Water Structure Permit Application

When determining placement of your temporary water structure, please take into consideration the following conditions / regulations:

• The structure anchoring system will not be located in an area that would be a hazard to the safe navigation of the boating public
• The structure and anchoring system will not be placed in a location that would interfere with your neighbor(s) access to public waters
• Your structure and anchoring system will not be found to be detrimental to fish or wildlife habitat or located in a fish spawning area
• Your structure must also have sufficient reflective material and be placed in a location that does not obstruct the materials’ reflective light from all directions
• If your structure is a mooring buoy, floating raft (including swim/dive rafts and water trampolines) or swim areas; the structure must not be placed greater than 100 feet from the shoreline

Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office requires a permit for the placement or use of any temporary or permanent slalom course on any waterways within Otter Tail County.

Water Patrol Deputies will monitor and inspect your structure to ensure compliance with these and other safety rules and regulations.

• The permit holder must be the legal representative of a designated governmental subdivision, private corporation, private club, nonprofit organization, or business offering swimming to the public
• The entire perimeter of the designated swim area must be marked with buoys that are white in color with orange in color diamonds with crosses on each side. Also the buoys must have one horizontal orange colored band above and below the diamond / cross symbol
• The buoys must be no less than 9 inches in diameter and extend out of the water no less than 36 inches above the surface of the water. The buoys should also be spaced no more than 15 feet apart
• The buoys must be not be spaced no more than 75 feet apart and there shall be no less than three buoys marking any one side of the designated swim area
• Additional smaller buoys may be used to better define the designated swim area between the primary marker buoys. The additional buoys must be all white in color
• The swim area cannot be a navigational danger to the general boating public
• The structure must be removed by November 1st, so as not to create a hazard for developing ice and winter conditions
• Please understand that any structure placed in the public waters within Otter Tail County remain your responsibility to maintain. This however, does not prevent someone from using your structure. By issuing you a temporary structure permit, Otter Tail County, by rule of law, is not liable for any injuries or property damage by persons using, crashing into, or damage caused by, your temporary water structure.

If your structure fails to pass inspection, you will be notified in-person or by registered mail. The issue(s) must be corrected within seven days of notification, after which another inspection will be conducted. If your structure again fails to pass inspection, your structure will be removed from the public waters.

Due to the risks associated with wake board rails, no permit will be issued for the placement and/or use of these structure in Otter Tail County.

Complaints regarding temporary water structures may open a review of your permit. This process may result in amendments or special requirements to maintain your temporary structure permit. The Sheriff, by authority of Rule 6110.1800 Subpart 2, maintains the right to deny or cancel any permit for potential conflicts with location, safety, or navigational hazard. To appeal any special requirements, amendment, denial, or cancellation, you must request a meeting with the Otter Tail County Sheriff .