The purpose of the Code Enforcement Procedure is to provide a clear, systematic, and consistent process for the investigation, notification, and conformance with City Code. The goal of Code Enforcement is to seek voluntary compliance with the provisions of the City Code, which provide for the maintenance of a high quality of life in the community, guide growth, and protect community health, welfare, and the environment.
Complaint:
The Code Enforcement procedure is a complaint-driven process.
The complaint may be received from a resident, business representative, or City staff member via phone, e-mail, letter, or by an appearance at City Hall.
The information collected during an on-going investigation is information that is protected by the Minnesota Data Practices Act. The complainant's name is protected information, as is any inspection data, inspection result's, letters, phone calls, emails, or photos concerning the case investigation. Only upon closing of a case through compliance or issuance of a citation for prosecution of a case does select case information become public data. The complainant's name, however, remains protected information.
To file a complaint, contact City Staff at the following:
Phone: Code Enforcement Hotline number (651) 675-5687
Mailing Address: City of Eagan Attn: Code Enforcement 3830 Pilot Knob Rd Eagan, MN 55122
Location: Code Enforcement is located at City Hall, on the southeast corner of Pilot Knob Road and Wescott, in the Community Development Department.
Detailed information regarding the complaint is documented and an inspection of the property is conducted to determine if a compliance request should be issued.
Inspection:
Property complaints are inspected in a timely manner, with consideration of seriousness of the violation from a health, safety and welfare standpoint.
The subject property is inspected from the public right-of-way or, with permission, from the complainant's property and findings from the inspection are noted.
The inspection is conducted discreetly and with respect for the property and privacy of others.
Notification:
Once a complaint has been verified by inspection, a notification letter is issued to the property owner and, if applicable, to the occupant of the premises.
The notification letter is a brief letter stating property conditions and references requirements of City Code.
A sentence or two may be devoted to methods to alleviate the violation, and a requested compliance date is given.
Occasionally, other information may be included with the letter such as a copy of the City Code Section and Subdivision, or helpful preprinted information such as the Eagan Refuse Removal Guide or the Composting Recipe Guide.
Compliance:
Conditions that are quickly and easily remedied are requested for compliance within 3 to 10 days.
Conditions that may require a more involved resolution are given a compliance request date in keeping with the situation and its complexity.
The property owner may contact the inspector in person or by phone for further information regarding the City Code, the enforcement process, or to seek an extension on the compliance date.
Compliance dates are used as a guide and are subject to change if the property owner requires additional time to bring the property into compliance.
The ideal outcome is complete compliance within the requested time.
Occasionally, a second notification letter is necessary to encourage compliance.
Infrequently, after all attempts to attain compliance are exhausted, a citation will be issued, or a non-compliance case will be turned over to the City Attorney for resolution through the court system.
The goal of code enforcement is compliance, not punishment.
