Washington County, MN Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Ordinance No. 165 was adopted under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 145A and applies countywide, in both incorporated cities and unincorporated townships, under the jurisdiction of the Washington County Community Board of Health (§2.1); where a city already has its own nuisance or housing code, the county ordinance applies in addition to and to supplement that local code (§2.3). Section 4.2 lists conditions the county treats as public health nuisances without limitation, including failing to keep garbage in a closed, insect- and rodent-proof container except for the short window before hauler pickup (§4.2(1)), letting decayed matter, feces, trash, rubbish or scrap metal accumulate where flies, mosquitoes, rodents or other vermin can harbor (§4.2(3)), and actual infestations of rats, mice, fleas, cockroaches, lice, ticks or fly larvae (§4.2(5)).

The Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment, acting as the 'Health Authority' under §5.1, determines whether a nuisance exists and, under §5.3, has statutory right of entry to inspect a suspect property under Minn. Stat. §145A.04, subd. 7. Once a violation is confirmed, §6.1 requires the Health Authority to notify the owner, occupant and any property agent by certified mail, and §6.2 orders abatement within ten working days of that notice, unless the Health Authority shortens the period because immediate action is needed to protect public health. If the owner cannot be located, §6.7 lets the Health Authority post notice directly on the property.