Lake Elmo, MN · Washington County
Variance Application
This variance application lets an applicant request permission to deviate from Lake Elmo City Code and is filed with the city by the applicant and property owner.
- licensed online notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
What you’ll need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Webcam-enabled device (laptop or phone)
- This form, ready to upload as a PDF
What this form is
Use this packet to ask the City of Lake Elmo to consider a project that deviates from code. It requests applicant, owner, and property details, the reason for the variance, and information explaining practical difficulties; it also includes an escrow agreement and supporting-material instructions. The city reviews completed applications, schedules a public hearing, and considers the request through the Planning Commission and City Council.
Who needs it
Applicants seeking a variance from Lake Elmo City Code must submit the application packet with the required property-owner signatures and supporting materials.
Why it needs a notary
The escrow agreement includes acknowledgment blocks for the applicant and owner; each person signing that agreement appears before the notary and acknowledges signing it.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download The Variance Packet
Download the City of Lake Elmo variance application packet and review its application, supporting-material, and escrow agreement requirements.
- 2
Fill In The Application
Provide applicant, owner, property, and variance-request details; prepare the required written statements and supporting materials.
- 3
Book An Online Notary
Arrange a commissioned online notary for the escrow agreement acknowledgment, if that agreement is part of your submission.
- 4
Sign On Video
Appear before the notary by video and acknowledge signing the escrow agreement; follow the notary's instructions.
- 5
Submit To The City
Submit the completed packet and required materials to Lake Elmo staff by the applicable due date.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Lake Elmo. Look it over, then upload your filled copy to start the notary session.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed online notary will join you on video, verify your government-issued ID, witness your signature, and apply their seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I complete the notary section of the escrow agreement?
- The agreement has acknowledgment blocks for the applicant and owner. Each signer appears before the notary and acknowledges signing the agreement; complete the applicable signer and notary details.
- Do I need to notarize the variance application itself?
- The application signature lines do not show a notary block. The included escrow agreement has acknowledgment blocks for the applicant and owner, so check which signatures apply to your submission.
- Can I sign the escrow agreement with an online notary?
- Minnesota authorizes remote online notarization by a commissioned online notary. Check with the city about its submission requirements for a remotely notarized escrow agreement.
- What supporting materials does the variance packet request?
- The packet calls for written statements, ownership verification, nearby-property address labels, and survey copies with specified site details. City staff may request additional information.
- When should I submit a variance application?
- The packet advises beginning preparations early and submitting by the applicable due date. It says Planning Commission review may not occur until at least one month after submission.