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<br />INFORMATIONMEMO <br />Public Nuisances <br /> <br />Defines public and private nuisances, giving common examples such as weeds, smoke, noise, <br />animals and more. Examines tools cities can use to effectively and fairly prevent nuisances or <br />eliminate nuisance conditions when they occur. Evaluates complaint versus inspection enforcement <br />options. <br />I. Considering community nuisances <br />RELEVANT LINKS: <br /> <br />Nuisances impact a community’s livability. Minnesota cities provide for <br />and protect the general welfare of its residents. This can include the <br />prevention or abatement of various nuisance activities. In addition, state <br />statutes provide cities the specific authority to abate nuisances within their <br />jurisdictions. <br /> <br />Although it may seem relatively simple in theory, nuisance enforcement is <br />much more difficult in practice. When adopting local regulations, cities <br />need to consider many things, such as: <br /> <br /> Is the conduct or activity really a nuisance? <br /> Does that type of activity negatively impact the entire community or <br />only certain individuals? <br /> Will we actively investigate nuisance conditions, or will we rely on <br />resident complaints? <br /> How will we address an individual’s rights when the city investigates <br />or removes nuisance conditions? <br /> What resources do we have (or need) to enforce our ordinances? <br />Enforcement can be difficult, even in the most obvious situations. The <br />“nuisance” owner may honestly have no idea that the use of his or her <br />property is negatively impacting the community. Nuisance owners often <br />have their own questions, such as: <br /> <br /> Why am I required to shovel the sidewalk in front of my property? <br /> Who are you to tell me how loud I can play my music? <br /> Why should my neighbors care how many cars I park on my property? <br /> Don’t you need a warrant to enter my property? <br /> These are questions city officials should be prepared to answer. <br />This material is provided as general information and is not a substitute for legal advice. Consult your attorney for advice concerning specific situations. <br />145 University Ave. West www.lmc.org 4/16/2020 <br />Saint Paul, MN 55103-2044 (651) 281-1200 or (800) 925-1122 © 2020 All Rights Reserved <br /> <br />