Ask a Trooper: Do I need a permit to get a boat dock to my lake house?

Ask a Trooper by Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol

Question: I bought a used boat dock; do I need a permit to get it to my lake house?

Answer: You can move a boat dock on Minnesota roads without a permit if the dock is no wider than 8 feet and 6 inches, no higher than 13 feet and 6 inches and no longer than 110 feet. The move must be done during daytime hours. The rear corners must be flagged with 18-foot squared red or orange flags. The dock sides will have to be flagged as well every 20 feet. If your dock is larger, then you need to contact MN permit at 651-296-3000.

A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota 56501-2205. You can follow him on X @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at jesse.grabow@state.mn.us.