Common Code Violations

Easy Self-Inspection Property Checklist

Have you ever wondered how your property would rate according to City ordinances and codes? The following checklist is intended to help you evaluate the condition of your own home and property. This list includes common neighborhood expectations as well as some South St Paul ordinance requirements.

Answering “NO” to all of the items below means you are successfully maintaining the exterior of your property and should be proud of its appearance. Thank you for caring about your property and your neighborhood! If you have any questions about outside storage, yard maintenance or to report a code violation complaint in your neighborhood, please call the City of South St Paul’s Code Enforcement Office at (651) 554-3216.

Do you have…?YesNo
Trash, garbage, junk, brush or leaves (not in proper compost bins), car parts, appliances, unwanted furniture, scrap lumber, metal, tires, buckets, equipment or any other items stored outside that you might use or that you just haven’t gotten around to disposing of them?

Garbage and trash stored loosely and uncovered, not stored inside a tightly covered container so as to keep out animals or other pests and to keep trash from blowing around?

Garbage, trash and recycling containers stored outside near the street or alley? (All containers should be screened from view and stored within four (4) feet from your house or garage between scheduled days of pick up).

Grass or weeds that have grown to a height of over six (6) inches? Growth of any noxious weeds?

In-operable, improperly licensed or commercial type vehicles located outside? Any vehicles that are currently being repaired or maintained outside? (Vehicle maintenance and repair lasting longer than 48 hours must be done inside a garage).

A recreational vehicle that is not stored on a parking pad constructed of asphalt, concrete or landscape pavers? An oversized recreational vehicle (over 23’ or over 9,000 lbs. GVW) parked or stored within five (5) feet from your property line?

Motorized vehicles parked in the yard or a landscaped area (on grass, wood chips, etc.) instead of on an approved hard surface such as the driveway?


Do you have…?YesNo
Missing address numbers on your house or garage? (They must be at least 4 inches in height, be of a contrasting color, and be easily legible from the street or alley).

Holes, cracks or rotting wood in building foundations, walls, trim, soffits or siding? Siding that is loose or missing? Broken doors, windows or screens?

A roof that is sagging, damaged, missing shingles, or has holes? Eaves or soffits with damaged, missing or rotting boards? Areas that pests can get into?

A porch or deck with missing railings; loose, missing or rotted boards or is excessively sagging, leaning or unstable?

Fences, retaining walls, sheds or garages that have parts missing, are leaning, falling down, have deteriorated or rotting boards?

Any buildings, garages or structures with deteriorating surfaces such as blistering, cracked or peeling paint or stain, or rust showing through?

Any pre-existing gravel parking areas that are not maintained? (Weeds must be removed and the gravel must be refreshed to restore any material deterioration)

Any graffiti that has been painted or drawn on any buildings on your property? (All graffiti must be removed within three (3) business days – removal tips are available).

Any snow, garbage, leaves or grass that has been deposited on the street or alley?

Any snow or ice on your sidewalk?