Waconia, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 541 § 541.11
Criminal and administrative remedies
Operative Text
A violation of any provision of this ordinance is a misdemeanor. In addition to any other remedy provided by this chapter, the city may impose the following administrative penalties upon the owner for any strike violation: First strike . A fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). Second strike . A fine of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00). Third strike . A fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00). If, however, the owner has been given a specified correction period by the code official, the fine shall be waived if the violation is confirmed corrected by the code official before the expiration of such period. The assessment of a strike and the payment of any administrative penalty shall not relieve the owner of the obligation to correct the violation.
Waconia Code of Ordinances ch. 541 § 541.11 establishes that any violation of the rental housing ordinance constitutes a misdemeanor offense. Beyond criminal liability, the city may also impose escalating administrative fines on property owners for each 'strike' violation: $1,000 for a first strike, $2,500 for a second, and $5,000 for a third. A fine may be waived if the code official confirms the violation has been corrected within a specified correction period, but paying a fine does not eliminate the owner's obligation to actually fix the violation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 541.11, property owners in Waconia face both criminal misdemeanor exposure and a tiered administrative fine structure for ordinance violations, so compliant operators generally prioritize prompt correction of any cited deficiencies. When a code official grants a correction period, documenting and completing repairs before that deadline is the standard practice that can result in a fine waiver. Importantly, paying an administrative penalty does not substitute for correcting the underlying violation — operators typically treat fine payment and remediation as two separate, concurrent obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 541.11 of the Waconia Code of Ordinances gives the city meaningful enforcement tools against landlords who violate rental housing rules, including misdemeanor charges and escalating fines of up to $5,000 per strike. Tenants who believe their landlord is in violation of the ordinance may consider reporting the issue to the Waconia code enforcement office, which has authority to assess these penalties and require corrections. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how the strike system works and what general options exist for pursuing complaints under this provision.
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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