STANCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
ISANTI COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 2 SHARED DRIVEWAY ORDINANCE
SECTION 1. PURPOSE AND INTENT
The purpose of this ordinance is to regulate the use and establishment of shared driveways in Stanchfield Township to ensure public safety, emergency access, clarity of maintenance responsibilities, and to avoid confusion over public versus private roadway designation. This ordinance is intended to prevent future claims that shared driveways constitute township roads and to clearly allocate responsibilities among private landowners.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
· Shared Driveway: A privately constructed and maintained access way that serves as access to more than one parcel or dwelling and is not dedicated as a public road.
· Township Road Right-of-Way: Land owned or controlled by the Township for roadway purposes.
· Private Access Agreement: A recorded document establishing rights, responsibilities, and maintenance obligations of landowners using the shared driveway.
SECTION 3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Unshared Access Requirement: Each home in the Township must have its own un-shared driveway, unless otherwise allowed by this Ordinance.
2. Shared Driveway within Township Road Right-of-Way: If a shared driveway extends into or is located within the Township road right-of-way, Township Board approval is required prior to construction or modification.
3. Shared Driveways Outside of Right-of-Way: The Township may approve shared driveway access located outside of the road right-of-way under the following conditions:
a. Board Review and Approval: A formal request must be submitted to the Township Board prior to construction or use of a shared driveway serving more than one parcel.
b. Recorded Agreement Required: The applicant must prepare and record, at their expense, a Private Access Agreement with the Isanti County Recorder. The agreement must be recorded against all parcels served by the shared driveway and include the following:
i. Legal descriptions of all parcels using the shared driveway as access.
ii. Legal description of the driveway access area.
iii. A statement that the driveway is a private access maintained solely by the owners of the served parcels.
iv. A statement that the access is not, and shall never be construed to be, a Township road and that no Township funds will be used for its construction, maintenance, or improvement.
c. Submission of Agreement Copy: A recorded copy of the Private Access Agreement must be submitted to the Township before final approval of the shared driveway.
d. Driveway Permit and Signage: Upon payment for and issuance of a driveway permit, 911 address signs will be installed by the Township at the point where the shared driveway intersects the Township road.
e. Private Drive Signage: The owners of the parcels served by the shared driveway may install signage at their own expense identifying the access as a “Private Drive.”
4. Future Road Dedication Request
If the owners of parcels served by a shared driveway later seek to have the Township accept the driveway as a public road, the following requirements must be met:
a. The driveway must be brought into full compliance with the Township’s road standards at the expense of the landowners.
b. Formal petition and approval by the Township Board are required.
c. The Township has no obligation to accept the driveway, even if standards are met.
SECTION 4. ENFORCEMENT AND SEVERABILITY
Any violation of this ordinance shall be subject to enforcement actions in Isanti County District Court. If any section of this ordinance is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall become effective upon its passage and publication according to law.
Adopted by the Township of Stanchfield this 3rd day of July, 2025.
Approved: John Shockman, Chairman
Attested: Valerie Anderson, Clerk