Community Development - Code Enforcement

• What is the purpose of Code Enforcement?

  Code Enforcement Program enforces City Codes and adopted City Policies striving to enhance the health, safety and aesthetics of the City of Prior Lake with the goal of seeking voluntary compliance.

• What is considered a right of way obstruction?

  Plants, materials, equipment, structures, vehicles, etc. may not block the use of any public street, trail, alleyway or sidewalk. This includes basketball standards, skateboard ramps, etc. Trees/bushes must be maintained twelve (12') feet above a public street, trail, alleyway or above the sidewalk. Other plant materials should not block or obstruct any portion of the public sidewalk.

  The property owner also is responsible to ensure that any street signs, street lights, traffic control or directional sign that abuts their property is not obstructed from view by any plant, material, equipment, structure, vehicle, etc.

• My neighbor's grass is knee high - is this a violation?

  Owners and occupants of property shall not permit overgrown grass or weeds to a height exceeding twelve (12) inches on the property.

• Where can I park my vehicles on my property?

  Only currently licensed, registered, or operable vehicles can be parked on an approved driveway. All other vehicles on the property are required to be housed within a lawfully erected building.

  An approved driveway shall be surfaced with bituminous, pavers or concrete. No vehicle shall be stored, displayed, parked or allowed in any of the required yard, stone class 5, or landscaped areas.

• My neighbor has boards, tires and other junk piled in their yard - is this a violation?

  Solid waste, garbage, trash, and rubbish is not allowed to be piled up on the property. Solid waste is to be stored in a trash receptacle with a lid and removed from the premises on a regular basis. An excessive amount of solid waste is a public nuisance. Solid waste is not to be stored in open truck beds or in trailers. Except for play equipment, garden equipment, patio furniture, and trampolines all other materials and equipment shall be stored within a structure or removed from the property.

• How long do I have to shovel my sidewalk when it snows?

  All snow and ice on public sidewalks must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours after a snowfall discontinues. Do not shovel, blow or plow the snow onto the street or across a city street.

• What is the Code Enforcement procedure?

  When a code violation is reported, the Code Enforcement Officer opens a complaint and works towards verifying and resolving the violation through a process of education, inspection and notices. On average, 99% of code violations are resolved voluntarily through the notice process. Continued violations are followed by progressive enforcement.
  
  Each violation has its own set of enforcement procedures; however, the process generally follows this sequence:

  1. Complaint received
  2. Inspection conducted
  3. Notice left at residence or sent to violator allowing time for correction
  4. Re-inspections conducted
  5. Citations issued if violation is not corrected
  6. Abate (violation removed by City contractor) and lien

• If I report a Code Violation on my neighbor will they know I complained?

  You name, address, email and phone number are classified as confidential data by MN State Law. If the case proceeds to court, the data may be discoverable upon a judge's ruling to release the data.

  The data you supply for this complaint will be used for substantiating the complaint, purposes of investigation and if necessary, to pursue legal action.

• How do I make a Code Violation complaint?

  Possible code enforcement violations may be submitted for investigation by a member of city staff, citizens or business owners. Potential violations may be submitted directly to the Code Enforcement Officer via the "Report a Code Violation" button on this page, by submitting a complaint in person at City Hall, or by phone.

  The reporting party shall provide their name, address, and contact information in order to property process and investigate the complaint. Reporting parties will be notified of the outcome of the complaint, if requested.

  The City of Prior Lake has limited capacity to investigate Code Enforcement complaints. City staff strives to inspect every complaint received; however, due to limited staffing and to promote responsible use of government resources and staff time, City staff reserves the right and, in most cases, will not inspect or address vague complaints, retaliatory complaints, excessive complaints from one individual, or multiple property complaints from anonymous sources.

• There is a new house being built on our street. What are the hours they can be working making noise?

  Equipment and construction activity hours on public and private property are 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., Mondays through Saturdays, and between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Sundays and legal holidays. This includes, but is not limited to: noise from power tools, equipment, vehicles and other construction activities.

• What are the hours that a homeowner can operate landscaping maintenance equipment?

  The use of power lawn or landscape maintenance equipment including, but not limited to: lawn mowers, hedge clippers, grass/weed trimmers, garden tillers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, or wood chippers by individual homeowners or occupants is permitted between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M., Mondays through Saturdays, and between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Sundays and legal holidays.