Community Development
General Information

If you are planning an improvement project to your home and are not planning to do the work yourself, you should check into the license status of your contractors.

Some restrictions may apply regarding concrete patio or sidewalk installation.  In order to protect the quality of water in Lake Okabena and to comply with State law, the City has included certain areas of the City in a Shoreland Overlay district.  Within this district there are limits on the percentage of a lot which may be covered with impervious surfaces such as buildings, concrete, asphalt and gravel.  Impervious surfaces which are added in violation of this ordinance may be required to be removed.

The Shoreland Overlay district encompasses a large part of the City, including areas a substantial distance from the lake or creeks.  If you are contemplating adding any impervious surfaces to your property, you should contact Community Development before beginning work to find out if these regulations apply to your property.

These types of signs are not permitted in the public right-of-way.  This means signs cannot be taped or tied to any street lights or traffic signs or placed in the boulevard areas of any street right-of-way (see Road Right-of-Way information below).  These signs may also be subject to size and duration limitations.  You should contact the Community Development office for the installation or posting of any other type of sign.

The City of Worthington does not retain a Registered Land Surveyor on staff.  The location of lot lines is the responsibility of the property owner.  The location of utility boxes, sidewalk joints, unmarked iron posts or other such unidentified monuments cannot be relied upon for the exact location of property boundaries.

The street right-of-way includes the roadway pavement and a boulevard area extending beyond the pavement.  Street right-of-way often includes a public sidewalk.  Nothing other than utility services, approved mail boxes, and walks are allowed in the right-of-way area.  Items that are not permitted include underground sprinkler systems, fencing (including electronic dog fencing), and any other obstructions.  If you are interested in information on the road right-of-way you should contact the Community Development office.  Please remember the required Gopher State One Call for this as well as any other project involving excavation.

A public easement is taken where a public utility or other facility (underground electric, sanitary or storm sewers etc.) is buried.  The City then has rights to access and maintain utilities on those areas.  No structures are allowed to be placed on easements.  Also prohibited are perennial plantings.  If you have questions on easements or would like to know if there is an easement on your property, you should contact the Community Development office.

Hard surfaced off-street parking is required for most land uses.  The Community Development office will determine the number of parking stalls required for your use.