Code Enforcement

The Code Enforcement Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with local codes and regulations, promoting safe and healthy living conditions, maintaining the appearance and value of the community. The division enforces a range of building, business, zoning, health and sanitation, public ways & property, public safety, motor vehicle & traffic codes.

The Code Enforcement Division works to resolve code violations through education and outreach, voluntary compliance, and enforcement action when necessary. This may involve issuing citation, fines, or orders to correct violations. The division also provides technical assistance and support to property owners, contractors, and developers to help them understand and comply with the codes and regulations.

A code violation is the use of any land – including vacant properties and buildings – that is contrary to the provisions of Prior Lake City Code. City Staff strives to inspect every complaint received; however, due to limited staffing and to promote responsible use of government resources and staff time, City staff reserves the right and, in most cases, will not inspect or address vague complaints, retaliatory complaints, excessive complaints from one individual, or multiple property complaints from anonymous sources.

Upon receipt of a reported code violation, the City’s Code Enforcement Officer will log the information and rank it according to priority, with health and safety issues taking precedence over violations that do not pose an immediate health or safety risk. The Code Enforcement Officer will conduct a site visit and generally, if a violation is confirmed, a notice will be given to the responsible party. In most cases, the Code Enforcement Officer will give the responsible party a deadline to abate all violations on the site. This deadline will vary according to the number and type of violation(s) on side.

Concerns regarding animals, on-street parking, burning, recreational fires, fireworks or noise related violations must be reported while they are occurring by calling the 24-hour, non emergency number for the Police Department at 952-445-1411.

Garbage & Refuse Containers

Landscaping & Grading / Driveways / Building / Short Term Rental

Landscaping & Grading: Any movement of more than 10 cubic yards of material or impact to more than 500 square feet of area on steep slopes or within the bluff impact zone, shore impact zone or shoreland district; or any movement of more than 50 cubic yards of material or impact to more than 500 square feet outside of the shoreland district (City Code Sections 10-436 (2) & Section 10-568) and Public Works Design Manual).
Application & Handout

Driveways: A permit is required for each of the following: (i) replacement of a driveway, (ii) alteration of a driveway; or (iii) addition to an existing driveway if the addition exceeds the length and width approved as part of the original building permit (City Code Section 10-766).
Handout & Application

Building Permits: No person shall construct, alter, or expand a structure within the City of Prior Lake without first obtaining a building permit. No building permit shall be issued unless the building or structures and proposed use of the land comply with the requirements of the City Code (City Code Section 5-23 & City Code Section 1-15).
Handout

Short Term Rental: A permit is required for the rental or lease of a dwelling unit for a period of at least 60 days but no more than 180 days. Submit permit application below including fee of $250.00.The rental or lease of a dwelling unit for less than 60 days is prohibited in all Residential Use Districts (City Code Section 4-380 through 4-388).
Application

NOTE: If any person fails to obtain a required permit, license, approval, registration or similar authorization which is required by the City Code prior to the commencement of the related work, said person shall obtain an after the fact authorization, comply with all requirements for said authorization, and pay double the stated fee for said authorization (City Code Section 1-15).

2025 List of Permitted Short Term Rentals
*These dwellings can be rented out 5 times per month.*
6710 Rustic Road SE	4313 Grainwood Circle
5325 Shore Trail NE	3600 Lone Tree Island Circle NE
2977 Spring Lake Road SW	2825 Spring Lake RD SW
14120 Shady Beach
Dwelling shall not be rented for less than 60 days.
14829 Oakland Beach AVE SE	16027 Northwood RD NW

Property Maintenance

Public Nuisance

Recreational Equipment

Currently licensed and operable WINTER recreational equipment may be parked on or adjacent to a driveway on a lot in the "R" Use District from Nov. 1 to April 1 each year. Currently licensed and operable SUMMER recreational equipment may be parked on or adjacent to a driveway on a lot in a "R" Use District from April to Nov. 1 each year. In addition to all other requirements, all recreational equipment parked on or adjacent to a driveway shall be operable and shall have the current license posted or displayed in a visible manner on the equipment.

At all other times, recreational equipment shall be stored in the rear or side yard provided the recreational equipment is operable. Recreational equipment shall be set back a minimum of 5 feet from the rear or side yard; except that recreational equipment may be stored within 5 feet of a rear or side yard line only if screened by a fence located on the lot which fence is at least 6 feet high and is in compliance with City Code Section 10-729 and City Code Section 10-61.
Handout

Traffic Visibility / Right of Way

No walls, fences, structures, trees, shrubs, vegetation or other obstructions shall be permitted in any yard when it poses a danger to traffic by obscuring the view from any street, roadway.... (City Code Section 10-730).

No person shall sweep into or deposit in any gutter, street or other public place within the City the accumulation of litter from any building or lot or from any private or public sidewalk or driveway. Persons owning or occupying property shall keep the sidewalk/s, public easement area, in front, side or rear of their premises free of litter, weeds, brush, snow ice, or any obstruction (City Code Section 5-20).

Any fallen tree or tree limb located on a street, sidewalk or boulevard and any tree which obstructs free passage of pedestrian or vehicle traffic. All limbs of trees which are less than twelve (12) feet above the surface of any street or sidewalk (City Code Section 5-62).
Handout

Right-of-Way Permit Required (City Code Section 8-228).

