Waconia, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 541 § 541.04
Requirements
Operative Text
Subd. 1. Substandard dwellings. No substandard dwellings are allowed. Subd. 2. Condition. No owner or manager shall allow infestation if extermination is not the tenant's responsibility by law. Subd. 3. Improper occupancy. No rental dwelling shall be used in manner inconsistent with its design or construction. Subd. 4. Smoke detectors. No smoke detector installed in a rental dwelling shall be allowed to remain disabled or nonfunctional. The tenant of a rental dwelling shall notify the owner or manager within 24 hours of discovering that a detector is disabled or not functioning. The owner or manager shall take immediate action to render the smoke detector operational or replace it. Subd. 5. Carbon monoxide alarms. Each rental dwelling shall have an approved and operational carbon monoxide alarm installed with ten feet of each room used for sleeping purposes as required by Minn. Stat. §§ 299F.50 and 51, as amended, unless an exception listed in Minn. Stat. § 299F.51, subd. 5, applies. Subd. 6. Refuse. Each rental dwelling shall have an adequate number of refuse containers to hold the amount of refuse produced by the occupants of the rental dwelling or as required elsewhere by the Waconia Code. Containers shall be rodent and animal proof plastic, fiberglass or rust resistant metal with a tight fitting cover. Tenants shall properly dispose of their recyclables, rubbish, garbage and other organic waste. Subd. 7. Unused or discarded items. Discarded, unused and junk appliances, furniture, mattresses and other items shall be promptly removed from the premises, but in all cases such removal shall occur within seven (7) days. Subd. 8. Storage of items. Large amounts of combustible items and materials shall not be stored in attics or basements of a rental dwelling. Storage shall be maintained two (2) feet or more below ceilings and floor joists. Combustible materials and items shall not be stored within one (1) foot of any fuel burning appliances. Storage of items shall be orderly and shall not block or obstruct exits. A minimum three (3) foot wide aisle shall be maintained to all exits, furnaces, water heaters, water meters, gas meters or other equipment serving the rental dwelling. Subd. 9. Fuel storage. LP tanks shall only be stored outdoors. Subd. 10. Fueled equipment. Fueled equipment including, but not limited to, motorcycles, mopeds, lawn-care equipment and portable cooking equipment shall only be stored outdoors or in the garage of a rental dwelling. Subd. 11. Barbecues and open flames. No person shall kindle, maintain, or cause any fire or open flame on any balcony above ground level, on any roof, or on any ground floor patio within fifteen (15) feet of any structure. Further, no person shall store or use any fuel, barbecue, torch, or similar heating or lighting chemicals or device in such locations. Subd. 12. Sidewalks and driveways. All sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas on a premises shall be kept in a proper state of repair and maintained free from hazardous conditions. Subd. 13. Defacement of property. If a rental dwelling is defaced by graffiti, it shall promptly be removed.
Waconia Code of Ordinances ch. 541 § 541.04 establishes a broad set of minimum conditions that rental dwellings must meet, covering everything from pest control and smoke detector functionality to refuse management, fire safety, and property upkeep. The provision prohibits substandard dwellings, improper occupancy, disabled smoke detectors, and open flames on balconies or near structures, while also requiring operational carbon monoxide alarms within ten feet of sleeping areas. Both owners and tenants carry defined responsibilities under the rule, with owners generally responsible for structural and safety systems and tenants responsible for proper waste disposal and timely notification of detector failures.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Waconia Code of Ordinances ch. 541 § 541.04, compliant rental property operators generally maintain dwellings free of infestation, ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are operational at all times, and respond immediately when notified of a disabled detector. Operators also keep adequate, animal-proof refuse containers on site, remove discarded items within seven days, and store combustible materials safely away from appliances, exits, and overhead structures. Sidewalks, driveways, and common areas are kept in good repair, graffiti is promptly removed, and fueled equipment such as motorcycles and portable cooking devices is stored only outdoors or in a garage.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Waconia Code of Ordinances ch. 541 § 541.04 gives tenants the right to live in a dwelling free from substandard conditions, pest infestations (where extermination is not the tenant's legal responsibility), and fire or carbon monoxide safety hazards. Tenants are required under this provision to notify their owner or manager within 24 hours of discovering a disabled or nonfunctional smoke detector, and to properly dispose of recyclables, garbage, and other waste. Tenants who believe their rental does not meet these standards may consider contacting the City of Waconia's code enforcement office, consulting a local tenant-rights organization, or reviewing the full ordinance to understand available complaint and enforcement paths.
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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