Winona, Minn., City Code ch. 33A (2026) § 33A.14
Enforcement of the Order of the Building Official or the Board
Operative Text
33A.14 - ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDER OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL OR THE BOARD
OF APPEALS
(a) General. After any order of the building official or the housing appeals board
made pursuant to this chapter becomes final, no person to whom any such order
is directed shall fail, neglect or refuse to obey any such order. Any such person
who fails to comply with any such order is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) Failure to Obey Order. If, after any order of the building official or housing
appeals board made pursuant to this chapter has become final, the person to
whom such order is directed shall fail, neglect or refuse to obey such order, the
building official may (i) cause such person to be prosecuted under section (a)
above or (ii) institute any appropriate action to abate such building as a public
nuisance.
(c) Failure to Commence Work. Whenever the required repair or demolition is not
commenced within 30 days after any final notice and order issued under this
chapter becomes effective:
1. The building official shall cause the building described in such notice and
order to be vacated by posting at each entrance thereto a notice reading:
SUBSTANDARD BUILDING
DO NOT OCCUPY
It is a misdemeanor to occupy this building
or to remove or deface this notice.
Inspection Division
2. No person shall occupy any building that has been posted as specified in
this subsection. No person shall remove or deface any such notice so
posted until the repairs, demolition or removals ordered by the building
Chapter 33A – Page 32 Last updated 07/14/2021
CHAPTER 33A
official have been completed and a certificate of occupancy issued
pursuant to the provisions of the Building Code.
3. The building official may, in addition to any other remedy herein provided,
cause the building to be repaired to the extent necessary to correct the
conditions that render the building substandard as set forth in the notice
and order; or, if the notice and order required demolition, to cause the
building to be sold and demolished; or, to be demolished, and the
materials, rubble and debris there from removed and the lot cleaned. Any
such repair or demolition work shall be accomplished and the cost thereof
paid and recovered in the manner hereinafter provided in this chapter.
Any surplus realized from the sale of any such building, or from the
demolition thereof, over and above the cost of demolition and of cleaning
the lot shall be paid over to the person or persons lawfully entitled thereto.
(d) Extension of Time to Perform Work. Upon receipt of an application from the
person required to conform to the order and by agreement of such person to
comply with the order if allowed additional time, the building official may grant an
extension of time, not to exceed an additional 120 days, within which to complete
said repair, rehabilitation or demolition, if the building official determines that
such an extension of time will not create or perpetuate a situation imminently
dangerous to life or property. The building official's authority to extend time is
limited to the physical repair, rehabilitation or demolition of the premises and will
not in any way affect or extend the time to appeal the notice and order.
(e) Interference with Repair or Demolition Work Prohibited. No person shall
obstruct, impede or interfere with any officer, employee, contractor or authorized
representative of the city or with any person who owns or holds any estate or
interest in any building that has been ordered repaired, vacated or demolished
under the provisions of this chapter, or with any person to whom such building
has been lawfully sold pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, whenever such
officer, employee, contractor or authorized representative of this jurisdiction,
person having an interest or estate in such building or structure, or purchaser is
engaged in the work of repairing, vacating and repairing, or demolishing any
such building pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or in performing any
necessary act preliminary to or incidental to such work or authorized or directed
pursuant to this chapter.Section 33A.14 of Winona's City Code establishes what happens when a building official's or housing appeals board's order becomes final and is not followed. Once an order is final, ignoring it is a misdemeanor offense, and the building official gains authority to pursue criminal prosecution, declare the building a public nuisance, post 'Do Not Occupy' notices, or arrange for city-directed repairs or demolition at the responsible party's expense. The section also allows up to a 120-day extension for completing required work if the building official determines no imminent danger exists, and it prohibits anyone from interfering with authorized repair or demolition activities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to a final order under Winona City Code Ch. 33A §§ 33A.01–33A.14 generally begin required repairs or demolition promptly—within 30 days of the order taking effect—to avoid the building being posted as substandard and vacated. Compliant operators who need more time typically submit a written extension request to the building official before the deadline, agreeing in writing to comply, and understand that any extension granted (up to 120 days) covers only the physical work, not the appeal timeline. Operators also ensure that no one on their behalf obstructs city employees, contractors, or other authorized parties carrying out court- or officially-ordered work on the property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in a building subject to a final order under Winona City Code Ch. 33A §§ 33A.01–33A.14 should be aware that if a 'SUBSTANDARD BUILDING – DO NOT OCCUPY' notice is posted at the entrance, occupying the building or removing that notice is itself a misdemeanor. If a tenant believes a building official's order affects their housing situation, they may contact the Winona Inspection Division directly for information about the status of any orders or certificates of occupancy. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand their options when a building is ordered vacated or demolished.
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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