Source: https://mtniron.com/chapter-number-96-nuisances/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 01:58:23+00:00

Document:
CURRENT SERVICE. Shall mean one or more of the following: snow, ice, or rubbish removal from sidewalks; weed elimination from street grass plots adjacent to sidewalks or from private property; removal or elimination of public health or safety hazards from private property, excluding any hazardous building included in M.S. §§ 463.15 through 463.26 as they may amended from time to time; installation or repair of water service lines; street sprinkling, street flushing, light street oiling, or other dust treatment of streets; repair of sidewalks and alleys; trimming and care of trees and removal of unsound and insect-infected trees from the public streets or private property; and the operation of a street lighting system.
(2) Removal by city. The City Administrator or other person designated by the City Council may cause removal from all public sidewalks all snow, ice, dirt and rubbish as soon as possible beginning 24 hours after any matter has been deposited thereon or after the snow has ceased to fall. The City Administrator or other designated person shall keep a record showing the cost of removal adjacent to each separate lot and parcel.
(C) Public health and safety hazards. When the city removes or eliminates public health or safety hazards from private property under the following provisions of this chapter, the administrative officer responsible for doing the work shall keep a record of the cost of the removal or elimination against each parcel of property affected and annually deliver that information to the City Administrator.
(D) Installation and repair of water service lines. Whenever the city installs or repairs water service lines serving private property under Chapter 51 of this code, the City Administrator shall keep a record of the total cost of the installation or repair against the property.
(1) Duty of owner. The owner of any property within the city abutting a public sidewalk or alley shall keep the sidewalk or alley in repair and safe for pedestrians. Repairs shall be made in accordance with the standard specifications approved by the City Council and on file in the office of the City Administrator.
(2) Inspections; notice. The City Council or its designee shall make inspections as are necessary to determine that public sidewalks and alleys within the city are kept in repair and safe for pedestrians or vehicles. If it is found that any sidewalk or alley abutting on private property is unsafe and in need of repairs, the City Council shall cause a notice to be served, by registered or certified mail or by personal service, upon the record owner of the property, ordering the owner to have the sidewalk or alley repaired and made safe within 30 days and stating that if the owner fails to do so, the city will do so and that the expense thereof must be paid by the owner, and if unpaid it will be made a special assessment against the property concerned.
(3) Repair by city. If the sidewalk or alley is not repaired within 30 days after receipt of the notice, the City Administrator shall report the facts to the City Council and the City Council shall by resolution order the work done by contract in accordance with law. The City Administrator shall keep a record of the total cost of the repair attributable to each lot or parcel of property.
(F) Personal liability. The owner of property on which or adjacent to which a current service has been performed shall be personally liable for the cost of the service. As soon as the service has been completed and the cost determined, the City Administrator, or other designated official, shall prepare a bill and mail it to the owner and thereupon the amount shall be immediately due and payable at the office of the City Administrator.
(G) Damage to public property. Any person driving any vehicle, equipment, object or contrivance upon any street, road, highway or structure shall be liable for all damages which the surface or structure thereof may sustain as a result of any illegal operation, or driving or moving of the vehicle, equipment or object or contrivance; or as a result of operating, driving or moving any vehicle, equipment, object or contrivance weighing in excess of the maximum weight permitted by statute or this code. When the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, equipment, object or contrivance, but is operating, driving or moving it with the express or implied permission of the owner, then the owner and the driver shall be jointly and severally liable for any such damage. Any person who willfully acts or fails to exercise due care and by that act damages any public property shall be liable for the amount thereof, which amount shall be collectable by action or as a lien under M.S. § 514.67, as it may be amended from time to time.
(H) Assessment. On or before September 1 of each year, the City Administrator shall list the total unpaid charges for each type of current service and charges under this section against each separate lot or parcel to which they are attributable under this section. The City Council may then spread the charges against property benefitted as a special assessment under the authority of M.S. § 429.101 as it may be amended from time to time and other pertinent statutes for certification to the County Auditor and collection along with current taxes the following year or in annual installments, not exceeding ten, as the City Council may determine in each case.
(C) Is guilty of any other act or omission declared by law or §§ 96.16, 96.17 or 96.18, or any other part of this code to be a public nuisance and for which no sentence is specifically provided.
