Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 249.40
Abatement of nuisance condition (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
Buildings determined to be a nuisance condition may be rehabilitated or razed by order of the director of regulatory services. (1) Before any action is taken to abate a nuisance condition, except as provided in section 249.25 relating to securing vacant buildings, the director of regulatory services shall examine the building to ascertain whether the nuisance condition should be ordered for rehabilitation or demolition. Among the criteria to be considered are the following: a. The need for neighborhood housing; b. The historic value of the building; c. The impact on the neighborhood and the ability of the neighborhood to attract future residents; d. The capacity of the neighborhood to use the property; e. The zoning and comprehensive plan classifications for the property use; f. The market potential for the property; g. The estimated cost of rehabilitation; h. The severity and the history of neglect; i. The availability of funds for rehabilitation to the owner; j. The structural condition of the building. (2) If the director of regulatory services determines that the building is a nuisance condition, the director of regulatory services shall order the building to be demolished, or rehabilitated. The director may impose any and all conditions deemed appropriate to ensure compliance with the order. (3) The department of regulatory services shall give notice of the director's order to demolish or rehabilitate the building to the owner and other persons shown to have an interest in the building deemed to create a nuisance condition. Proper notice shall be sufficiently given when mailed by certified mail return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the owner to whom the building is registered with the department of regulatory services or, if not registered, to the owner or other persons shown to have an interest in the property as ascertained by the files and records of the register of deeds or registrar of titles in and for Hennepin County. Such notice shall also be given to such persons that the director of regulatory services has actual knowledge of having an interest in the said property. In addition, such notice shall be served by three (3) weeks' published notice in any newspaper of general circulation in the City of Minneapolis as provided for in Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure and by posting such notice at the street entrance to such building. The notice shall state: a. That the director has determined that the building is a nuisance condition as defined by section 249.30 and that the building is to be demolished or rehabilitated. If the director is ordering that the building be rehabilitated, the notice shall state all of the conditions that are to be imposed. b. The specific reasons the building has been determined to constitute a nuisance condition. c. That unless the notice is appealed within twenty-one (21) days of the date the notice was mailed, in the manner provided in section 249.45 , the department of regulatory services will proceed to demolish the building or that the department of regulatory services will impose the conditions of rehabilitation on the property. d. The notice shall describe how an appeal may be filed under section 249.45 . e. The notice shall state that the owner of the property will be responsible for the payment of all costs incurred by the city in razing or rehabilitating the building, as well as an administrative fee of fifteen (15) percent of the cost. The notice shall state that if the costs are unpaid, the costs and the administrative fee shall be levied and collected as a special assessment against the property as provided for under section 227.100 . (4) If no appeal is received within twenty-one (21) days of the notice being mailed, the department of regulatory services may proceed with the director's determination to demolish the building by razing the building, or may proceed with the director's determination to rehabilitate the building by imposing the conditions set forth in the notice. (5) When the owner of a property, that has received a director's order to demolish or rehabilitate the property, intends to sell an interest in the property, the owner must disclosure to the purchaser that a director's order to demolish or rehabilitate the property has been previously issued. (76-Or-102, § 1, 7-9-76; 76-Or-165, § 1, 9-24-76; 78-Or-233, § 4, 11-9-78; 82-Or-256 , § 1, 12-23-82; 85-Or-114 , § 1, 6-4-85; 92-Or-110 , § 4, 9-11-92; 94-Or-123 , § 3, 9-16-94; 2001-Or-054 , § 2, 4-20-01; 2006-Or-059 , § 2, 5-26-06; 2013-Or-165 , § 3, 12-6-13)
Minneapolis Code § 249.40 establishes a process by which the Director of Regulatory Services can order a building found to be a nuisance condition to be either rehabilitated or demolished. Before issuing such an order, the director must evaluate the building against a list of criteria—including neighborhood housing need, historic value, structural condition, and rehabilitation costs—to determine the appropriate course of action. Affected owners and interested parties must receive formal notice, including by certified mail and published notice, and have 21 days to appeal the order under § 249.45. If the city ultimately carries out demolition or rehabilitation, the property owner is responsible for all associated costs plus a 15% administrative fee, which can be levied as a special assessment against the property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Minneapolis Code § 249.40, property owners whose buildings are determined to be nuisance conditions face potential orders to rehabilitate or demolish those buildings, with all associated costs—plus a 15% administrative fee—falling to the owner. Compliant operators generally maintain buildings in a condition that avoids nuisance determinations, keep their properties registered with the Department of Regulatory Services so that required notices reach them promptly, and respond within the 21-day appeal window if an order is issued. Owners who intend to sell a property that has received a director's order under § 249.40 are required to disclose that order to prospective purchasers before any transfer of interest.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minneapolis Code § 249.40 provides a formal city process for addressing buildings in serious disrepair, which can result in orders requiring the owner to rehabilitate or demolish the structure. Tenants living in buildings that may qualify as nuisance conditions can contact the Department of Regulatory Services to report concerns, and the notice and appeal procedures built into § 249.40 are designed to ensure that interested parties—which may include occupants with a recognized interest—are informed of any director's order. Tenants navigating questions about their rights in buildings subject to nuisance proceedings may find it helpful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Minneapolis housing regulations.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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