Columbia Heights, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 5A (2026) § 5A.501

(A) Sale of property.


(1) No person shall sell, purchase, give, transfer, convey by contract for deed or other transaction changing the party responsible for the property or transact a change in title or property ownership of any class of residential property with one or more buildings or structures without first obtaining a certificate of property maintenance from the city. Transfers of ownership from one family member to another, foreclosures, and the sale of bank owned properties are not exempt from the requirement of obtaining a certificate of property maintenance. This article also applies to the sale of a dwelling or dwelling unit by a personal representative or guardian appointed by a probate court or a sale ordered by a probate court.


(2) If a property changes ownership without a certificate of property maintenance or temporary certificate of property maintenance having been issued by the city, the new owner(s) shall be responsible for doing so upon acquisition of the property. The new owner(s) shall be responsible for promptly obtaining a certificate of property maintenance from the city.


(B) Exceptions. The provisions in division (A) do not apply to:


(1) Any newly constructed dwelling or dwelling unit when title is transferred to the first owner.


(2) The sale or conveyance or other transfer of title or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit to a public body.


(3) The sale or conveyance of any dwelling or dwelling unit by a sheriff, constable, marshal, trustee in bankruptcy, or other public or court officer in the performance of their official duties.


(4) The sale or transfer of title of any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of demolition, provided such demolition actually occurs within 365 days of the close of the qualifying sale.


(5) Properties owned or sold by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.


(6) The sale of multifamily properties with or more dwelling units on the parcel.


(C) Application.


(1) Required. The owner or owner's representative is required to make application for a certificate of property maintenance before any class of residential property is offered for sale or purchase, gifted, transferred, conveyed by contract for deed or other transaction changing the party responsible for the property or transacting a change in title or property ownership of the property.


(2) Fee. At the time of application, the applicant for a certificate of property maintenance must pay the property maintenance inspection fee appropriate for the type of building the request is for as set forth in the city's fee schedule.


(D) Inspection.


(1) Application. The applicant for a certificate of property maintenance is responsible for requesting an inspection of the property after making application and payment of fees. An inspection shall be made by the city to determine whether the property use is legal in accordance with city zoning requirements and whether the property complies with all applicable building, fire, health, and property maintenance codes. The entire property and all buildings on the property shall be made available for inspection.


(2) Sewer line inspection.


(a) The applicant is responsible for engaging a qualified contractor to inspect and televise the property's sewer line, extending from the house to the sewer main. This inspection aims to identify and document any issues or threats to the integrity of the sewer line.


(b) The contracted inspection must be thorough and cover the entire length of the sewer line. The contractor is required to submit a written verification of the inspection results to both the city and the applicant within one week of completing the inspection.


(c) The inspection report must address, at a minimum, the following aspects:


1. Structural integrity: Assess the overall structural condition of the sewer line. Obstructions: Identify and report any blockages, root intrusions, or other impediments.


2. Leakage: Detect and document any signs of leakage or seepage.


3. Connection points: Inspect and verify the integrity of the sewer line at key connection points, such as junctions and cleanouts.


4. Compliance: Confirm compliance with relevant codes and regulations.


(E) Compliance; expiration.


(1) When the property use is legal in accordance with city zoning requirements and the property complies with all applicable building, fire, health and property maintenance codes, a certificate of property maintenance will be issued by the city.


(2) A certificate of property maintenance remains valid and may be used for the transfer of property for a period of one year from the date of the certificate's issuance. The certificate of property maintenance may only be used for property transfer by the owner named on the certificate of property maintenance or the owner's legal representative.


(F) Temporary certificate of property maintenance. A temporary certificate of property maintenance may be issued by the city permitting the transfer of property, providing:


(1) No unsafe or hazardous conditions exist on such property.


(2) An agreement by the buyer, seller or other responsible person has been executed with the city, whereby the buyer, seller or other responsible person agrees to complete corrections to the property.


(3) A financial guarantee in the form of a cash escrow to ensure completion of any corrections to the property is posted with an attorney or title company. The cash escrow shall be in an amount at least equal to the retail value of the work as determined by the city to be necessary for compliance with this section and no less than $500. Escrows in excess of $10,000 may be reduced and partially released one time per property based on the amount of work completed as determined by a city inspector. Escrows in excess of $50,000 may be reduced and partially released up to two times per property based on the amount of work completed as determined by a city inspector. The applicant shall be responsible for additional inspection fees.


(G) Violations. All violations of this section must be corrected in a timely manner as determined by the city.


Ord. 1695, passed 4-22-24