Cambridge, Minn., City Code ch. 97 (2026) § 97.15
Exterior Property Standards
Operative Text
§ 97.15 EXTERIOR PROPERTY STANDARDS The owner of any premises shall comply with the following requirements: (A) Sanitation. All exterior property areas shall be maintained free of any accumulation of garbage, mixed municipal solid waste, animal feces or refuse. (B) Ground cover. Every residential premises shall be maintained in a condition to control erosion, dust and mud by suitable landscaping with grass, trees, shrubs, or other planted ground cover, or by paving with asphalt, concrete or by such other suitable means as shall be approved by the enforcement officer. (C) Insect and rodent infestations. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to control and/or eliminate any infestation of insects, rodents or other pests in all exterior areas and accessory structures on the premises. (D) Accessory structures. All accessory structures including, but not limited to, detached garages, sheds and fences, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair. All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint that is not lead-based paint or by other protective covering or treatment. Service doors to residential garages shall be provided with securing locks. (E) Stored materials. It shall be unlawful to accumulate and store building material, lumber, boxes, cartons or other containers, machinery, scrap metal, junk, raw material, fabricated goods and other items in such manner as to constitute a nuisance or rodent harborage. (F) Exterior sidewalks, walkways and stairs. All sidewalks, walkways and exterior stairs shall be maintained in a safe, sound condition, free of defects and hazards.
Cambridge, MN City Code § 97.15 establishes a set of exterior property standards that property owners must meet. The rule covers a range of conditions including keeping outdoor areas free of garbage and waste, controlling erosion through landscaping or paving, managing insect and rodent infestations, maintaining accessory structures like garages and sheds in sound repair, avoiding the unlawful accumulation of stored materials that could become a nuisance or rodent harborage, and keeping sidewalks and exterior stairs safe and free of hazards. Non-decay-resistant wood surfaces must be protected with non-lead-based paint or another suitable treatment, and residential garage service doors must have securing locks.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Cambridge, MN are generally expected to conduct regular exterior inspections to ensure compliance with § 97.15. Compliant property managers typically keep outdoor areas clear of garbage, animal waste, and refuse; maintain ground cover to prevent erosion and dust; address pest infestations promptly; keep accessory structures structurally sound with properly protected wood surfaces and secured garage doors; avoid accumulating stored materials in ways that could constitute a nuisance; and ensure all walkways and exterior stairs remain safe and defect-free. Approvals from the enforcement officer may be required when non-standard ground cover solutions are used in place of conventional landscaping or paving.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Cambridge, MN City Code § 97.15, tenants have an interest in knowing that their landlord bears responsibility for maintaining the exterior of the premises to these standards, including pest control, safe walkways, and properly maintained accessory structures. If exterior conditions at a rental property appear to fall short of these requirements—such as unaddressed rodent infestations, deteriorating fences or garages, or hazardous stairs—tenants may consider documenting the conditions and reaching out to the Cambridge city enforcement office to report potential violations. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what options are generally available when exterior property standards under § 97.15 are not being met.
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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