Columbia Heights, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 5A (2026) § 5A.604
FAILURE TO COMPLY
Operative Text
Upon failure to comply with a compliance order within the time set therein, and no appeal having been taken, or upon failure to comply with a modified compliance order within the time set therein, the criminal penalty established hereunder notwithstanding, the City Council, after due notice to the owner, may by resolution declare the condition to constitute a public nuisance and cause the cited deficiency to be remedied as set forth in the compliance order. The cost of such remedy shall be a lien against the subject real estate and may be levied and collected as a special assessment in accordance with M.S. Chapter 429, as it may be amended from time to time, for abatement of nuisances and specifically for the removal or elimination of public health or safety hazards from private property. Any assessment levied thereunder shall be payable in a single installment unless a different payment schedule is authorized by Council resolution. The intent of this section is to authorize the city to utilize all of the provisions of this code and of Minnesota law to protect the public's health, safety and general welfare. (Ord. 1532, passed 11-26-07; Am. Ord. 1695, passed 4-22-24)
Columbia Heights Ch. 5A Rental Housing § 5A.604 establishes what happens when a property owner fails to comply with a compliance order by its deadline and does not appeal. In that situation, the City Council may formally declare the condition a public nuisance and arrange for the cited deficiency to be corrected at the city's direction. The cost of that remediation becomes a lien on the property and can be collected as a special assessment under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 429, generally payable in a single installment unless the Council authorizes a different schedule.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 5A.604, property owners and managers who receive a compliance order should be aware that missing the stated deadline—without filing an appeal—can trigger City Council action to declare the condition a public nuisance. Once that resolution passes, the city may arrange for the deficiency to be corrected and place the remediation costs as a lien against the property, recoverable through a special assessment process. Operators who track compliance deadlines carefully and document corrective actions taken generally avoid the escalated consequences this section authorizes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 5A.604 gives tenants context for understanding what the city can do when a landlord ignores a compliance order: the City Council may step in, declare the problem a public nuisance, and have the deficiency corrected at the landlord's expense through a property lien. Tenants who are aware of an unresolved compliance order may consider contacting the Columbia Heights city offices to inquire about the status of enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Minnesota housing law can help residents understand what options may be available when a landlord has not met a compliance deadline.
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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