Mound City Code 1005.00
Section 1005 – HAZARDOUS BUILDINGS – SUBSTANDARD BUILDINGS
1005.01 Hazardous Building and Hazardous Excavations. The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Sections 463.15 to 463.251 relating to the definition of terms, abatement, and recovery of City costs in connection with vacant buildings, hazardous buildings, and open excavations, are adopted and made a part of this Section as if set out in full.
1005.05 Substandard Buildings - Condemnation. Whenever the Health Officer, Building Inspector, or the Fire Chief finds that any dwelling, multiple dwelling, or dwelling unit constitutes a hazard to the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants or the public because it lacks maintenance, or is dilapidated, unsanitary, vermin-infested, rodent-infested, or because it lacks the sanitary facilities and equipment required by these ordinances, he or she may condemn such dwelling or dwelling unit as unfit for human habitation.
If any dwelling or any part thereof is occupied by more families than provided by the City Code, or is erected, altered, or occupied contrary to law, such dwelling shall be deemed an unlawful structure, and the Health Officer of the Building Inspector may cause such dwelling to be vacated. It shall be unlawful to again occupy such dwelling until it, or its occupation as the case may be, has been made to conform to the law.
1005.10 Placard of Condemned Substandard Buildings. Any dwelling or dwelling units condemned as "Unfit for Human Habitation" shall be posted with a placard of condemnation by the Health Officer or Building Inspector. The placard shall be posted not sooner than ten (10) days after service of the Notice as provided in Subsection 1005.15 hereof, and shall contain:
(a) The name of the City.
(b) The name of the authorized department having jurisdiction.
(c) The chapter and section of the Code under which it is issued.
(d) Description of the real estate sufficient for identification.
(e) A statement of reason or reasons for condemnation.
(f) A statement of time to correct the conditions, which time shall not be less than five (5) days nor more than twenty (20) days from the posting date, except in cases of emergency.
(g) A statement of the date when occupants must vacate the dwelling or dwelling unit, which date shall be not less than two (2) days nor more than thirty (30) days, except in cases of emergency.
(h) An order that the dwelling or dwelling unit when vacated must remain vacant until the provisions of the order are completed with and the order to vacate is withdrawn.
(i) The date that the placard of condemnation is posted.
(j) A statement of the penalty for defacing or removal of the placard.
1005.15 Service of Notice of Condemnation of Substandard Buildings. Whenever the Health Officer, Building Inspector, or Fire Chief has condemned a dwelling or dwelling unit as unfit for human habitation, the Health Officer or the Building Inspector shall give notice to the owner thereof of such condemnation and placarding of the dwelling or dwelling unit as unfit for human habitation. Such notice shall:
(a) Be in writing;
(b) Include a description of the real estate sufficient for identification;
(c) Include a statement of the reason or reasons why it is being issued;
(d) Include a description of the repairs and improvements required to bring the condemned dwelling or dwelling unit into compliance with the provisions of this Section.
(e) Be served not less than ten (10) days prior to the proposed placard date.
(f) Be served by:
(1) Delivery to the owner personally, or by leaving the notice at the usual place of abode of the owner with a person of suitable age and discretion; or
(2) Be depositing the notice in the United States Post Office, addressed to the owner at his or her last known address, with postage prepaid thereon; or
(3) By posting and keeping posted for twenty-four (24) hours, a copy of said notice in placard form in a conspicuous place on the condemned premises.
1005.20 Vacation of Condemned and Placard Substandard Buildings. Any dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned and placard as unfit for human habitation shall be vacated within a reasonable time as required by the Health Officer or Building Inspector, and it shall be unlawful for any owner or operator to let to any person, for human habitation, said dwelling or dwelling unit; and no person shall occupy any dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned and placard after the date set forth in the placard for condemnation.
1005.25 Condemned Substandard Buildings - No Occupancy Until Defects Eliminated. No dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned and placard as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until a written approval is secured from the Building Inspector or the Health Officer. The Building Inspector or Health Officer shall remove such placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the condemnation and placard action were based have been eliminated.
1005.30 Placard to be Removed Only by Enforcing Officer. No person shall deface or remove the placard from any dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned and placard as unfit for human habitation. Such placard shall only be removed by the Health Officer or the Building Inspector.
1005.35 Reports of Condemnation. The Health Officer, Building Inspector, and Fire Chief shall each furnish notice to the other of condemnations instituted by them pursuant to this Section.