All dogs within the city are to be restrained on a leash at all times. Those who violate this rule may receive a citation. Dogs over 6 months of age must be licensed with the city within 30 days of ownership. A City of Shakopee dog license is good for one year and provides free access to the dog park at Southbridge Community Park.

City ordinances also dictate that the pet owner cleans up after their dog and does not allow them to habitually bark or cry. Visit Pets & Animals for more information on animals within city limits.

The city restricts hours of construction operations from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The City Council occasionally approves requests to extend work hours in order to complete a project more quickly.

See: City Code 130.45c

To combat juvenile violence and crime, the city has a juvenile curfew ordinance. Youth are prohibited from being out alone from:

There is an exception to the curfew for students who are lawfully attending, going to or returning from school, church or community sponsored athletic, musical or social activities or events or place of employment. Shakopee police officers enforce the curfew ordinance seven days a week. Many juveniles caught out after curfew are either released to their parents or taken to the Scott County Juvenile Facility.

See: City Code 130.39

There are two types of scooters: mopeds and motorized foot scooter. Minnesota state law regulates use of scooters in Minnesota.

Moped (motorized/electric-assisted bicycle)

• Bicycles must be registered annually
• Must have liability insurance
• Riding on a sidewalk is prohibited
• Passengers limited to parent/guardian
• Must be 16 years of age (15 years for electric assisted bicycle)
• Riders under 18 must wear a helmet

Motorized foot scooter

• Riding on a sidewalk is prohibited
• No passengers
• Must be 12 years of age
• Protective headgear required

See: Scooter Fact Sheet [PDF]

The sale, possession and use of certain non-explosive and non-aerial consumer fireworks are permitted. A permit is required to sell fireworks in the city.

Examples of legal fireworks:

• Sparklers, cones and tubes that emit sparks
• Novelty items like snakes and party poppers. 

Explosive and aerial fireworks are prohibited for public sale, possession and use. 

Examples of prohibited fireworks:

• Firecrackers
• Bottle rockets
• Missiles
• Roman candles
• Mortars
• Shells.

Consumer fireworks may not be used on public property (i.e. parks, roads, alleys, schools, government property, etc.). Please also be aware of the city's noise ordinance.

See: City Code 130.10

A common complaint among Shakopee residents involves tall grass and weeds on neighboring properties. City ordinances require that grass on private property should not be in excess of eight (8) inches in length. Failure to comply with this ordinance could result in citations as well as additional fees.

See: City Code 130.17

The shooting of shotguns with shot shells, bow and arrow or BB guns is permitted only in the following areas of the city:

• North of the Minnesota River and west of County Highway 101
• South of Vierling Drive and east of Spencer Street (County Highway 79)

 Additionally,

• Shooting is permitted only on contiguous tracts of 40 acres or more.
• The person shooting must be the landowner or have the written permission of the landowner.
• No firearm can be discharged within 500 feet of a building or public road.
• Other areas where hunting with bow and arrow or shotgun with shot shells is allowed include land east of Valleyfair and north of County Highway 101. 

See: City Code 130.36

The City of Shakopee observes quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. for music and other performed or projected noise.

The city also has additional noise restrictions for certain activities:

• Construction activities, domestic power equipment and refuse hauling is restricted from operating between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. weekdays and 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. weekends and holidays. Snow removal is exempt from this restriction.
• Recreational vehicles may not be operated between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

See: City Code 130.45

Residents are required to trim trees and bushes overhanging on public property (streets, alleys and sidewalks) to reduce hazardous conditions and maintain good sight lines. Streets and alleys should have an overhead clearance of 15 feet; sidewalks 9 feet.

See: City Code 90.05

The city's parking ordinances can be found City Code chapter 71. Common violations include:

• No vehicle may remain parked on a city street in excess of 24 hours. Variances may be requested through the Police Department.
• No vehicles are to be parked on grass.
• It is unlawful to park an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle in a driveway or yard. All vehicles need to display current tabs.
• Winter parking rules are in effect from Nov. 1 through March 31. No parking is allowed on any public street between 2 and 6 a.m. with the exception of a small portion designated for odd/even parking.
• The city declares a snow emergency after two inches of snow.

See: City Code chapter 71

Peddlers and solicitors are restricted to the hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. If you are approached outside of those hours, please contact Scott County Dispatch at 952-445-1411.

Tips for dealing with peddlers and solicitors 

• Ask to see city-issued license or registration (see example below).
• Post a city-issued Peddlers & Solicitors Prohibited Sign [PDF]
• Ignore them. Look through the peep hole; you’re not obligated to answer the door.
• Do not let an unknown person into your home to use the bathroom or demonstrate a product.
• Do not get into a conversation with a solicitor; it only encourages them to stay.
• Watch where the solicitor goes next and notice what they do. Look for suspicious behavior, such as looking in car windows, testing doors for locks or entering backyards.
• Remember a solicitor may not remain on your property after you have asked him/her to leave.
• Report aggressive or suspicious solicitors to law enforcement immediately at 911 (aggressive or threatening) or Non-Emergency 952-445-1411 (suspicious).  Provide a description of the solicitor and what direction they were headed.

Prevent peddlers and solicitors from approaching your home or business

City Code allows property owners to place a city-designed sign (above) at the main entrance to their home or business indicating that they do not wish to be contacted by peddlers. Signs are also available at the Police Department, 475 Gorman St., during regular business hours.

Peddlers disregarding a posted sign should be reported by calling 952-445-1411. Please include the peddler or solicitor's license number when you call to help the city track down the proper solicitor.

A burning permit is not needed for recreational fires less than 3-feet-by-3-feet in size. However, city code requires that recreational fires must:

• Contain only natural, clean-burning wood
• Not be conducted within 25 feet of any building. This can be reduced to 15 feet when fully enclosed in a portable fire pit
• Not be conducted if winds are more than 15 miles per hour or are in the direction of nearby structures
• Not be conducted if a total burning ban is in effect
• Have a source of extinguishment nearby (hose, bucket of water, fire extinguisher, etc.)
• Be supervised at all times until the fire has been extinguished
• Be discontinued if deemed hazardous or a nuisance by a member of the fire or police department

See: City Code 130.06

City Code includes rules and regulations regarding storage of recreational vehicles (RVs) and other seasonal vehicles. Information about storing these vehicles is available in Parking.

See: City Code 151.141G4

It is the responsibility of the homeowner or tenant of the abutting private property to ensure that sidewalks are free of snow and ice. Failure to address snow and ice within 36 hours after being deposited on the sidewalk may result in citations and fees. Properties zoned commercial are to address this issue within 24 hours.

Snow removal is exempt under the city's noise prevention ordinance.

See: City Code 90.04

Snowmobiles may drive only on marked snowmobile trails or in ditch bottoms of county highways. Snowmobiles may only drive on residential streets to access a snowmobile trail. Park and rides are available southwest of Canterbury Park and near the Louisville Swamp.

Snowmobiles should never drive on public land, unless a marked trail, or private property without the owner’s permission.

See City Code 72.03

The “move over” law, also known as the Ted Foss Law, was written after Minnesota State Trooper Ted Foss was hit and killed by a semi-truck on Aug. 31, 2000, during a traffic stop. The law is designed to give emergency vehicles room to work on the portion of roadway they are occupying by requiring passing motorists to leave a lane vacant between them and those parked emergency vehicles. The law also requires that drivers reduce their speed as they pass the location of the emergency vehicle(s) and road repair equipment. Emergency vehicle is defined by Minnesota statute as the following: towing vehicles, police vehicles, ambulances and fire trucks.

See: Minn. Statutes 169.18