The City Administrator, Building Official, or designee, is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all of the provisions of the Le Sueur City Code and this chapter. For such purposes they shall be known and appointed as enforcement officers having the authority to issue notices of violation, issue orders for occupants to vacate a dwelling unit found to be in violation of the Le Sueur City Code, including this chapter, and order suspension of city services for properties found to be in violation of the Le Sueur City Code.
(A) Owners and occupants of dwelling units that are found to be in violation of the Minnesota State Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code, or the Le Sueur City Code, including any provision of this chapter, shall be issued a notice and order. The notice and order shall contain:
(1) The street address or a legal description sufficient for identification of the premises upon which the building is located;
(2) A statement that the City Administrator, Building Official, or their designee, has found the building to be in violation of the Minnesota State Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code, or the Le Sueur City Code with a brief and concise description of the violation(s);
(3) A statement identifying what steps shall be taken to bring the property into compliance with the Minnesota State Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code, or the Le Sueur City Code;
(4) A statement that the dwelling unit must be vacated within 30 days from the date of the order if the property is not brought into compliance with the Minnesota State Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code, or the Le Sueur City Code; and
(5) Statements advising that if the property is not brought into compliance and/or vacated within 30 days from the date of the notice and order that the City Administrator or designee:
(a) May charge the owner, agent, and/or occupants with a criminal violation;
(b) May suspend or revoke the rental unit license to the property; and
(c) May proceed to cause the necessary work to be done to bring said property into compliance and charge the costs thereof against the property or its owner.
(B) Notice and order may be served by personal service or United States Postal Service to the owner and/or agent as determined by county land records. Occupants may be served by personal service or United States Postal Service to at least one occupant of the dwelling unit. If the owner(s) or occupant(s) refuse personal service or mailed service through the United States Postal Service, the notice and order may be posted on the property.
(C) Right of entry. When it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of the Minnesota State Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code, or the Le Sueur City Code, or when the City Administrator, Building Official, or their designee has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a building or upon a premises a condition which is contrary to or in violation of the Minnesota State Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code, or the Le Sueur City Code, they may enter the building or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by Minnesota State Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code, or the Le Sueur City Code. If such building or premises be unoccupied, they shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the enforcement officer(s) shall resort to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.
(Ord. 549, passed 10-12-2015; Ord. 578, passed 11-26-2018)