Madison Lake, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 101 (2026) § 116.12
EMERGENCY CASES
Operative Text
(A) Declaration . Any dwelling or dwelling unit which is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, infested or which lacks provision of illumination, ventilation or sanitary facilities to the extent that the defects create a hazard to the health, safety or general welfare of the occupants or to the public, may be declared unfit for human habitation. Whenever any dwelling or dwelling unit has been declared unfit for human habitation, the City Council 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 or dwelling units shall be revoked. (B) Vacated dwelling . It shall be unlawful for a vacant dwelling or dwelling unit, which has been declared unfit for human habitation as provided above, to be used for human habitation until the defective conditions have been corrected and written approval has been issued by the city. It shall be unlawful for any person to deface or remove the declaration placard from any such dwelling or dwelling units. (C) Secure unfit and vacated dwellings . The owner of any dwelling or dwelling unit which has been declared unfit for human habitation, or which is otherwise vacant for a period of 60 days or more, shall make same safe and secure so that it is not hazardous to the health, safety or general welfare of the public and a public nuisance within the meaning of this chapter. (D) Hazardous building declaration . (1) In the event that a dwelling or dwelling unit has been declared unfit for human habitation and the owner has not remedied the defects within a prescribed reasonable time, then it may be declared a hazardous building and treated consistent with the provisions of Minnesota State Statutes. (2) The City Clerk shall keep an itemized account of the expense incurred by this jurisdiction in the repair or demolition of any building. (Ord. 236, passed 7-2-2007)
Madison Lake Ch. 101 Rental Health Standards § 116.12 establishes a process by which the city can formally declare a dwelling unfit for human habitation when conditions such as damage, decay, infestation, or lack of basic utilities create a hazard to occupants or the public. Once declared unfit, the City Council orders the property vacated, posts a placard, and revokes any operating license. Re-occupancy is prohibited until defects are corrected and the city issues written approval, and if an owner fails to remedy defects within a reasonable time, the property may be escalated to a hazardous building declaration handled under Minnesota State Statutes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Madison Lake Ch. 101 Rental Health Standards § 116.12, compliant property owners maintain dwellings free from conditions—such as decay, infestation, structural damage, or inadequate ventilation—that could trigger an unfit-for-human-habitation declaration. When a property is declared unfit, operators are expected to address all cited defects promptly within the city's prescribed timeframe and obtain written city approval before allowing any re-occupancy. Owners of properties that have been declared unfit or that have been vacant for 60 or more days are also responsible for keeping those structures secured so they do not pose a public nuisance or safety hazard.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Madison Lake Ch. 101 Rental Health Standards § 116.12 provides that tenants living in dwellings with serious hazardous conditions—such as infestation, structural decay, or missing basic utilities—may be protected by the city's authority to declare the unit unfit for human habitation and order it vacated. If a placard has been posted on a property, it is unlawful for anyone to remove or deface it, and the unit cannot legally be re-rented until defects are corrected and the city issues written approval. Tenants who believe their unit meets the threshold for an emergency declaration may consider contacting Madison Lake city officials, documenting conditions thoroughly, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand 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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