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1. How Do I File A Complaint?

1. Complete the Code Enforcement Complaint Form (PDF) available here or at City Hall. Be sure to include your name and signature and follow instructions on the electronic form.
2.  Alternately, you may download a print form, complete it and return to City Hall, attention Code Enforcement. 
3.  Email the completed  paper form to City Hall or mail the complete paper form to:

City Hall
Attn: Code Enforcement
218 North Meridian Street
P.O. Box 129
Belle Plaine, MN 56011

2. What Happens If My Property Is In Violation Of City Code?

If a complaint is reported regarding a potential violation on your property, the Code Enforcement Official will come to your property to inspect for the alleged violation. If a violation is found, you will be notified that your property is noncompliant with City Code and given a 10 day correction period to bring your property into compliance. The Code Enforcement Official will explain what the violation is and how you can correct it. 

After the correction period has ended, the Code Enforcement Official will re-inspect your property to confirm the violation has been corrected and your property if compliant with City Code.

Please remember, the goal with code enforcement is to work with property owners to ensure City Code violations get resolved voluntarily and quickly.

 If you are unsure of how to bring your property into compliance with City Code or you think you may need additional time to correct a violation, communicate your concerns and questions with the Code Enforcement Official.

3. What Happens When A Property Owner Does Not Bring Their Property Into Compliance With City Code?

When a property owner fails to correct a City Code violation after being notified by the City and does not communicate the reason for noncompliance with the Code Enforcement Official, the City will move forward with disciplinary action. The disciplinary action depends on the violation. Typically, this involves issuing a citation to the property owner. 

Violations of City Code are misdemeanor offences, which may carry a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine. After the City issues a citation, the property owner will be provided with a court date. The Scott County judicial system will impose disciplinary action after a citation has been issued.

When a property owner has tall grass or weeds (12 inches) on their property and fails to mow after being notified by the City and given 10 days to do so. The City will have the tall grass or weeds on the property mowed and bill the property owner at a cost of $175 per lot to cover the costs of mowing.

4. How Can I Keep My Property In Compliance With City Code?

Review our guide to code compliance for detailed information.  Following are common subjects of code enforcement. 

Tall Grass or Weeds

Keep your lawn mowed regularly and remove weeds from your property. Grass and weeds in excess of 8" (inches) in height must be mowed and maintained throughout the growing season. Control volunteer brush and trees to prevent the rank growth of vegetation on your property.

Improper Vehicle Parking

Do not leave unlicensed and/or inoperable vehicles parked outside on your property. Keep automobiles parked on paved surfaces and do not allow semi tractors or other commercial vehicles to be parked on your property.

Residential Area Parking

On and off-street parking facilities accessory to residential uses can only be used for the parking of licensed and operable passenger automobile, no more than one truck not to exceed gross capacity of nine thousand (9,000) pounds, and recreational vehicles and equipment. A permit is needed for a parking pad or parking lot. 

All areas intended to be utilized for parking space and driveways need to be surfaced with materials suitable to control dust and drainage. Driveways and parking stalls are to be surfaced with asphalt or concrete. Plans for surfacing and drainage of driveways and parking stalls for five or more vehicles must be submitted to the City Engineer for his/her review and the final drainage plan shall be subject to his/her written approval.

Improper Outside Storage

Keep items not intended for outdoor use, stored indoors. If you need to place such items outside, be sure they are not left there permanently. All outside storage of materials and equipment for residential uses shall be stored within a building or fully screened so as not to be visible from adjoining properties.

Store your trash in appropriate enclosed garbage bins and keep them out of your front yard on non pick-up days. Do not allow rubbish to be stored or disposed of outdoors on your property.

Litter on Private Property

It is unlawful for any person to throw, deposit, maintain, or store outside any litter on any private property within the City, whether owned by such person or not, and the owner and the person in control of any such private property shall at all times maintain the premises free of litter.