Code Enforcement Process

  • The City’s Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) works Monday through Friday.
  • Code Enforcement is largely done on a complaint basis.
  • Complaints may be submitted via the online complaint form, email, regular mail, in-person at City Hall, or by calling the Inspections Department at 651-554-3216.
  • When complaints are received, the CEO conducts an inspection to verify the complaint and may take pictures to document property conditions.
  • A door hanger may be left at the property noting any violations to inform the resident that Code Enforcement was at the property and that a notice will soon be sent in the mail.
  • A written First Notice is sent to the property owner informing them of the City code violation(s) on their property. This will include a compliance date to resolve the violation(s).
  • For common violations such as long grass or exterior storage, 5 to 10 days may be given to address the violation(s). For required maintenance and repairs, longer time may be given at the discretion of the CEO.
  • A follow-up inspection is conducted on or after the compliance date and if the violation(s) have been resolved, the issue is closed. If the violation(s) have not been resolved, the City will either have the violation abated at the property owner’s expense (typically for long grass, garbage or discarded furniture) or mail a second notice to the property owner with a new compliance date and a $50.00 re-inspection fee is charged against the property. This notice may also include any additional violation(s) that have appeared. The second notice informs the property owner that if the violation(s) are not addressed by a new compliance date, an administrative citation may be issued which includes a fine of $200. Information about the administrative citation process (PDF)will be included.  Re-inspection fees will also be charged.
  • A property owner may contest an administrative citation with the City Clerk within 10 calendar days of issuance at which time a hearing will be scheduled before an Administrative Law Judge.

Because of notice requirements, a typical code enforcement violation may take 2 to 3 weeks to be resolved.