If you have questions or concerns about property maintenance, contact the building and energy department at 952.924.2588 or inspections@stlouisparkmn.gov.

Home exteriors

The city's property maintenance code requires that homes be properly maintained. The problems listed below represent violations of the city property maintenance code that must be corrected.

Exterior

• Peeling paint or bare wood
• Broken windows
• Rotted fascia boards

Interior

• Inoperable or missing smoke detectors
• Improper exhaust venting of dryers
• Unsafe or overlooked electrical wiring
• Unsafe furnaces or space heaters
• Missing stair handrails

Garages and accessory structures

• Garages or storage sheds that are structurally unsound or have rotted wood
• Improperly working garage door openers

Junk

Lumber, scrap metal, tires, auto parts, inoperable cars or junk vehicles, junk and other items must be stored inside a garage or storage shed, not outside.

Garbage carts

Carts should be put away as soon as practical after they are emptied on your collection day. If you must store your carts outside, please be considerate. Carts stored outside must be:

• At least 4 feet from interior lot lines adjacent to a house.
• Behind the building line adjacent to any street.

Carts and yard waste containers may also be stored in the alley right of way immediately next to your garage. The cart may not extend into the alley itself.

Grass and weeds

Weeds and grass must be trimmed. If they grow higher than 8 inches, the City of St. Louis Park can have them cut at the property owner's expense. 

Shrubs and trees

Please trim trees and shrubs along alleys. Shrubs and branches overhanging alleys hinder drivers' visibility and scratch vehicles.

Seasonal tasks

One way to keep home maintenance chores manageable is by dividing tasks on a seasonal basis.

Structures that show extensive deterioration (rotted or bare wood, severely deteriorated roofs, leaning structures, broken windows, etc.) are in violation of the city property maintenance code. Owners may be contacted by the city and required to correct these conditions. Sound maintenance will protect your housing investment and ensure the quality of St. Louis Park's housing stock.

Property maintenance/damage questions or assistance

If your home or apartment building has experienced damage from a storm, vehicle impact, or mechanical or structural failure and you have questions or need assistance, contact the building and energy service counter at 952.924.2588 during regular business hours, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Emergency, after-hour issues can be reported by calling the police department non-emergency phone number 952.924.2618.

City inspectors are available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., if you have questions about building, plumbing, mechanical or electrical systems and as a resource if there are issues with a hired contractor.

Is your address visible on your home or business?

Every second counts when you're waiting for a fire truck or ambulance. Please help police officers and firefighters find your home or business quickly; make sure your address numbers are easy to read.

Address numbers must be a minimum of 4 inches high with a minimum width of 0.5 inches. These numbers must contrast with their background. Also, garages facing alleys are required to have visible address numbers with the same requirements as primary buildings.

Property maintenance inspections before a sale

In St. Louis Park, property maintenance (point of sale) inspections are required whenever an owner or the owner's agent intends to sell or transfer ownership of property. The inspection must be done prior to listing the property. Find out more at selling your home and selling a commercial property.