Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-9
Collection of unpaid fees (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
(a) Written notice. (1) Written notice of fees. The department of community development shall in addition to any other action the department may undertake, serve written notice of the fees in conformance with the requirements set forth in this chapter. (2) Notice for collection of fees shall include the amount of the vacant building fee that is the responsibility of the building owner and a statement that the fee shall be paid within the time period(s) identified in the notice. (b) Fee and liability. The city shall be entitled to collect the costs of vacant building registration and monitoring. The fees associated with the vacant building program shall be a debt owed to the city and unpaid costs shall be collected by special assessment under the authority in Minnesota Statutes. Action under this section does not preclude any other civil or criminal enforcement procedure.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-9 establishes a process by which the city's Department of Community Development formally notifies building owners of fees owed under the vacant building program. These fees are treated as a debt to the city, and if left unpaid, the city may recover them through a special assessment mechanism authorized by Minnesota Statutes. The provision also makes clear that pursuing fee collection does not prevent the city from taking additional civil or criminal enforcement action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-9, operators of vacant buildings can expect to receive written notice from the Department of Community Development specifying the amount owed and the deadline for payment. Compliant property owners generally pay the stated vacant building registration and monitoring fees within the timeframe identified in that notice. Failure to pay can result in the debt being converted into a special assessment against the property, and the city retains the right to pursue additional civil or criminal remedies alongside fee collection.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-9 primarily governs the financial obligations of building owners with respect to vacant property fees, but tenants in affected buildings may find this provision relevant when evaluating an owner's compliance with local housing regulations. Tenants who believe a property is improperly registered or that fee-related violations are affecting habitability can contact the Rochester Department of Community Development for information. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Rochester's vacant building program can also help explain how this provision intersects with broader housing protections.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.