HomeMy WebLinkAbout#07 - Property Maintenance Code Update MEMO
To: Kristina Handt
From: Scott Qualle, Interim Building Official
Date: June 22, 2020
Re: Property Maintenance Code
On 5/7/2013, the City Council approved ordinance 08-075, adopting the 2006 International Property
Maintenance Code (IPMC) as the Property Maintenance Code for the City. Because tall grass/weeds
were addressed in the nuisance code, that section was not completed at the time of adoption
(presumably to avoid future conflicts in two different codes.
On the 18th of July, 2017, the City Council approved ordinance 08-181, adopting the 2012 IPMC as the
2017 Lake Elmo Property Maintenance Code. In the staff memo, it was explained that section 302.4
(Weeds) had been previously omitted and was being added back into the code. However, no
amendment was provided to complete the language set forth in the code. Section 302.4 states: “All
premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of
[jurisdiction to insert height in inches]. All noxious weeds are prohibited. . . .”
The insertions of seasonal dates for screens and heating requirements from the previous ordinance
should remain, but a number should be inserted into the code for the above reference. Grass or weed
growth in excess of 8” is the height that is commonly used in many surrounding communities. I also
recommend that the words “excluding agricultural vegetation” be added after the 8”, as the City of Lake
Elmo includes significant agriculture activities.
The statement in Section 302.4 of the IPMC with this recommended amendment would now read: “All
premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 8”,
excluding agricultural vegetation. All noxious weeds are prohibited. . . .”
Because there is currently no code section to address weed/grass height, City Staff is hampered in its
ability to address complaints from neighbors regarding unkept lawns.