Eden Prairie is a community that has been recognized as a great place to work and raise a family. Money Magazine® calls Eden Prairie the 10th best place in the United States to live and work. It is a vibrant community of more than 60,000 people.
Eden Prairie is home to more than 2,200 businesses of all sizes and industry. The city's residential neighborhoods are located among 2,250 acres of parks, 1,300 acres of open space and more than 170 miles of multi-use trails. There also are many shopping and recreational opportunities in Eden Prairie. With its great location, strong business base, extensive park system, convenient shopping and leading school system, Eden Prairie is truly a place to Live • Work • Dream.
To learn more about Eden Prairie or to access online services, visit the city's Web site at www.edenprairie.org.

Year Population
1980 16,263
1990 39,311
2000 54,901
2005 60,981
Sources: Metropolitan Council, City of Eden Prairie & U.S. Census

City of Eden Prairie

Eden Prairie City Center
8080 Mitchell Rd., Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Telephone 952-949-8300
TDD 952-949-8399
Fax 952-949-8390
Web site www.edenprairie.org
24-Hour Comment Line 952-949-8561
Police, fire, medical emergencies 911
Police (non-emergency) 952-949-6200
Fire Department (non-emergency business line) 952-949-8367
Crime TIPS line 952-949-TIPS or 952-949-8477

Office of the City Manager
City council, city manager 952-949-8412
City clerk 952-949-8414
Communications 952-949-8554
Communications Hotline 952-949-8434
Communications e-mail communications@edenprairie.org

Community Development
General information 952-949-8485
Building inspections information 952-949-8342
Building inspections appointments 952-949-8341
Housing 24-hour hotline 952-949-8496
Real estate valuation & homestead 952-949-8511

Parks & Recreation
General information 952-949-8442
Eden Prairie Community Center 952-949-8470
Eden Prairie Senior Center 952-949-8475
Staring Lake Outdoor Center 952-949-8479
Parks maintenance 952-949-8535
Park shelter reservations 952-949-8471
Parks & recreation 24-hr. hotline 952-949-8449

Public Works & Engineering
Engineering general information 952-949-8330
City water plant 952-949-8530
Street maintenance 952-949-8533
Street maintenance 24-hr. hotline 952-949-8333
Water & sewer maintenance 952-949-8530
Utility billing (water and sewer) 952-949-8382

Other
Animal Control 952-949-6200
Licensing 952-949-6212

City Council

The city is a "Plan B" city. The council-manager plan of government means all policy and legislative decisions are the responsibility of the City Council. Eden Prairie residents are represented by the mayor and four councilmembers. The mayor serves four-year terms and the councilmembers serve four-year "at-large" staggered terms. City elections are held in even-numbered years with a general election in November.
The council delegates all administrative duties to a city manager. The manager is acountable to the council for the administration of city business in accordance with council decisions. The city manager oversees the day-to-day administrative duties and hires city staff.

Mayor
Phil Young
Dec. 31, 2010* 952-426-1931

Council Members
Brad Aho
Dec. 31, 2008* 952-944-5955
Sherry Butcher
Dec. 31, 2008* 952-829-5351
Jon Duckstad
Dec. 31, 2010 952-903-0274
Kathy Nelson
Dec. 31, 2010* 952-941-6613
*Date on which term expires.

Meetings

(Meetings are held in the City Council Chambers at Eden Prairie City Center, 8080 Mitchell Rd.)

City Council
Meets first and third Tuesdays 7 p.m.
Council meetings are open to the public unless it is in rare closed session. Citizens have the opportunity to speak before the council during Open Forum from 6:30-6:50 p.m., prior to City Council meetings. To take part in the Open Forum, residents must sign up with the city manager's office by noon on the day of the meeting. In addition, an Open Podium runs from 6:50-7 p.m., during which anyone may speak on any City of Eden Prairie matter. City Council meetings are televised live on EPTV Cable Channel 16. Playbacks of meetings are scheduled for opposite Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and on Saturdays at 1 p.m. on EPTV.
Arts & Culture Commission
Meets second Monday of each month 7 p.m.
Board of Appeal & Equalization
Meets April & May of each year.
Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission
Meets bi-monthly on the second Thursday of every other month 7 p.m.
Planning Commission
Meets second and fourth Mondays of each month 7 p.m.
Heritage Preservation Commission
Meets third Monday of each month. 7 p.m.
Human Rights & Diversity Commission
Meets second Tuesday, except July and Aug.. 7 p.m.
Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission
Meets first Mondays of each month 7 p.m.
Conservation Commission
Meets second Tuesday of each month 7 p.m.

