Eden Prairie, MN Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Subdivision 1 declares that buildings, fences, and other structures so poorly maintained that their physical condition and appearance detract from the surrounding neighborhood are public nuisances because they are unsightly, reduce neighbors' enjoyment of their property, and hurt property values and neighborhood patterns. Subdivision 2 turns that declaration into specific standards: no exterior surface may have deterioration, holes, breaks, or rotting boards; painted surfaces cannot show peeling or cracked finish on more than ten percent of a wall or of the doors, windows, and trim on a side; glass and screens must be intact; doors and shutters must hang and latch properly; roofs must be tight and drainage systems secured; and decks, porches, fences, chimneys, and vents must be structurally sound and properly secured.

Temporary construction fencing, including erosion-control hay bales and fabric, cannot substitute for permanent fencing and must come down once hazards are eliminated or construction ends. Enforcement runs through Subdivision 3: the Chief Building Official issues a written Notice of Violation and Compliance Order describing the property, the violation, the required remedy, the deadline, and the possible City actions if repairs are not made, plus notice of the right to appeal. Subdivision 4 lets an aggrieved owner appeal under City Code Section 2.80, and the Council can uphold, void, or modify the violation finding. Beyond the misdemeanor exposure under Section 9.99, Subdivision 3.B allows civil enforcement by injunction, abatement action, or other appropriate civil remedy.