Washington County, MN Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Washington County Ordinance No. 165, the Public Health Nuisance Ordinance adopted May 6, 2003, lists structural blight alongside trash and vermin conditions as an expressly prohibited public health nuisance. Section 4.2(4) declares "Any Structure which has become dangerous for further occupancy because of sanitary defects" to be a Public Health Hazard or Public Health Nuisance, grouped with unenclosed waste, animal-carcass accumulation, and vermin-harboring rubbish piles. Section 2.1 makes the ordinance applicable countywide, in both incorporated and unincorporated municipalities, under the jurisdiction of the Washington County Community Board of Health, though Section 2.3 lets it stack on top of a city's own housing or nuisance code rather than replace it.

Enforcement runs through the Department of Public Health and Environment (the "Health Authority"). Once the Health Authority determines a dangerous structure exists, Section 6.1 requires notice by certified mail to the owner, occupant, and any property agent. Section 6.2 gives the owner 10 working days to abate, shortened if the Health Authority finds immediate action is needed to preserve public health and safety, with the reasons for any shortened deadline stated in the order. Section 6.5 authorizes posting a warning sign on the structure's entrance barring entry, and it is unlawful for anyone but the Health Authority to remove that sign. If the owner fails to comply, Section 6.10 lets the county abate the structure itself and recover the cost from the owner under Minnesota Statutes section 145A.04, subd. 8, and Section 6.9 authorizes filing the notice and order with the County Recorder against the property record and with lien or mortgage holders.