City Ordinances*

* Detailed information about City of Eden Prairie ordinances is available by visiting www.edenprairie.org.

Building Permits
Inspections Dept. 952-949-8342
A city building permit is required when planning any new construction or alterations to a single-family residence. Permits are required for any alterations, additions and remodeling including: basement finishes, porches, decks attached to the house or decks greater than 30 inches above the ground, pools, retaining walls greater than 4 feet high, fences over 6 feet high, and sheds larger than 120 square feet.
The city of Eden Prairie has a permit process in which all plan reviews and permits–except those required for a new single-family residence and commercial work–can be issued on a one-stop basis.

Ordinance Administration
Community Development 952-949-8485
Zoning Hotline 952-949-8495
The City Division of Community Development at the Eden Prairie City Center administers city zoning ordinances and codes. Offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, to answer questions related to your property or surrounding property.
For general information, phone the Zoning Information Resource Line. You can access the Resource Line 24 hours a day with a touch-tone telephone. If you need additional information about a piece of property or have a specific concern, call the community development office.

General Residential

Setbacks
All residential structures and accessory structures, which include sheds, outbuildings, play structures and gazebos, are subject to specific setbacks from a lot line based on the zoning district. All structure setbacks are taken from the property line. The setback from a front, rear or side yard may vary based on the zoning district. To find out what a property is zoned and what the required setbacks are, call the community development office.

Driveway Information
In the residential R1 zoning districts, all driveways must be of cement or asphalt. The driveway must be at least 3 feet from a side lot line and shall not cross the extension of a property line to the curb line. There are traditionally 10 feet to 12 feet from the back of the curb to your lot line. The city suggests a driveway not be placed in the drainage and utility easement of property, as utility lines including cable TV, electric, sewer, water and gas may be in the easement area. Permits are not required to install or replace a driveway unless a new curb cut is being created.

Landscaping
Plant material may be located on your lot, including in drainage and utility easements, as plant material is not considered a permanent structure. Should the city or other public utility need to access any drainage or utility easement, however, removal or trimming of plant material may be necessary.
Certain lots in Eden Prairie may be subject to a conservation easement. As a property owner you should be aware if your property is subject to a conservation easement. No plant material may be placed in or removed from a conservation easement area until you receive approval from the city.
When installing plant material, keep in mind that once the shrub, tree or bush reaches maturity, any maintenance of the plant material should occur from the lot on which it is located. Therefore, any plant material should grow within the lot it is planted on. No plant material may be placed in street right-of-way. This is usually 10 feet to 12 feet from the back of the curb. Plant material may not interfere with vision of traffic.

Fences
Permits are not required for construction of fences. Maximum height for a fence is 6 feet. Fences may be located next to a property line. However, if the fence is placed next to the lot line, you may need to go on your neighbor’s property for repairs or maintenance. If a fence is placed on the corner of a lot by the street, you should allow sufficient setback of the fence so it will not block views of vehicles at the intersection. The city suggests you have a copy of the property survey before you install your fence to show location of lot lines. The curb line is not the property line. The city has no architecture control standards for fences. Private covenants and restrictions through a homeowner’s association may prohibit fences or suggest some architectural controls. Contact Gopher State One Call at 651-454-0002 before digging fence postholes, as required by law.

Fences Around Pools
All in-ground swimming pools located outside are required to have surrounding the pool a fence at least 4 feet in height and a maximum height of 6 feet. The fence must be at least 4 feet from the pool’s edge. The bottom of the fence or wall around the pool shall be no higher than 4 inches above the surface of the ground. Fence openings or points of entry to the pool area shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching lockable gates.

