Albertville, Minn., Mun. Code toc-ch4 (2026) § 10-4-12
BUILDINGS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION; VACATED BUILDINGS 1
Operative Text
A. Determination And Declaration Of Unfit Building: 1. Any building, or portion thereof, which is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, vermin or rodent infested, or which lacks provision for basic illumination, ventilation or sanitary facilities to the extent that the defects create a hazard to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or of the public may be declared unfit for human habitation. The compliance official shall order same vacated within a reasonable time and shall post a placard on same indicating that it is unfit for human habitation, and any operating license previously issued for such dwelling shall be revoked. 2. It shall be unlawful for such building or portion thereof to be used for human habitation until the defective conditions have been corrected and written approval has been issued by the compliance official. It shall be unlawful for any person to deface or remove the declaration from any such building. B. Secure Unfit And Vacated Buildings: The owner of any building, or portion thereof, which has been declared unfit for human habitation, or which is otherwise vacant for a period of sixty (60) days or more, shall make same safe and secure so that it is not hazardous to the health, safety and welfare of the public and does not constitute a public nuisance. Any vacant building open at doors or windows, if unguarded, shall be deemed to be a hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the public and a public nuisance within the meaning of this chapter and shall be made safe and secure immediately. C. Hazardous Building Declaration: In the event that a building has been declared unfit for human habitation and the owner has not remedied the defects within a prescribed reasonable time, the building may be declared a hazardous building and treated consistent with the provisions of Minnesota statutes. (Ord. 1998-1, 3-2-1998) Notes 1 1. See section 5-1-7 of this code and chapter 6 of this title for demolition provisions.
Albertville § 10-4-12 establishes a process by which buildings with serious physical deficiencies—such as decay, unsafe conditions, vermin infestation, or lack of basic utilities—can be officially declared unfit for human habitation. Once declared, the building must be vacated, posted with a placard, and its operating license revoked; re-occupancy is prohibited until defects are corrected and written approval is granted. Owners of such buildings, or any building vacant for 60 or more days, are required to keep the structure safe, secure, and free from public nuisance conditions. If defects remain uncorrected after a reasonable time, the building may be escalated to a hazardous building declaration under Minnesota statutes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Albertville § 10-4-12, compliant property owners generally maintain their buildings in a condition that avoids the triggers for an unfit-for-human-habitation declaration, such as structural decay, vermin infestation, or absent basic utilities. When a building is vacated—whether by official order or simply left unoccupied for 60 or more days—owners are expected to secure all entry points, including doors and windows, to prevent the property from becoming a public nuisance. Operators who receive a compliance order typically address all cited defects within the prescribed timeframe and obtain written approval from the compliance official before allowing re-occupancy, since failure to act can lead to a hazardous building declaration and further action under Minnesota statutes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Albertville § 10-4-12 gives tenants a basis to understand that a dwelling exhibiting serious hazards—such as vermin infestation, structural decay, or lack of basic illumination or sanitation—may be subject to an official unfit-for-human-habitation declaration by the compliance official. If a placard is posted on a building, it is unlawful for anyone to remove or deface it, and re-occupancy cannot legally occur until defects are corrected and written approval is issued. Tenants who believe their unit meets the conditions described in § 10-4-12 may consider contacting the local compliance office to request an inspection, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for information about available options.
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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