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Cook County Connections: Cook County E-911 Addressing System

May 19, 2023 09:53AM ● By Content Editor

Photo: Courtney Wentz


From Cook County, Minnesota - May 19, 2023

By: Mike Keyport, Cook County Emergency Management Director

 

The Office of Emergency Management manages the county-wide emergency 911 (E-911) addressing system, the role of which is to provide the public with competent, timely and effective emergency and non-emergency public safety services.

911 is the telephone number that provides direct access to police, fire and medical assistance, and initiates a coordinated response using this system. Simply put, your E-911 address sign lets emergency responders know where to find you. Thus, it is important that your E-911 sign is clearly visible on your property from all directions.

How do I apply for an E-911address for my property?

Visit https://permits.co.cook.mn.us to apply for a physical address sign. This can also be found on the Cook County website under the services tab and then e-permitting tab. Cook County's Office of Emergency Management, with assistance from the GIS Division, will assign your property an address in the database and produce your sign. This address will be used for your E-911 number and parcel delivery as applicable.

What are the costs associated with obtaining my address?

The fee for a new E-911 address is $100, which includes your double-sided sign and signpost.

When will I receive my address and sign?

Please allow up to three weeks for processing of your address application and production of your E-911 sign. Once your sign is ready, you will receive notification of your new address, and your blue address sign will be available for pick-up at the Cook County Courthouse, 411 West Second Street, Grand Marais. The county will also provide notification of the new address to the post office.

Who is responsible for installation and maintenance of my sign?

Cook County needs your assistance in making the E-911 system work effectively and efficiently. The system relies upon the property owner to properly install and maintain their sign. Please keep your sign visible at all times by removing vegetation, debris, snow and other obstructions.

If your sign is damaged or removed, contact the Office of Emergency Management to obtain a new sign, or go online to https://permits.co.cook.mn.us to apply for a replacement sign. The fee to replace an E-911 sign is $25.

Cook County also assigns E-911 addresses for the City of Grand Marais. The fee is $25, and you will not receive a blue sign or post. This Application is under Land Services in E-permitting on the County website.  Property owners will be responsible for displaying assigned address per City of Grand Marais Ordinance.

What else should I know?

Moving your driveway or changing the entrance point will likely require a new address assignment, which entails submitting a new application and installing a new sign.

Additionally, Cook County Ordinance No. 44, Primary Structure Address Ordinance, requires that any driveway serving three or more primary structures be assigned a road name. This is vital to providing the best possible public safety services. Privately named roads are then added to the E-911 system and marked with a road intersection sign, which aids in emergency response.

 

For more information visit https://permits.co.cook.mn.us or contact Mike Keyport at [email protected].

 

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.

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