Government Center Plaza Rules

The Hennepin County Government Center is a public building that accommodates a significant amount of public business every day.  The Government Center’s North and South public plazas ("plazas") are used by members of the public everyday.  These plazas are defined as public space and are open for individuals to use, gather or demonstrate at any time.  Hennepin County has adopted rules related to use of the plazas and this memorandum provides general guidance about the general public’s use of the plazas.

Building hours

The Government Center is open for business Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.  The skyway level is open Monday through Friday: 6:00 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Sunday: noon-6:00 p.m.

What is not allowed on the Government Center plazas

Unless otherwise noted:

• Conduct that violates Minneapolis city ordinance or state law
• Use of alcohol or other controlled substances
• Littering
• Smoking
• Defacing the plazas or structures on the plazas, including but not limited to, writing words or drawing with chalk or other materials
• Interfering with county business, employees, clients or visitors, or obstructing the free flow of traffic in any way
• Camping
• Putting up tents, tarps, tables or any other structures
• Gas, propane and charcoal grills; other open flame devices; fires; and flammable and explosive fuel
• Generators
• Affixing in any way signs or posters to the plazas or permanent structures on the plazas
• Storing personal property, items or possessions
• Leaving personal items and possessions unattended
• Sleeping
• Treading in the fountain on the North Plaza
• All other conduct, equipment or materials that are hazardous to public safety or result in, or could result in, damage to county property

Further information related to Hennepin County’s rules related to the plazas can be found in the Use of Space by the Public in County Facilities policy and Resolution 11-049R1 passed by the Hennepin County Board on November 8, 2011.