Lawn Maintenance
All grounds in a residential zoning district not covered by a building, patio or driveway must be covered in grass or ornamental landscaping, including rock material. Ground cover may grow to a height of 12 inches. Once the growth exceeds 12 inches, city code requires cutting. Should you identify a property in which grass is over 12 inches in height, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 952-949-8442.

Recreational Vehicle Parking
Parking or storing a recreational vehicle (RV) is allowed in a residential zoning district provided certain requirements are met. These include having not more than two RVs stored outside and that they are not more than 12 feet in height.
Requirements also deal with setback, storage surface, time of storage and other factors. RVs may not be used for living quarters or connected to water/sanitary sewer.
The city suggests you talk with your neighbors prior to placement of an RV on your lot. In addition, your neighborhood or lot may have private covenants or agreements that prohibit or limit the parking of RVs. This covenant or agreement would supersede the city regulations.

Home Occupation
A home occupation may occur in the Rural, Single-Family or Multiple zoning districts provided code regulations are maintained. A home occupation shall be conducted in a dwelling and clearly be incidental or secondary to the use of the structure as a dwelling.
It shall not be conducted in an accessory structure or outbuilding. No equipment or supplies associated with a home occupation shall be stored outside.
One sign of not more than 1 square foot is allowed and must be 10 feet from the property line. The home occupation shall be carried on only by members of a family residing in the dwelling and not more than one non-resident of the dwelling.
Not more than one truck greater than three-fourths-ton capacity associated with a home occupation and no semi-trailers may be stored on site.

Lawn Watering
City code limits lawn watering to an odd/even schedule. That means if your house address ends in an odd number, you may water your lawn on odd-numbered days only. If your house address ends in an even number, water only on even-numbered days. A watering ban is in effect in the city of Eden Prairie from noon to 5 p.m. each day, unless otherwise notified by the city.

City Center Meeting Rooms

For reservation information 952-949-8305 or 952-949-8432
The Eden Prairie City Center has rental facilities available for all occasions, including meetings, receptions, banquets, workshops, celebrations and special events.
To reserve a room or for more information, phone the City Center room reservation line. Leave a message on the voice mail system and a city staff person will return your call the next business day.

Police TIPS Line

24-Hour TIPS Line 952-949-TIPS
The Eden Prairie Police Department has a TIPS line for anonymous, confidential information. If you have information about a crime and you want to remain anonymous, phone the TIPS line.
The TIPS line is a voice mail message center where you can leave information about a crime 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TIPS messages are reviewed daily by a police investigator.
However, police stress that it’s important to dial 911 if you require police, fire or medical response; the TIPS line will not alert authorities for an emergency response.
Police urge people using the TIPS line to give as much information as possible, including car license numbers, names, physical descriptions and anything else that would help police investigate a crime. Rewards may be given for solved crimes when using a confidential code available only through the TIPS line.
The TIPS line is sponsored by the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund.

Municipal Liquor Stores

The City operates three municipal liquor stores and has the fourth largest municipal off-sale operation in the state. It is the City’s policy that profits generated by liquor operations be used to fund capital improvements. The liquor stores include the Den Road Store located across from Cub Foods, the Prairie View Store located on Prairie Center Drive, and the Prairie Village Store in the Prairie Village Mall at Hwy. 5 and County Rd. 4.
Prairie Village 952-937-9366
Den Road 952-914-0032
Prairie View 952-934-0067

Eden Prairie Foundation

8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie 952-949-8499
E-mail epfoundation@yahoo.com
Web site www.edenprairiefoundation.org
The Eden Prairie Foundation is dedicated to fostering pride in Eden Prairie through support of community organizations and projects that create a better quality of life and make the city a special place to live and work.
It is a 501(c) (3) qualified non-profit organization and operates on a completely volunteer basis with no paid staff. Its 16-member board is composed of persons selected by the City Council, School Board and civic and service organizations located in Eden Prairie, Chairs of the Ball Committee and other community volunteers.
In addition to proceeds from the annual Foundation Ball and other events, and charitable contributions through its Century Club, it also receives gifts in honor or in memory of community members, estate bequests and gifts of property, such as securities and real estate. For special gifts, it works with donors to assure that gifts or gift proceeds are applied in accordance with the donor’s wishes.