County Right of Way Ordinance 2025-2 on Feb. 25 following a public hearing and a department presentation. The board’s vote approved updated permitting, restoration, enforcement and contractor registration provisions for work in county right-of-way.
The ordinance replaces language last updated 25 years ago, modernizes construction and liability provisions, aligns enforcement with other metro counties, and clarifies county project coordination requirements when public improvement projects require utility relocation. Jerry Oje, assistant county engineer in Anoka County’s transportation department, summarized the changes and said the county held a meeting with about 60 utility contractors and subcontractors to solicit feedback before the hearing.
County Attorney Johnson opened the public hearing and noted the notice of public hearing was published in the Anoka County Union on Feb. 7, 2025. Oje said the transportation department posted the draft ordinance on the county website, held the utility meeting and received no written comments in advance. During the public hearing no members of the public provided live comments.
Commissioner Schulte noted a typographical correction in section 1.07, subdivision 1 (a bracket that should be a parenthesis) and moved approval; Commissioner Reinert seconded. After limited discussion the board voted by roll call with all present commissioners voting yes.
The ordinance updates definitions, a table of contents, permit and restoration standards, penalties and enforcement language, contractor registration requirements and project coordination rules that require some utilities to relocate for county public improvement projects. The county said it will maintain an annual utility meeting going forward as part of implementation.
The ordinance was adopted by unanimous vote and becomes effective as provided in the ordinance text. The county attorney and transportation staff will manage the ordinance’s implementation and publish the corrected final text on the county website.
