Planning & Zoning

The Planning and Zoning Office administers and enforces zoning, land use, and subdivision regulations for unincorporated areas of the county, and includes the Environmental Health, Building Inspection, and Feedlot Divisions. The department provides staff support to the County Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment. Other areas of responsibility include solid waste management, water quality testing, on-site sewage treatment regulation, construction plan review and site inspection, complaint investigations, and a number of related issues.

Planning & Zoning to Close Office from Noon to 1 p.m. Daily Beginning Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Beginning tomorrow (Nov. 25), the Wright County Planning & Zoning Office public-facing counter will be closed from noon to 1 p.m. daily. The reason is due to limited in office staff and COVID-19 requirements for sanitizing surfaces and equipment. For those who are unaware of this closure and arrive at the Planning & Zoning Office in the Wright County Government Center, a table will be setup where things such as building permits and water tests can be dropped off.  This change is intended to be temporary (likely throughout the winter months) and when the office reverts back to normal protocol, it will be posted on the county website. Until then, the public hours for conducting P&Z transactions will be from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Planning & Zoning Operations - COVID-19

Although the Planning and Zoning counter is open, due to the COVID-19 virus, in-person access to staff is by appointment only.  Please follow the guidelines below to directly interact with the Planning and Zoning Department:

Building & Septic Permit Applications – We are still accepting permit applications for construction projects within our jurisdiction. If you would like to apply for a permit, see the following:

Dwellings, additions, storage buildings, etc. - Temporary Permit Application

Roofing, siding, windows, mechanical, plumbing – Maintenance Application

Septic systems - Septic Permit Application

Once the application has been filled out and signed, it can be either mailed or you may schedule an appointment with Department staff for in-person submission.

Building & Septic Inspections – Building and septic system inspections are still being conducted, but with additional precautionary measures being taken.  Please contact the building department at 763-682-7338 to schedule an inspection and to review the new procedures.

Planning and Zoning Inquiries and Staffing – Most staff will continue to primarily work remotely, there will be scheduled in-office days.  If you must meet staff in person, please email or call them directly. A list of staff email address can be found on the staff directory.

Compost and Recycling – The Wright County Compost and Recycling Facility will be establishing winter hours beginning on Tuesday, December 1st.  The hours available for public drop-off of Household Hazardous Waste, problem materials such as electronics, appliances, and used tires, recyclables, and scrap metal will be continue to be expanded to Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the original Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the 2nd Saturday of the month from 8:00 a.m. to noon.  Appointments are still required. Please see the Compost Facility website for further information and to schedule an appointment.

In addition to our regular operating hours during November and December, the Wright County Compost Facility will have modified hours during these upcoming holiday season days:

Thursday, November 26, Thanksgiving Day - CLOSED
Thursday, December 24, Christmas Eve - OPEN 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Thursday, December 31. New Year's Eve - OPEN 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

We are sorry for the inconvenience this situation has created and are working our best to still service the public and yet maintain the integrity of the guidance that we have been given.