Permits, licenses and fees

Section 1000.03 of the city code lets the council set license fees by resolution. The current schedule is Resolution 2026-01, adopted January 13, 2026 and effective for the year. Building and demolition permits are priced off the state building code fee table rather than a flat city fee.

What needs a permit

Building permit: to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish a building (code section 400.05). Any detached structure over 200 square feet needs one (520.13, as amended by Ordinance 108). Fences six feet or taller need one; shorter fences do not (520.09).
Sign permit, $40, for signs not exempted in section 525.
Right-of-way or excavation permit, $300 plus $0.40 per lineal foot, for any work in a street or boulevard.
Moving permit, $400, to move a building on city streets (Ordinance 107).
Burning permit, $20, for open burning.
Rental license, $30 per property every three years, for any rented dwelling (Ordinance 92).
Golf cart permit, $40, then $20 a year, issued at the police department with a driver's license, proof of insurance and a slow-moving-vehicle sign.
Pet license, $10 or $20 for three years, with proof of rabies vaccination; a $5 penalty applies after February 28.
Transient merchant, peddler, mobile merchant licenses for anyone selling door to door or from a vehicle.
Liquor, beer and wine licenses, and a $40 dance permit and $350 caterer's permit for events.

Fee schedule (Resolution 2026-01)

Category	Item	Fee
Licenses	Tobacco	$75
Licenses	Liquor, on-sale	$1,100
Licenses	Liquor, on-sale Sunday	$200
Licenses	3.2 beer, on-sale	$600
Licenses	Wine, on-sale	$500
Licenses	3.2 beer, special on-sale (temporary)	$45 per day
Licenses	3.2 beer, off-sale	$100
Licenses	Club on-sale	$300
Licenses	Liquor license training verification	$100
Licenses	Caterer's permit (special event)	$350
Licenses	Dance	$40
Licenses	Garbage hauler	$125
Licenses	Recycling hauler	$125
Licenses	Peddlers, canvassers, transient merchants	$125 investigation; $125 daily; $500 annual
Licenses	Mobile merchant	$125 initial application; $75 annual
Licenses	Sidewalk obstruction	$20 license; $20 inspection
Licenses	Golf cart registration	$40 new; $20 annual renewal
Licenses	Rental unit	$30 every 3 years; $10 per additional unit (max $100 per property)
Animals	Cat or dog license, spayed/neutered (3 years)	$10
Animals	Cat or dog license, intact (3 years)	$20
Animals	Late penalty after February 28	$5
Animals	Duplicate license	$1
Animals	Animal at large pick-up, no license	$100
Animals	Animal at large pick-up, licensed	$50
Public safety	Police or fire report	$35
Public safety	Disorderly property service call	$200
Public safety	Fire call	$1,000 plus equipment time (engine $190/hr, tender $180/hr, grass rig $140/hr)
Public safety	Repeated non-fire / non-medical calls (more than 3 in 12 months)	$150
Planning and zoning	Conditional use permit	$300
Planning and zoning	Rezoning	$300
Planning and zoning	Variance	$300
Planning and zoning	Parcel split or replat	$300
Planning and zoning	Lot combination, simple	$100
Planning and zoning	Street excavation / right-of-way permit	$300
Planning and zoning	Excavation, per lineal foot	$0.40
Planning and zoning	Obstruction permit (roll-off, dumpster)	$50 per day over 8 hours
Planning and zoning	Sign permit	$40
Planning and zoning	Moving permit	$400
Planning and zoning	Burning permit	$20
Planning and zoning	Building permit	Per state building code fee schedule (U.B.C.)
Planning and zoning	Demolition permit	Per state building code fee schedule
General government	Downtown sidewalk snow removal (city does it)	$0.07 per lineal foot
General government	Returned check	$45
General government	Copies	$0.25 per page
General government	Notary	$1
General government	Fax	$0.50/page in; $1 first page out, $0.25 after
General government	Special council or planning meeting for one individual	$500
General government	Lawn mowing after violation	$125 per occurrence
Parks	Depot Park building rent	$75, plus $50 deposit
Pool	Family pass (4 members)	$140; $20 each additional
Pool	Individual pass	$75
Pool	Daily pass, afternoon or evening	$5
Pool	Regular lessons	$50
Pool	Private lessons, per half hour	$25
Pool	Private pool party (2-hour minimum)	$100 per hour
Utilities	Sewer connection, new home	$900
Utilities	Water connection, new home	$900
Utilities	Electric meter connection, new home	$250 plus tax

Source: Resolution 2026-01, Establish License Fees and Compensation (adopted Jan. 13, 2026). Sewer and storm rates in Attachment A were superseded May 16, 2026 by the KMU rate sheet; see Utilities.

Application forms

Every form can be completed and submitted on this site, signed by typing your name; the completed application goes to City Hall with a copy to you. The city's PDF is linked for reference.

Questions

How much is a building permit in Kenyon, MN?

Building and demolition permits are charged per the state building code fee schedule (the resolution says "Per U.B.C."), based on the value of the work. Zoning fees are flat: $300 for a variance, conditional use permit, rezoning or parcel split, $100 for a simple lot combination, $40 for a sign permit.

Do I need a permit for a fence in Kenyon?

Only if the fence is six feet or taller. Fences must sit entirely on your property, or one foot inside the line unless the neighbor agrees in writing to a line fence (city code 520.09).

Do I need a permit for a shed in Kenyon?

Any detached structure over 200 square feet needs a building permit. A residential lot may have at most two accessory structures totaling no more than 1,000 square feet, no taller than 14 feet or one story, and never in the front yard (code 520.13 as amended by Ordinance 108).

How do I get a golf cart permit in Kenyon?

Apply at the Kenyon Police Department, 719 2nd Street, weekday office hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and have a slow-moving-vehicle sign on the cart. You must be 18 or older. $40 the first year, $20 to renew.