96.16 PUBLIC NUISANCES AFFECTING HEALTH.
96.17 PUBLIC NUISANCES AFFECTING MORALS AND DECENCY.
96.18 PUBLIC NUISANCES AFFECTING PEACE AND SAFETY.
(D) All obnoxious noises in violation of Minn. Rules Chapter 7030, as they may be amended from time to time which are hereby incorporated by reference into this code.
(E) The discharging of the exhaust or permitting the discharging of the exhaust of any stationary internal combustion engine, motor boat, motor vehicle, motorcycle, all terrain vehicle, snowmobile or any recreational device except through a muffler or other device that effectively prevents loud or explosive noises therefrom and complies with all applicable state laws and regulations.
(F) The using or operation or permitting the using or operation of any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, paging system, machine or other device for producing or reproduction of sound in a distinctly and loudly audible manner so as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of any person nearby. Operation of any device referred to above between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in a manner so as to be plainly audible at the property line of the structure or building in which it is located, or at a distance of 50 feet if the source is located outside a structure or building shall be prima facie evidence of violation of this section.
(G) No person shall participate in any party or other gathering of people giving rise to noise, unreasonably disturbing the peace, quiet, or repose of another person. When a police officer determines that a gathering is creating such a noise disturbance, the officer may order all persons present, other than the owner or tenant of the premises where the disturbance is occurring, to disperse immediately. No person shall refuse to leave after being ordered by a police officer to do so. Every owner or tenant of such premises who has knowledge of the disturbance shall make every reasonable effort to see that the disturbance is stopped.
(a) General prohibition. No person shall make or cause to be made any distinctly and loudly audible noise that unreasonably annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, safety, or welfare of any person or precludes their enjoyment of property or affects their property’s value. This general prohibition is not limited by the specific restrictions of this section.
(W) Reflected glare or light from private exterior lighting exceeding 0.5 footcandles as measured on the property line of the property where the lighting is located when abutting any residential parcel, and one footcandle when abutting any commercial or industrial parcel.
96.19 NUISANCE PARKING AND STORAGE.
(A) Declaration of nuisance. The outside parking and storage on residentially-zoned property of large numbers of vehicles and vehicles, materials, supplies or equipment not customarily used for residential purposes in violation of the requirements set forth below is declared to be a public nuisance because it (a) obstructs views on streets and private property, (b) creates cluttered and otherwise unsightly areas, (c) prevents the full use of residential streets for residential parking, (d) introduces commercial advertising signs into areas where commercial advertising signs are otherwise prohibited, (e) decreases adjoining landowners’ and occupants’ enjoyment of their property and neighborhood, and (f) otherwise adversely affects property values and neighborhood patterns.
(4) These provisions are in addition to any provisions provided for in Section 154 of the Mountain Iron City Code.
(A) It shall be unlawful to keep, park, store or abandon any motor vehicle which is not in operating condition, partially dismantled, used for repair of parts or as a source of repair or replacement parts for other vehicles, kept for scrapping, dismantling or salvage of any kind, or which is not properly licensed for operation with the state, pursuant to M.S. § 168B.011, Subd. 3, as it may be amended from time to time.
(D) These provisions are in addition to any provisions provided for in Section 154 of the Mountain Iron City Code.
96.21 BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND APPEARANCE.
(A) Declaration of nuisance. Buildings, fences and other structures that have been so poorly maintained that their physical condition and appearance detract from the surrounding neighborhood are declared to be public nuisances because they (a) are unsightly, (b) decrease adjoining landowners and occupants’ enjoyment of their property and neighborhood, and (c) adversely affect property values and neighborhood patterns.
96.22 DUTIES OF CITY OFFICERS.
The Police Department or Sheriff, if the city has at the time no Police Department, shall enforce the provisions relating to nuisances. Any peace officer shall have the power to inspect private premises and take all reasonable precautions to prevent the commission and maintenance of public nuisances. Except in emergency situations of imminent danger to human life and safety, no police officer shall enter private property for the purpose of inspecting or preventing public nuisances without the permission of the owner, resident or other person in control of the property, unless the officer has obtained a warrant or order from a court of competent jurisdiction authorizing the entry.
(1) Notice of violation. Written notice of violation shall be served by a peace officer on the owner of record or occupant of the premises either in person or by certified or registered mail. If the premises is not occupied, the owner of record is unknown, or the owner of record or occupant refuses to accept notice of violation, notice of violation shall be served by posting it on the premises.
(3) Notice of City Council order. Except for those cases determined by the city to require summary enforcement, written notice of any City Council order shall be made as provided in M.S. § 463.17 (Hazardous and Substandard Building Act), as it may be amended from time to time.
