Moving companies in Forest Lake, MN.

Local services and rules

Moving to Forest Lake: who to call and what the city asks.

Forest Lake is a city in Washington County, Minnesota. Sprinkling is restricted year-round on city-metered water: even-numbered addresses sprinkle on even calendar days and odd-numbered addresses on odd days. Forest Lake Airport, a municipal airport for private aircraft, sits about five miles from downtown.

Spring weight restrictions on city streets

Weight restrictions on city streets take effect during the spring thaw season, usually March 1 to May 15 depending on the weather. Large trucks are not allowed on restricted streets during the spring thaw season.

Washington County regulates county roads in Forest Lake, and the State of Minnesota regulates highways.

City water, the curb stop and the utility bill

Most residents receive city water, while some Forest Lake properties use private wells instead of the municipal system. Responsibility for the water service valve, also called the curb stop, is split between the city and the homeowner or business.

Utility bills can be paid by phone at 855-718-1475 with the account number ready.

Sewer treatment and sump pump discharge

Sewer flows from Forest Lake to St. Paul for treatment before release into the Mississippi.

Sump pumps must discharge outside the house to the yard or a drain way. They may not discharge into the basement sanitary sewer drain or the laundry tub.

Republic Services collection and the North Environmental Center

Republic Services provides residential refuse and recycling service in Forest Lake. Waste is collected weekly and recycling every other week. Containers go within 5 feet of the curb or roadside by 6:30 a.m. on collection day.

Yard waste pickup is a subscription service for Forest Lake residents from April through November. Residents can also drop off yard waste at the Washington County North Environmental Center.

The North Environmental Center, at 6065 Headwaters Parkway in Forest Lake, takes household hazardous waste, electronics and recyclables from residents.

Forest Lake Area Schools and the Online Welcome Center

Elementary schools (grades K-5) are assigned by home address, and Forest Lake Area Schools offers an address lookup for finding the school. Grades 6 and up are served by secondary schools that draw from the entire Forest Lake Area Schools district.

New families enroll students through the Online Welcome Center on the district website.

Transit Link, Hardwood Creek Library and county services

Public transportation is not owned or operated by the city; it relies on nonprofit and other governmental agencies, including Transit Link dial-a-ride service.

Hardwood Creek Library, at 19955 Forest Road North in Forest Lake, is a Washington County Library location. Anyone who lives in or pays property taxes in Washington County is eligible for a library card.

Washington County handles election questions for Forest Lake voters. Residents are not required to license dogs with the city, and rental houses are not licensed by the city.