Vehicles

It shall be unlawful for any person to place or maintain for keeping, storing, or piling, whether temporarily, irregularly, or continually any junk or junk vehicles on private property unless the same is housed within a lawfully erected building (City Code Section 5-135).

Junk Vehicles shall mean any unlicensed, unregistered or inoperable motor vehicle including automobiles, motorcycles, ATV's snowmobiles, go-carts or any components or parts thereof (City Code Section 5-134)
Handout

Weeds & Grass

It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or occupant or any agent, servant, representative or employee of any such owner, lessee or occupant having control of any occupied or unoccupied lot or land or any part thereof in the City to permit or maintain on any such lot or property or along the sidewalk, street or alley adjacent to the same, any growth of plants, grass, brush, or other weeds or vegetation which is horticulturally out of place to a height greater than twelve (12) inches (City Code Section 5-24 (a) (1)).
Handout

This ordinance shall be enforced at all times between the established growing season of April 1 to Nov. 1 (City Code Section 5-24 (b)).

Winter Sidewalk Maintenance

FAQs

How do I make a Code Violation complaint?

Possible code enforcement violations may be submitted for investigation by a member of city staff, citizens or business owners. Potential violations may be submitted directly to the Code Enforcement Officer via the "Report a Code Violation" button on this page, by submitting a complaint in person at City Hall, or by phone.

The reporting party shall provide their name, address, and contact information in order to property process and investigate the complaint. Reporting parties will be notified of the outcome of the complaint, if requested.

The City of Prior Lake has limited capacity to investigate Code Enforcement complaints. City staff strives to inspect every complaint received; however, due to limited staffing and to promote responsible use of government resources and staff time, City staff reserves the right and, in most cases, will not inspect or address vague complaints, retaliatory complaints, excessive complaints from one individual, or multiple property complaints from anonymous sources.
How long do I have to shovel my sidewalk when it snows?

All snow and ice on public sidewalks must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours after a snowfall discontinues. Do not shovel, blow or plow the snow onto the street or across a city street.
If I report a Code Violation on my neighbor will they know I complained?

You name, address, email and phone number are classified as confidential data by MN State Law. If the case proceeds to court, the data may be discoverable upon a judge's ruling to release the data.

The data you supply for this complaint will be used for substantiating the complaint, purposes of investigation and if necessary, to pursue legal action.
My neighbor has boards, tires and other junk piled in their yard - is this a violation?

Solid waste, garbage, trash, and rubbish is not allowed to be piled up on the property. Solid waste is to be stored in a trash receptacle with a lid and removed from the premises on a regular basis. An excessive amount of solid waste is a public nuisance. Solid waste is not to be stored in open truck beds or in trailers. Except for play equipment, garden equipment, patio furniture, and trampolines all other materials and equipment shall be stored within a structure or removed from the property.
My neighbor's grass is knee high - is this a violation?

Owners and occupants of property shall not permit overgrown grass or weeds to a height exceeding twelve (12) inches on the property.
There is a new house being built on our street. What are the hours they can be working making noise?

Equipment and construction activity hours on public and private property are 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., Mondays through Saturdays, and between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Sundays and legal holidays. This includes, but is not limited to: noise from power tools, equipment, vehicles and other construction activities.
What are the hours that a homeowner can operate landscaping maintenance equipment?

The use of power lawn or landscape maintenance equipment including, but not limited to: lawn mowers, hedge clippers, grass/weed trimmers, garden tillers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, or wood chippers by individual homeowners or occupants is permitted between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M., Mondays through Saturdays, and between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Sundays and legal holidays.
What are typical American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards?
What is considered a right of way obstruction?

Plants, materials, equipment, structures, vehicles, etc. may not block the use of any public street, trail, alleyway or sidewalk. This includes basketball standards, skateboard ramps, etc. Trees/bushes must be maintained twelve (12') feet above a public street, trail, alleyway or above the sidewalk. Other plant materials should not block or obstruct any portion of the public sidewalk.

The property owner also is responsible to ensure that any street signs, street lights, traffic control or directional sign that abuts their property is not obstructed from view by any plant, material, equipment, structure, vehicle, etc.
What is the Code Enforcement procedure?

When a code violation is reported, the Code Enforcement Officer opens a complaint and works towards verifying and resolving the violation through a process of education, inspection and notices. On average, 99% of code violations are resolved voluntarily through the notice process. Continued violations are followed by progressive enforcement.

Each violation has its own set of enforcement procedures; however, the process generally follows this sequence:

1. Complaint received
2. Inspection conducted
3. Notice left at residence or sent to violator allowing time for correction
4. Re-inspections conducted
5. Citations issued if violation is not corrected
6. Abate (violation removed by City contractor) and lien
What is the purpose of Code Enforcement?

Code Enforcement Program enforces City Codes and adopted City Policies striving to enhance the health, safety and aesthetics of the City of Prior Lake with the goal of seeking voluntary compliance.
Where can I park my vehicles on my property?

Only currently licensed, registered, or operable vehicles can be parked on an approved driveway. All other vehicles on the property are required to be housed within a lawfully erected building.

An approved driveway shall be surfaced with bituminous, pavers or concrete. No vehicle shall be stored, displayed, parked or allowed in any of the required yard, stone class 5, or landscaped areas.

More FAQs