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Conducting City Business

City buildings remain closed to the public with the exception of Blaine City Hall which is open by appointment only. Specific information regarding appointment scheduling can be found in each department section below. Most city business can still be conducted remotely by contacting staff by email or phone. You can find contact information at BlaineMN.gov/Directory.   

Voters wishing to cast an in-person absentee ballot can do so at the Mary Ann Young Center. More specific information on procedures for health and safety of all voters can be found at BlaineMN.gov/Elections. 

By Appointment Only

Building Status

  • Blaine City Hall
    (by appointment only, see specific department information for details)
    10801 Town Square Drive NE
  • Blaine Public Works
    (closed to the public)
    1801 101st Avenue NE
  • Mary Ann Young Center
    (closed for all senior programming; open for in-person voting only, visit BlaineMN.gov/Elections for details)
    9150 Central Ave NE
  • All city park buildings
    (closed)

How to Conduct Business Without Coming to City Facilities

While city hall is open by appointment only, the majority of city business can continue to be conducted without in person meetings. City staff will continue to be reachable by phone or email. To reach city staff, please view the complete staff directory. If you are unsure of who to contact, please call 763-784-6700 or email Communications@BlaineMN.gov.

Some services are currently suspended, these services include:

  • Car seat checks
  • Bike helmet fittings

New Options to Communicate with the City

The City of Blaine has new options available to communicate with the city. 

  • Online Chat - On the city website BlaineMN.gov, look for the new chat feature in the bottom right hand corner. 
  • Text the City - Residents can text the city with COVID-19 related questions at 763-292-4569. 

City staff is available 8AM to 4:30PM to answer questions and guide visitors to the correct information. Both options allow for after hours contact, just leave your message and city staff will respond between 8AM and 4:30PM.

Departments Offering In-Person Appointments

  1. Building Inspections
  2. City Clerk
  3. Community Standards
  4. Elections
  5. Engineering
  6. Planning
  7. Police Department
  8. Utility Billing

  1. Conducting City Business


    Building inspections of interior privately occupied homes are currently being completed by a virtual inspection. You will need access to FaceTime on an iPhone or a Skype like app for other types of phones. When you schedule your inspection, the scheduler will give you a half hour window during which the inspector will call you for your virtual inspection. Commercial and new construction inspections will continue as normal.

    Plan Review Time


    • Review time is up to 15 business days due to the COVID-19 process and the busy construction season.

    Scheduling Inspections


    • 612-422-3285

    Dropbox Plan Submittal Questions

    • 612-206-6883

    Licensing and Certificate of Occupancy Questions

    • 612-422-3291

    Septic System Questions

    • 612-240-9611

    All Other Questions


    • 612-206-6883
    • 612-422-3291
    • 612-240-9611

    Plan Submittal Process

     
    All plans should be submitted electronically via Dropbox. For residential new home packets and large commercial plans and applications, email AAnderson@BlaineMN.gov  or TSiemsen@BlaineMN.gov for a link.

    For all other residential projects including mechanical and plumbing, small commercial building projects and commercial mechanical and plumbing, please email the application and plans to Plans@BlaineMN.gov.

    If you are unable to submit plans digitally, plans can be mailed to:
    Blaine City Hall
    10801 Town Square Drive NE
    Blaine MN 55449
    Or drop-off plans off in the entryway of Blaine City Hall. Keep in mind this way will include a longer processing time.

    For more information, contact Tammy Siemsen at 612-240-9611 or email TSiemsen@BlaineMN.gov, or visit BlaineMN.gov/BuildingInspections.

  2. Blaine City Hall is Open by Appointment Only


    You can access permit applications, requirements, and submittal information at BlaineMN.gov/BuildingInspections. Most city business can still be conducted remotely by contacting staff by email or phone. You can find contact information at BlaineMN.gov/Directory. If you have questions or a request that were not answered on the building inspections page, please schedule an appointment request.

    Once your request is received, you will be contacted by a building inspections team member to assist you and prepare for your appointment.

    Building inspections is available for in-person appointments for:
    • Property Inquiries
    • Residential Permit Assistance
    • Commercial Permit Assistance
    Please remember that everyone visiting city hall must wear a face mask before entering city hall and at all times while in the building. If you do not have a face mask, the city will provide a disposable one to you.

    Book an Appointment

Connect with Other City Departments

  1. Blaine City Council, Boards, and Commissions
  2. Human Resources
  3. Mary Ann Young Center
  4. Parks and Recreation
  5. Public Works
  1. Starting in July, City of Blaine public meetings will again be held in the city council chambers at Blaine City Hall. These meetings will be a hybrid of Zoom meetings and in-person meetings. Members of the council, boards, commissions, and the public who wish to attend remotely can still join the meetings via Zoom as has been done for the past few months.

    The council chambers will have limited seating, with audience chairs being set up at least six feet apart. There will be an overflow area where the meeting can be watched in the Cloverleaf Farms Room, also with chairs set up at least six feet apart. Please note that anyone inside city hall is required to wear a face mask at all times in all public areas of the building. For individuals without a face mask the city will provide a disposable mask to wear while in city hall. A hand sanitizer station will be located outside of the council chambers. All individuals are asked to sanitize their hands prior to entering the chambers. When speaking to the council there will be a mark on the floor for the public to stand while speaking.

    Public Comment Before a Meeting


    If you will not be attending the meeting in-person, city staff has developed a public comment process for virtual meetings. A public comment email address, PublicComment@BlaineMN.gov, and phone number, 763-717-2782, allow individuals to submit comments prior to a meeting. Those comment boxes are available until noon on the day of the meeting. The comments will be compiled and delivered to the Blaine City Council or the appropriate commission or advisory board.

    Public Comment During a Meeting


    Public comment is usually heard during any scheduled public hearings and during open forum. Due to limited space and the need for social distancing, groups that wish to speak at a public meeting are asked to send one representative to speak. Others can participate virtually via Zoom. Please note that any items you wish to show to the council, board, or commission such as a petition or photos should be submitted prior to the meeting. After your agenda item is complete, please leave the council chambers so that others can fill the space for the next agenda items.

    Members of the public who will not be attending the meeting in-person and who wish to comment during public comment periods will be asked to join the meeting on the Zoom webinar platform. Meeting attendees will be able to click the raise hand button, this will alert city staff that an individual wishes to comment. When it is time for comments, individuals will be recognized and their microphones will be enabled allowing them to comment. Zoom meeting information can be found in the calendar notification and on the agenda for each meeting. For more information and to view the meeting calendar, visit BlaineMN.gov/CityCouncil.

    Ways to Watch a Meeting


    If you do not wish to comment on an item but still want to watch the meeting you are asked to watch through all the normal methods the city provides. You can watch on North Metro TV which is available on Comcast (channel 799 and 16) or through a free app on Apple TV or Roku. You can also watch a live stream at BlaineMN.gov/Video.

    Any questions regarding Blaine City Council meetings, please contact City Clerk Cathy Sorensen at 763-785-6124 or CSorensen@BlaineMN.gov.

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