Government Center building and plaza rules

The Government Center is a public building that accommodates a significant amount of public business.

The building's north plaza and south plaza are used by members of the public every day. These locations are defined as public space and are open for individuals to use, gather or demonstrate.

The county has adopted rules related to use of the Government Center building and plazas to ensure safety and well-being of all visitors and staff.

Holiday hours at county buildings

Use of space by the public in county facilities (PDF, 1MB)

What is not allowed on county property

Unless otherwise noted:

• Conduct that violates Minneapolis city ordinance or state law
• Littering, smoking, use of alcohol or other controlled substances, camping or sleeping
• Tents, tarps, tables or any other structures
• Affixing, draping, or projecting posters, banners, or visual props on or over structures
• Entering county fountains or pools
• Generators, portable toilets, motor vehicles or trailers
• Storing personal property, items, or possessions, or leaving these unattended
• Gas, propane and charcoal grills; other open-flame devices; fires; and flammable and explosive fuel
• Defacing any county-owned property, including but not limited to writing or drawing with chalk or other materials
• Public art — defined as work in any media that is planned and executed with the specific intention of being sited or staged in the public domain, with the specific intention of being accessible to all — unless it is placed exclusively through the Facility Services and Communications departments
• Interfering with county business, employees, clients or visitors, or obstructing the free flow of traffic in any way
• Any and all other conduct, equipment or materials that are hazardous to public safety or results in, or could result in, damage to county property
• Per Minnesota Supreme Court ruling, photography in any courtroom or area where courtrooms are located without permission from the court
• Parking lots, parking ramps, vacant lots, or garages are not authorized for use as staging areas, processing locations, or operations bases for civil immigration enforcement.
• Face coverings intended to conceal a person's identity in county spaces (including law enforcement) per county board resolution 26-0091 and Minnesota Statute 609.735.

Further information related to Hennepin County’s rules related to the plazas can be found in the use of space by the Use of Space by the Public in County Facilities (PDF, 1MB) policy and Resolution 11-049R1 (PDF, 1MB) passed by the Hennepin County Board on November 8, 2011.