Well-maintained residential properties encourage private and public investment in a neighborhood.
In order to monitor neighborhood conditions and identify signs of decline in their earliest stages, the City established the Residential Property Code Compliance Program, consisting of resident complaint investigations and systematic inspections.
Environmental Health conducts systematic inspections of all residential areas within Bloomington. Each property is inspected for violations of the City’s Code and, if observed, orders are issued for those violations. A property that is issued orders is given a reasonable time period to comply with the orders.
The commercial property inspection program works with property owners and tenants while investigating complaints, conducting site inspections for permit applications or licenses, reviewing sign permits, and working with other City divisions and departments to deal with problem properties.
This program also works collaboratively with Planning, Fire Prevention, Building Inspections, Public Works and Crime Prevention Divisions to ensure the continued high standards for the City and businesses located here. The City’s high expectations reduce blight and help to keep Bloomington a desirable location for businesses and commerce to flourish.
The City recognizes that many businesses or organizations have temporary promotions during the year and that these events are typically publicized with temporary signs. In most instances a permit is required to display a temporary sign. [BCC § 21.304.13]
Fire Prevention conducts regular inspections of commercial, industrial and multi-family residential structures for continued compliance with Minnesota fire and building codes. The division also investigates all fires in Bloomington to determine cause and origin, and works with the Police Department to investigate arson.
Before the City provided water, all homes relied upon private wells for drinking water. These homes were also connected to private septic systems. In the 1960s, many private wells were found to be contaminated. This lead the City to provide municipal water and sewer service. A small number of homes are not connected to City water or sewer and still rely on a private well for drinking water and/or a septic system.
A private well that is maintained and used for irrigation is allowed as long as the well water system is not connected to the pipes carrying City water into your home. If the well is not in use for irrigation it must be sealed by a Minnesota Department of Health Licensed Contractor. The contractor will apply for the City's Well Sealing permit.
The City of Bloomington's quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends. In order to get an exception to these hours, you must apply for a Type I Noise Exception Permit through the Environmental Health Division.
Completed applications may be submitted to the Environmental Health Division at envhealth@bloomingtonmn.gov or mailed to Civic Plaza at 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431.
An inspector visits the property within a few days of the complaint. If violations of City Code are found, a notice is sent to the owner so that they may correct the problem. Compliance may take ten days to several months, so please be patient. If you would like an update on the property, please remember to leave your contact information on the initial complaint.
Well-maintained properties play a big role in a community's prosperity. Among the responsibilities of the Environmental Health Division is monitoring and responding to problems with properties when they fall into violation with standards set forth in the City Code.
Learn more about Environmental Health's duties that relate to each of these categories of property:
