Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 34 § 34.32
Property areas; exterior standards on nonresidential, industrial, commercial and institutional properties
Operative Text
The owner of any premises regulated by this section, as specified in section 34.03, shall comply with the following requirements: (1) Sanitation. All exterior property areas shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of garbage, mixed municipal solid waste, animal feces or refuse. (2) Insect and rodent infestations. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to exterminate any infestation of rodents, vermin or other pests in all exterior areas and accessory structures on the premises. (3) Accessory structures. All accessory structures including, but not limited to, detached garages, sheds and fences, shall be kept in a professional state of maintenance and repair and maintained structurally sound. All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint which is not lead-based paint or by other protective covering or treatment. Service doors to accessory structures shall be provided with securing locks. (4) Stored materials. It shall be unlawful to accumulate and store building material, lumber, boxes, cartons, portable storage containers, inter modal cargo containers or other containers, machinery, scrap metal, junk, raw material, fabricated goods and other items in such manner as to constitute a nuisance or rodent harborage. (5) Obscuring fences. Refer to the zoning code. (6) Refrigerators and accessible containers. It shall be unlawful to permit a refrigerator or other container, sufficiently large to retain a child and with doors which fasten automatically when closed, to be exposed and accessible to children without removing the doors, lids, hinges or latches. (7) Outdoor swimming pool. All outdoor swimming pools, in use or temporarily out of use, shall be maintained and secured as defined in section 34.08 (12). a. Out-of-service outdoor swimming pool. Any outdoor swimming pool not in use for more than one (1) year shall be free of stagnant water, free of debris, and secured as defined in section 34.08 (12). b. Nuisance outdoor swimming pool. Any outdoor swimming pool that has stagnant water, lacks maintenance such as damaged sides, broken ladders, missing or damaged equipment, or is out of service for two (2) years, and/or is not secured as defined in section 34.08 (12) is subject to abatement under chapter 45 of the St. Paul Municipal Code. (8) Outdoor swimming pool fencing. a. All yards of one- and two-family structures containing outdoor swimming pools shall be enclosed by an obscuring fence or wall not less than four (4) feet in height, maintained in a professional state of maintenance or repair, and shall be constructed such that no openings, holes or gaps in the fence or wall exceed four (4) inches in any dimension except for openings protected by a door or gate. All yards of residential structures of three (3) or more units and commercial structures containing outdoor swimming pools shall be enclosed by an obscuring fence not less than five (5) feet in height, maintained in a professional state of maintenance or repair, and shall be constructed such that no openings, holes or gaps in the fence or wall exceed four (4) inches in any dimension except for openings protected by a door or gate. Sidewalls greater than four (4) or five (5) feet in height on an above ground outdoor swimming pool are not a substitute for the appropriate fence or wall. The gates shall be of a self-closing and self-latching type, with the latch on the inside of the gate, not readily available for children to open. Gates shall be capable of being securely locked when the outdoor swimming pool is not in use. (9) Parked or stored vehicles. All existing parking spaces shall consist of asphalt, concrete, gravel, rock, or other durable and dustless surfaces. Existing parking surfaces must be maintained in a professional state of repair and may be maintained with like materials without additional approval from the city. Existing parking surfaces must be contained to eliminate migration onto other adjacent surfaces and must be clearly delineated. Before any existing spaces may be expanded upon, site plan approval must be obtained as specified in the Saint Paul Zoning Code and the lot must be developed in conformance with such approval.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.32 establishes exterior maintenance standards for nonresidential, industrial, commercial, and institutional properties. Owners must keep outdoor areas free of garbage, pests, and unsafe accumulations of materials, and must maintain accessory structures, swimming pools, fencing, and parking surfaces in sound, safe condition. Certain hazards—such as unsecured refrigerators accessible to children, stagnant swimming pools, and improperly stored junk—are explicitly prohibited, and neglected pools may be subject to abatement under Chapter 45 of the St. Paul Municipal Code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of properties covered by Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.32 generally maintain a routine inspection schedule to ensure exterior areas remain clean, pest-free, and free of accumulated debris or stored materials that could constitute a nuisance. Compliant operators keep accessory structures structurally sound, painted with non-lead-based coatings on exposed wood, and fitted with locking service doors, while ensuring swimming pools are properly fenced, gated with self-latching hardware, and kept free of stagnant water. Parking surfaces are kept in professional repair using durable, dustless materials and are clearly delineated, with any expansion pursued only after obtaining site plan approval under the Saint Paul Zoning Code.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
While § 34.32 places exterior maintenance obligations directly on property owners rather than tenants, occupants of regulated properties have an interest in understanding these standards because unsafe or unsanitary exterior conditions may affect health and safety. Tenants who observe violations—such as rodent infestations, hazardous stored materials, or improperly secured swimming pools—can report concerns to the City of Saint Paul's code enforcement office, which has authority to inspect and require corrective action. Tenant-rights organizations in Saint Paul can help individuals understand how exterior code violations under ch. 34 § 34.32 may relate to broader habitability or lease obligations.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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