Demolition

We explain how we evaluate properties for demolition or rehab. We also describe the process we take to demolish a building.

Overview

City staff look at properties on the Vacant Building Registration list. We decide if any property should be:

  • Demolished, or
  • Rehabbed

See Vacant Building Registration

Learn about:

Building wrecker demolition

Property evaluation

Criteria

To evaluate properties, we look at the:

  • Fire damage and severity
  • Property condition
  • Length of time the property has been condemned and vacant
  • Activity by owner, such as:
    • Code compliance inspection completed
    • Permit applications
  • Building's history with the Problem Properties Unit
  • Proximity of the address to other boarded and vacant structures
  • Market potential of the property after rehab

Demolition or rehab

Under City law, the Director of Inspections may:

  • Declare a property a nuisance, and
  • Order either demolition or rehab (called a director’s order)

The most common nuisance abatement action ordered by the City is demolition.

See City Ordinance Chapter 249.30

Nuisance property

The City can declare that a property is a nuisance if any one of these are true:

  • It has been vacant and unoccupied for at least six months.
  • It is unfit for occupancy after being condemned for at least 60 days for:
    • Boards
    • Maintenance
  • It has a negative impact on property values in the area.
  • The City finds that the cost to fix the building is more than its after-rehab resale value.

Demolition process

Step 1

Order to raze and remove

Staff sends out a Director’s Order to raze and remove.

The notification goes by certified mail to:

  • The owner of record
  • The taxpayer
  • All interested parties, such as mortgage companies and lien holders

The notice gives 30 days to comply with the order or 21 days to appeal.

Step 2

Order to abate published

Order to abate published

Step 3

Order to abate posted

The City posts the order to abate on the property. The order explains the process to appeal.

Step 4

If the owner appeals

The City schedules the property before the Nuisance Condition Process Review Panel.

Step 5

Date and time for appeal

The City sends the date and time for the appeal to:

  • The owner
  • Neighbors within 350 feet of the property
  • The local neighborhood organization

Neighbors may submit impact statements if they wish.

Step 6

Panel recommendation

The Nuisance Condition Process Review Panel sends its recommendation to the City Council. The City Council takes final action.

Timeframe

Next steps

If the owner does not appeal or demolish

  • The City may hire a contractor and demolish the property.
  • Typically, the City will demolish the building within 60 to 90 days.

If the owner appeals

  • The owner enters into a restoration agreement.
  • The total process to make all corrections takes about three to six months.

Report an issue

Contact us

Regulatory Services

Phone

311 or 612-673-3000

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 510
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Office hours

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday

Closed on City holidays

See list of City holidays