e-Permitting - Cook County, Minnesota

Use this form to start your Cook County Auditor Treasurer Cannabis Registration

Use this form to pay your State Mandated Lodging Tax

Per MN statute 469.190 all short-term rentals (any rental of less than 30 consecutive days) are required to pay lodging tax in Cook County. The frequency of this payment is based on the state Sales and Use tax liability table either monthly, quarterly, or annually.

Lodging Tax Fee - 4% or 1% of gross rentals income based on the location of the property being rented.

VRBO and Airbnb do NOT remit lodging tax to Cook County

The Permit Fee is $25.00 for a Replacement Address Sign

Use this form to submit an entrance application for access onto county roads ONLY. This application is not for access onto Forest Service, DNR or private roads.

If you do not have a physical address number, please submit a Physical Address Application through Emergency Management's ePermitting portal. A grade & fill permit may be required as well.

The permit fee is $50.00 plus a $250.00 deposit. Deposit will be refunded if entrance is complete/approved within one year.

Lead time is one week.

Use this form to submit a moving permit for county roads.

NOTICE: The MN Department of Transportation removed the 13� 6� overpass at Taconite Harbor in 2017. If your MN DOT permit still lists that as a re-route, please call MN DOT at 651-296-6000 to have your permit corrected.

The base fee for a moving permit is $50.00, with additional fees for vehicles over 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW).

Use this application for events on/crossing county roads.

The permit fee is $100.00.

Use this form to submit a utility permit application for work on county roads. Please note that a United States Forest Service, National Park Service or Grand Portage Reservation utility permit may also be required for work on federal lands.

The permit fee is $100.00.

Use this form to submit a Appeal of Administrative Decision Application

Appeal of Administrative Decision Application Fee $400.00

Use this form to submit a Large Site Stormwater Permit

The Permit Fee is $400.00

Petition for Rezoning Application

The Permit Fee is $600.00

Use this form to apply for a Cook County Vacation Rental License

The Permit Fee is $600.00

The renewal period for existing Vacation Rental licenses is December 1st 2025 to January 31st 2026. All existing license holders will be notified mid-November that the renewal period will be starting December 1st.

(Click the "Renew Existing" button if you had a Vacation Rental License in 2025) Please do NOT start a new application.

The administrative subdivision process allows the subdivision of up to four parcels in accordance with the Cook County Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances.

The Permit Fee is $ 500.00

An annual renewal application is required for all existing commercial off-premise signs located along the Highway 61 corridor. Each permit is valid for the full calendar year, running from January 1st through December 31st.

The Permit Fee is $200.00

Use this form to submit a Septic Administrative Variance Application For Closer Setback Measurements

The Permit Fee is $150.00

Use this form to submit a Septic Administrative Variance Application For Subdivision Septic Sites

The Permit Fee is $150.00

Use this form to submit a Conditional Use / Interim Use Application

Conditional Use / Interim Use Application Fee $400.00
Additional After the Fact Fee: $500.00

Use this form to consult with Cook County Land services staff members regarding upcoming projects or property purchases.

Use this form to submit a Grade and Fill or Small Site Stormwater Permit

The Permit Fee is $200.00

This application is necessary for the construction of structures that meet either of the following criteria:
*Any structure with a footprint greater than 160 square feet
*Any habitable structure, regardless of its size.

Land Use Permit Fees:
0 to 600 sq. ft. $200.00
601 to 1,000 sq. ft. $250.00
1,001 to 3,000 sq. ft. $300.00
3,001 to 5,000 sq. ft. $350.00
5,001 to 7,500 sq. ft. $400.00
7,501 or more sq. ft. $450.00

Use this form to submit a physical address application. For questions contact Emergency Management at mike.keyport@co.cook.mn.us or 218-387-3059

The Permit Fee is $100.00 for a New County Address Sign

The Permit Fee is $25.00 for a New City Address Sign

This permit authorizes the seasonal, long-term use of a Recreational Vehicle on a property as a habitable structure.

Travel Trailer Permit Fee is $150.00
Travel Trailer Permit - Renewal Fee is $100.00

Use this form to submit a Septic Inspection Request

Compliance Inspection-Onsite Sewage System Fee is $500.00
Compliance Inspection-Vault Privy or Holding Tank Fee is $300.00

A permit is required for any advertisement or display of a commercial nature in all zoning districts within Cook County.

A new permit must be obtained for any changes to the sign's display, size, or physical structure, excluding routine maintenance and repairs.

The Permit Fee is $200.00

Fill out this permit for any septic system required on a property. Certified septic designers are required to fill out this permit for a Privy Vault or any pressurized or gravity septic system.
Property owners may fill this permit out for a portable toilet, composting toilet or incineration toilet.

The Septic Permit Fee is $300.00
The Privy Permit/Compost Fee is $200.00

Use this form to submit a Variance Application

Variance Application Fee $400.00
Variance After the Fact Fee $500.00

Use this form to submit a well water test request

The Permit Fee is $175.00

Complete this form to make an initial request to co-locate equipment on a Cook County Radio Communication Tower and/or in a Radio Communication equipment shelter.

Use this form to start your City of Grand Marais Cannabis Registration