(4) Notice of motion for summary enforcement. Written notice of any motion for summary enforcement shall be made as provided for in M.S. § 463.17 (Hazardous and Substandard Building Act), as it may be amended from time to time.
(B) Procedure. Whenever a peace officer determines that a public nuisance is being maintained or exists on the premises in the city, the officer shall notify in writing the owner of record or occupant of the premises of such fact and order that the nuisance be terminated or abated. The notice of violation shall specify the steps to be taken to abate the nuisance and the time within which the nuisance is to be abated. If the notice of violation is not complied with within the time specified, the officer shall report that fact forthwith to the City Council. Thereafter, the City Council may, after notice to the owner or occupant and an opportunity to be heard, determine that the condition identified in the notice of violation is a nuisance and further order that if the nuisance is not abated within the time prescribed by the City Council, the city may seek injunctive relief by serving a copy of the City Council order and notice of motion for summary enforcement.
(C) Emergency procedure; summary enforcement. In cases of emergency, where delay in abatement required to complete the notice and procedure requirements set forth in divisions (A) and (B) of this section will permit a continuing nuisance to unreasonably endanger public health safety or welfare, the City Council may order summary enforcement and abate the nuisance. To proceed with summary enforcement, the officer shall determine that a public nuisance exists or is being maintained on premises in the city and that delay in abatement of the nuisance will unreasonably endanger public health, safety or welfare. The officer shall notify in writing the occupant or owner of the premises of the nature of the nuisance and of the city’s intention to seek summary enforcement and the time and place of the City Council meeting to consider the question of summary enforcement. The City Council shall determine whether or not the condition identified in the notice to the owner or occupant is a nuisance, whether public health, safety or welfare will be unreasonably endangered by delay in abatement required to complete the procedure set forth in division (A) of this section, and may order that the nuisance be immediately terminated or abated. If the nuisance is not immediately terminated or abated, the City Council may order summary enforcement and abate the nuisance.
(A) Personal liability. The owner of premises on which a nuisance has been abated by the city shall be personally liable for the cost to the city of the abatement, including administrative costs. As soon as the work has been completed and the cost determined, the City Administrator or other official shall prepare a bill for the cost and mail it to the owner. Thereupon the amount shall be immediately due and payable at the office of the City Administrator.
(B) Assessment. After notice and hearing as provided in M.S. § 429.061, as it may be amended from time to time, if the nuisance is a public health or safety hazard on private property, the accumulation of snow and ice on public sidewalks, the growth of weeds on private property or outside the traveled portion of streets, or unsound or insect-infected trees, the City Administrator shall, on or before September 1 next following abatement of the nuisance, list the total unpaid charges along with all other the charges as well as other charges for current services to be assessed under M.S. § 429.101 against each separate lot or parcel to which the charges are attributable. The City Council may then spread the charges against the property under that statute and other pertinent statutes for certification to the County Auditor and collection along with current taxes the following year or in annual installments, not exceeding ten, as the City Council may determine in each case.
This subchapter shall be in addition to any state statute or county ordinance presently in effect, subsequently added, amended or repealed.
DESTRUCTION ORDER. The notice served by the City Council or designated city official, in cases of appeal, on the property owner of the ordinance violation.
(4) Any weeds, grass, or plants, other than trees, bushes, flowers, or other ornamental plants, growing to a height exceeding 12 inches.
(5) Rank vegetation includes the uncontrolled, uncultivated growth of annuals and perennial plants.
(6) The term WEEDS does not include shrubs, trees, cultivated plants or crops.
96.38 OWNERS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRIMMING, REMOVAL AND THE LIKE.
All property owners shall be responsible for the removal, cutting, or disposal and elimination of weeds, grasses and rank vegetation or other uncontrolled plant growth on their property, which at the time of notice, is in excess of 12 inches in height.
Any person, including the city, who believes there is property located within the corporate limits of the city which has growing plant matter in violation of this subchapter shall make a written complaint signed, dated and filed with the City Administrator. If the city makes the complaint, an employee, officer or Council Member of the city shall file the complaint in all respects as set out above.
