PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
763.706.8156

The Fire Department enforces the City of Columbia Height’s Property Maintenance Code. This code was adopted in 1989 to provide minimum maintenance standards of existing properties in the city.

The goals of the code are to protect the character and stability of residential areas, preserve property values and to correct and prevent housing conditions that adversely affect or are likely to affect the life, safety, general welfare and health of residents.

Long Grass and Weeds.
City Code does not allow the growth of long grass and weeds over 9 inches tall. This includes grass/weeds left along fences and walls after mowing. If a violation is found, a notice will be placed on the property with a follow up inspection date. If the violation is not corrected by the follow up date a contractor, hired by the City, will cut the violation. The property owner will be responsible to repay the City for the cost of the mowing plus administrative charges. After the first violation of a season any future violations found on the property will not get any prior notice, and will be sent to the contractor for cutting. Complaints of long grass and weeds can be made by calling our inspection line at 763-706-8156.

Property Maintenance Inspections:
Single-family homes and non-residential properties are evaluated by Fire Department inspectors on a regular basis. If a violation is found a notice will be placed on the property with a follow up inspection date. If the violation is not corrected by the follow up date a contractor, hired by the City, will correct the violations. The property owner will be responsible to repay the City for the cost of the contractor, plus administrative charges. To make a complaint about the condition of a property please call our inspection line at 763-706-8156.

These items listed below are some of the most common areas that are inspected:

• Address numbers must be present, contrasting colors, visible from streets
• Alley numbers are required if an alley exists adjacent to property, regardless of whether the property has access (a driveway) to the alley.
• Acceptable exterior storage includes items designed to be stored in the yard; BBQ grills, patio furniture, kids toys, neatly stacked fire wood, etc. Ladders may be hung on the outside of sheds or garages.
• Unacceptable exterior storage includes most other items; i.e. indoor furniture, construction materials not currently being used; tools, lawn equipment, car parts, piles of brush etc.
• Scrub growth around foundations is not permitted. Scrub growth is defined as any uncontrolled growth of vegetation, including weeds, bushes and tree saplings. Growth of grass and weeds is not acceptable if longer than 9 inches.
• Unpaved Parking: Vehicles parked on any surface other than asphalt or concrete are a violation. Vehicles include: cars, trucks, motor homes, campers, boats, trailers, snowmobiles, ATVs and all other recreational vehicles. The Fire Department enforces long-term need for asphalt or concrete parking areas, including need for additional parking areas based on actual use. Non-permanent materials such as class 5 or landscape rocks are not acceptable as hard surfaces.

Residential Rental Properties:
All residential rental properties are licensed and inspected annually by the Fire Department. Current licensed rental properties are sent a renewal application 30 to 45 days prior to the license expiration. New rental properties, those that have never been rental or are currently not licensed, shall follow the procedure below to apply for a rental license.

Owners are required to include a Crime Free/Drug Free and Disorderly Use lease addendum to all leases.

Owners that have two or more licenses revoked will be ineligible to hold or have an interest in a rental license for five years.

Apply for a Rental License

• Download a Rental Property License Application;
• Call the Fire Department Inspection Office to get the fee owed for the rental license, the fee will include, license fee, pro-rated fee if applicable, building inspection fee;
• Write a check, to the City of Columbia Heights for the amount;
• Call the Building Department Inspection Office to set up an inspection of the interior and the exterior of the rental property. 763 706-3678
• Mail the completed & signed License Application and payment to;
  
   Columbia Heights Fire Dept
   ATTN: Inspection Office
   825 41st Ave N.E.
   Columbia Heights, MN 55421

2010 Rental License Fees
The fee structure listed below will effective Febraury 1, 2009. New rental properties (properties that have never been or are currently not licensed rental property) are charged a one-time $160 building inspection fee and depending on when the license is applied for, a pro-rated license fee, in addition to the annual licensing fee below.

• 1 - 3 Units - $150 per building.
• 4 Unit Building - $160 per building.
• 5 - 8 Units - $50 per building plus $23 per unit.
• 11 – 20 Units - $50 per building plus $18 per unit.
• Over 30 Units - $50 per building plus $12 per unit.

Rental License Transfer Fee – This fee is charged when a rental license is transferred from one owner to another. Call the Inspection Office and request a Transfer Application, the fee is $25.00.

All rental property licenses are good for a one-year period. Call the Fire Department Inspection Office at 760 706-8156 if you have any questions.

A copy of the Property Maintenance Code can be obtained electronically here.