The city staff and council have been reviewing the concept of a Property Maintenance Code and Rental Housing Code for more than a year and has had several presentations and was provided a complete copy of the code with annotations on how it would be enforced. 

Many cities in Minnesota have already adopted a property maintenance code including but not limited to: Coon Rapids, Burnsville, Monticello, Crookston, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Northfield, Virginia, Brooklyn Center, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Woodbury, Brainerd, New London, Columbia Heights, Waseca, Roseville, Maplewood, Hastings, West St. Paul, Shoreview, Anoka, Duluth, St. Cloud, Richfield, Arden Hills and many more.

The International Property Maintenance Code establishes minimum requirements for the maintenance of existing building through model code regulations that contain clear and specific property maintenance and property improvement provisions.  The code was developed by a broad committee and is modified from time to time and approved by the International Code Council Board that includes the American Institute of Architects and the National Association of Home Builders.  

The International Property Maintenance Code establishes minimum maintenance standards for basic equipment, light, ventilation, heating, sanitation and fire safety.  Responsibility is fixed among owners, operators and occupants for code compliance.  The code provides for the regulation and safe use of existing structures in the interest of the social and economic welfare of the community.

The Code will apply to many types of buildings including commercial structures, parking lots, multifamily and single family homes.  

Typical issues found in many cities include outbuildings and garages that are not structural sound, large amounts of trash in yards, buildings with plumbing or heating that is not working or items like holes in roofs.

Our attorneys have reviewed the International Property Maintenance Code and made modification to ensure that it is in compliance with our current code requirements and the state requirements.

The Code will be effective August 1, 2022.