Before initiating an activity, the Riverway Board strongly encourages landowners to contact the office to determine if a permit is necessary. If a permit is required, an application is sent to the landowner which is completed and returned to the Riverway Board. A site inspection by the Riverway Board Executive Director is then scheduled. If possible, the landowner or his/her representative should be present for the site inspection. The site inspection will determine which aspects of the regulations apply to the activity.

If the site of the proposed activity is located on lands not visible from the river, a general permit may be issued by the Executive Director. If the site of the proposed activity is located on lands visible from the river, the application must be reviewed by the Riverway Board at a regular meeting held the second Thursday of each month. The application is reviewed for compliance with the applicable performance standards. Conditions may be placed on a permit issued by the Riverway Board to insure the activity adheres to the regulations.

The permit process may take as little as one or two days or may take as long as five weeks, depending on when the application is received by the Riverway Board. Therefore, contacting the Riverway Board office ahead of time may help in avoiding delays. The Riverway Board does not charge a fee for any permits. The Executive Director is also available for consultation before an application is formally submitted.