Frequently Asked Questions

The Plymouth Fire Department typically hires paid-on-call firefighters on an annual basis.

For more information, visit the Fire Department page and click on the Becoming a Firefighter link.

If you have questions, please call Heidi Sanderson at 763-509-5122.

Residents of Plymouth and the Wayzata School District do not need to be members to use Life Time Fitness. Instead, they may opt to pay a daily fee.

Plymouth residents and non-residents may also purchase a membership from Life Time Fitness. To check availability, please call 763-509-0909.

For more information, click here.

Water rates increased 3.5% in 2012.
Sewer rates increased 2.0% in 2012.

Program assistance dollars are available to assist families who meet income guidelines. These funds are available to Plymouth residents only. It is the policy of the City of Plymouth to provide services to all residents regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, ability or financial status. Guidelines provide for two programs per child (under 18) per seasonal recreation brochure. The discount is 75%, with maximum assistance for any one program of $75. Life Time Fitness discount passes are available to all ages with a limit of eight passes per year per individual. Limited funds are available for the assistance program, and assistance is subject to availability of these funds. To apply, you must submit a program assistance form (PDF).

The Parks & Recreation Activities Guide publishes courses sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department. This guide is mailed to Plymouth residents three times a year. By subscribing to the guide for $9 per year, non-residents can receive the mailing as well.

• For inquiries on becoming a vendor at a special event, call 763-509-5200 or submit a request.
• Click here for more information on sponsoring events.

• To add a member or update any account information, call 763-509-5200 or submit a request via email. Online Registration does not have family account editing capabilities.
• Only family members living in your household may be added to your account.

• Registration withdrawal / refund policy – participant must cancel no less than one week prior to the start of program to qualify for a refund. A $5 service fee is retained for each program withdrawal request.
• To cancel a program registration call 763-509-5200. On-line registration cancellation is not available. All cancellations must be done over the phone or in person. No email requests will be accepted.

All recreational opportunities are publicized in the city's recreation booklet. There are several ways to register:

1. Online registration is available once your family is entered into our system. Please call 763-509-5200 to learn how to obtain a participant identification number.
2. You may also charge classes over the phone using Discover, MasterCard or VISA during office hours.
3. You may register for programs by completing the forms in the booklet and mailing them in with your payment.
4. In addition, you can register in person during office hours.

Reconstruction and overlay projects are assessed according to the city's current assessment policy. Each project varies in cost depending on many factors, such as existing conditions, proposed improvements, number of properties and bids from contractors. Previous project assessments for single family dwellings have been as low as $4,000 or as high as $12,000 for a reconstruction project and $1,000-$2,000 for an overlay project.

Final assessments are determined at the assessment hearing. The following are discussed in more detail at the time of the assessment hearing, but payment options include:

•  Pay the entire assessment off within 30 days of the assessment hearing with zero percent interest;
• Include the assessment with the property taxes. If the assessment is below $5,000 it is collected over a 5 year period; between $5,001 and $10,000 it is collected over a 10 year period; and above $10,001 it is collected over a 15 year period. Interest rates will be applied to any assessments included in the property taxes; and.
• Partial payments are accepted within 30 days of the assessment hearing. The remaining balance will be included in the property taxes and interest will be calculated on the remaining balance.

Street lights are the responsibility of the electric utility company. Plymouth is served by two electric utility companies – Xcel Energy and Wright-Hennepin Electric. Click on the link to your power company below to report a street light out:

• Xcel Energy
• Wright-Hennepin Electric

• City Streets – Report to Plymouth Street Division at 763-509-5950 or click the button below to submit your request online via Plymouth At Your Service.
  
  
  
• County Roads – Report to Hennepin County Transportation Department
• State Highways – Report to the Minnesota Department of Transportation

To be minimally qualified, one must:

• Be a high school graduate or equivalent and at least 18 years of age on appointment date. 
• Successfully pass initial and periodic physical ability tests, physical examinations, criminal background checks, stress tests, drug screens, pulmonary function tests and psychological evaluations. 
• Possess a valid Minnesota driver's license. 
• Have the ability to regularly respond to emergency calls within established time periods.

Firefighters hired for daytime duty crew must maintain a 20-minute travel time to a Plymouth fire station and be affiliated with another fire department during their non-duty crew time. Others must maintain a six minute travel time during their designated on-call, available time. Department rules prohibit tobacco use while on duty.

Stop signs are installed at intersections where traffic on one street should have priority over traffic on another. On streets with very low traffic volumes, stop signs are not normally installed because the Minnesota right of way rule – yield to the vehicle on the right – generally works well.

If you have a question on whether or not your street needs a stop sign, please call the Engineering Division at 763-509-5500.

Click the button below to submit your request online via Plymouth At Your Service.

After a snowfall of 2 ½ inches or more, on-street parking is prohibited until the street has been plowed curb-to-curb. Violators may be tagged and towed.

Click here for more information.

Click the 'eNotify Sign Up' button to receive email updates on Snow Emergency Alerts.

 

Parking is prohibited from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. year-round on streets.

• Weekdays - Report to the Public Works Street Maintenance Division at 763-509-5950. Staff will determine whether the state, county or city is responsible for the signal. Staff will promptly notify the appropriate agency so that the problem may be corrected.
• Weekends & After Business Hours – Report to Public Safety Dispatch at 763-525-6210.

Click the button below to submit your request online via Plymouth At Your Service.

 

 

The City of Plymouth ordinance is identical to the Hennepin County curfew ordinance, which is also observed in our neighboring cities.

Curfew Law 

• Under Age 12 - Home by 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday -- Home by 10 p.m.
• Ages 12 - 14 - Home by 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday – Home by 11 p.m.; and 
• Ages 15-17 - Home by 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday – midnight.

Current volunteer opportunities are found on the city’s website, in the Plymouth News, and on Channel 16. In addition, volunteers who assist with special events receive regular updates on upcoming events.

The surface water fee is used to administer the surface water plan, erosion control, wetland regulations, and environmental programs. See surface water fee.