(A) Upon receiving notice of the probable existence of weeds in violation of this subchapter, a person designated by the City Council shall make an inspection and prepare a written report to the City Council regarding the condition. The City Council, upon concluding that there is a probable belief that this subchapter has been violated, shall forward written notification in the form of a “Destruction Order” to the property owner or the person occupying the property as that information is contained within the records of the City Administrator or any other city agency. The notice shall be served in writing by certified mail. The notice shall provide that within seven regular business days after the receipt of the notice that the designated violation shall be removed by the property owner or person occupying the property.
(B) (1) All notices are to be in writing and all filings are to be with the City Administrator.
(2) Certified mailing to the City Administrator or others is deemed filed on the date of posting to the United States Postal Service.
(A) The property owner may appeal by filing written notice of objections with the City Council within 48 hours of the notice, excluding weekends and holidays, if the property owner contests the finding of the City Council. It is the property owner’s responsibility to demonstrate that the matter in question is shrubs, trees, cultivated plants or crops or is not otherwise in violation of this subchapter, and should not be subject to destruction under the subchapter.
In the event that the property owner shall fail to comply with the “Destruction Order” within seven regular business days and has not filed a notice within 48 hours to the City Administrator of an intent to appeal, the City Council may employ the services of city employees or outside contractors and remove the weeds to conform to this subchapter by all lawful means.
(B) The property owner is responsible for all collection costs associated with weed destruction, including but not limited to court costs, attorney’s fees and interest on any unpaid amounts incurred by the city. If the city uses municipal employees, it shall set and assign an appropriate per hour rate for employees, equipment, supplies and chemicals which may be used.
(C) All sums payable by the property owner are to be paid to the City Administrator and to be deposited in a general fund as compensation for expenses and costs incurred by the city.
(D) All sums payable by the property owner may be collected as a special assessment as provided by M.S. § 429.101, as it may be amended from time to time.
RECREATIONAL FIRE. A fire set with approved starter fuel no more than three feet in height, contained within the border of a “recreational fire site” using dry, clean wood; producing little detectable smoke, odor or soot beyond the property line; conducted with an adult tending the fire at all times; for recreational, ceremonial, food preparation for social purposes; extinguished completely before quitting the occasion; and respecting weather conditions, neighbors, burning bans, and air quality so that nuisance, health or safety hazards will not be created. No more than one recreational fire is allowed on any property at one time.
RECREATIONAL FIRE SITE. An area of no more than a three foot diameter circle (measured from the inside of the fire ring or border); completely surrounded by non-combustible and non-smoke or odor producing material, either of natural rock, cement, brick, tile or blocks or ferrous metal only an which area is depressed below ground, on the ground, or on a raised bed. Included are permanent outdoor wood burning fireplaces. Burning barrels are not a “recreation fire site” as defined herein. Recreational fire sites shall not be located closer than 25 feet to any structure.
WOOD. Dry, clean fuel only such as twigs, branches, limbs, “presto logs,” charcoal, cord wood or untreated dimensional lumber. The term does not include wood that is green with leaves or needles, rotten, wet, oil soaked, or treated with paint, glue or preservatives. Clean pallets may be used for recreational fires when cut into three foot lengths.
96.62 PERMIT REQUIRED FOR OPEN BURNING.
No person shall start or allow any open burning on any property in the city without first having obtained an open burn permit, except that a permit is not required for any fire which is a recreational fire as defined in § 96.60.
96.63 PURPOSES ALLOWED FOR OPEN BURNING.
(4) Disposal of diseased trees generated on site, diseased or infected nursery stock, diseased bee hives.
96.64 PERMIT APPLICATION FOR OPEN BURNING; PERMIT FEES.
(B) An open burning permit shall require the payment of a fee. Permit fees shall be in the amount established by resolution of the City Council, as it may be amended from time to time.
96.65 PERMIT PROCESS FOR OPEN BURNING.
Upon receipt of the completed open burning permit application and permit fee, the Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, or Assistant Fire Marshals shall schedule a preliminary site inspection to locate the proposed burn site, note special conditions, and set dates and time of permitted burn and review fire safety considerations.
96.67 REVOCATION OF OPEN BURNING PERMIT.
96.68 DENIAL OF OPEN BURNING PERMIT.
96.69 BURNING BAN OR AIR QUALITY ALERT.
96.70 RULES AND LAWS ADOPTED BY REFERENCE.
The provisions of M.S. §§ 88.16 to 88.22, as these statutes may be amended from time to time, are hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this subchapter as if fully set forth at this point.

References: § 514
 § 429
 § 168
 § 463
 § 463
 § 429
 § 429
 § 429
 § 96