Minnesota Town Now Requires Landscape Licenses

Landscape projects such as this can no longer be performed in the town of Crosslake, Minn. by unlicensed landscape contractors as the result of recently passed legislation.

Too many landscaping jobs were done without permits, especially shoreline work, in the city of Crosslake, Minn., which resulted in the Crosslake City Council approving an ordinance requiring landscaping contractors and excavators to secure a license from the city.

Landscaping that did not meet shoreland regulations was becoming a major problem for both the city and the Department of Natural Resources.

The application for a license shall include the number of employees of the applicant, all names the applicant does business under, provide a description and license number of each vehicle, the type of equipment proposed to be used, and the method and place of disposal of waste materials.

Applicants must present a letter of credit or a bond of not less than $50,000, plus have a commercial general liability insurance policy issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in Minnesota.

The licenses will expire at the end of the calendar year and may be renewed. The city may suspend or revoke a license upon finding a violation of the ordinance.

According to the legislation, violating any provision of the ordinance is a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, plus cost of prosecution.

Minimum penalties for convictions or violations start at $100 fine for first violation; $500 fine for second violation; $1,000 fine for third violation, plus 30-day suspension of license; and $2,000 fine plus license revocation for fourth violation.

Source: Pequot Lakes (Minn.) Echo