Code Violations

Code enforcement plays an important role in maintaining the community’s well-planned neighborhoods and high quality of life. As neighborhoods mature and new residents move into the city, it is increasingly important for residents to be aware of the quality community standards that help make Woodbury such a great place to live and raise a family.

The following is a list of most common code violations:

Property Maintenance: The adopted property maintenance code requires the maintenance of structures and grounds. Common violations found include damaged siding, windows, fences, doors, roofing and peeling/flaking paint.
Lawn and Yard Maintenance: Lawns must be maintained so as not to exceed 8 inches in height. Landscaped areas must be maintained. Noxious weeds, as defined by state statute, must be controlled or eradicated. An example of a common noxious weed is Canada thistle.
Exterior Storage: Materials and equipment must be located indoors or be fully hidden behind a solid fence or wall no less than 5 feet in height so as to not be visible from adjoining properties. There are items that are exempt from this provision such as outdoor furniture, grills, clothes lines, etc.
Debris and Pet Waste: Properties are required to be free of debris and animal waste is required to be cleaned up on a daily basis, even in winter. All waste material, debris, refuse, recycling, yard waste or garbage must be properly contained.
Waste/Recycling Containers: Except for the day of pick-up, waste and recycling containers must be located indoors or fully hidden behind a solid fence or wall no less than 5 feet in height so as not to be visible from adjoining properties. Containers may be placed at the curb after 6 p.m. the day prior to pick-up.
Recreational Equipment: One piece of recreational equipment not exceeding 24 feet in length may be located outdoors as follows: at least 15 feet from the curb, at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines, and on concrete or blacktop. Recreational equipment includes items such as trailers, boats, recreational vehicles, campers, snowmobiles, etc.
Lawn Watering: Lawn watering, for residential and commercial properties, is allowed on an odd-even basis. Properties with addresses ending in an odd number may water on odd days of the month. Likewise, properties with addresses ending in an even number may water on even days of the month. The policy is in effect year round; for more information, visit the Watering Restrictions page.
Winter Parking: To facilitate plowing, parking on city streets is banned between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. from Nov. 1 through April 1, and any time two or more inches of snow have accumulated, until after the street has been completely plowed. The two-inch guideline applies to any hour of the day, any time of the year.
For more information, please visit the Winter Parking Regulations page.

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Snowmobile Rules

Snowmobile operators, preparing to hit the trails after a fresh snowfall, need to be aware of the regulations that govern snowmobile use in Woodbury.

While snowmobiles are permitted in the city, local ordinances restrict their use. The city's goal is to protect everyone's safety and to reduce the number of complaints we receive about snowmobiles.

In particular, snowmobiles are prohibited in city parks including HealthEast Sports Center and the Eagle Valley Golf Course. They also are not allowed on walking paths, bike paths, and on school sites.

To summarize, city regulations stipulate that:

You may operate a snowmobile only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
In residential areas, you may operate a snowmobile on the right hand side of the road while obeying all traffic laws. Riding on the boulevard of city streets is prohibited.
Snowmobiles are prohibited in parks, on walking paths, bike paths and trails unless specifically designated as a snowmobile trail.
In Woodbury, snowmobiles generally are ridden in the ditches along county roads and trunk highways. After dark, be sure to ride on the same side of the road and in the same direction as traffic is flowing.
Operation of snowmobiles while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance is illegal (Minnesota Statute 84.91, 169A).
Snowmobiles must be equipped with a muffler or other device which effectively prevents loud or explosive noise and complies with state laws and regulations.
Towing a person or an object with your snowmobile is not allowed except with the use of a rigid tow bar attached to the rear of the snowmobile.
When using the snowmobile trail maintained by the Washington County Star Trail Association, you must stay within the marked and groomed trail area. The trail generally runs east of Manning Avenue, north of Valley Creek Road, and east of County Road 19 between Bailey Road and Cottage Grove. Trail maps are available online and from the Parks and Recreation Department at City Hall. The speed limit for all trail systems in Minnesota is 50 miles per hour.
Snowmobiles may be operated on any public waterway for which there is public access. (There is no access for snowmobiles on Powers, Colby, Wilmes and Carver Lakes, which are surrounded by city park land.) Please use extreme caution if you ride on frozen lakes.
You may operate a snowmobile on your own property or on other private property if you have the written and dated permission of the land owner.
You must be 18 years of age or older to operate a snowmobile on public roads and/or public property. Persons under 18 must follow Department of Natural Resources restrictions regarding snowmobile use.
Snowmobile riders born after Dec. 31, 1976, need a snowmobile safety certificate or driver's license with a snowmobile qualification indicator.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has warned snowmobile operators to watch out for construction-related materials, such as soil stockpiles, pieces of unused concrete culverts, wooden survey stakes and steel right of way markers that might be buried beneath the snow.

Silt fences, which control water runoff during the spring, also pose a threat to snowmobile riders. The fences are made of black fabric reinforced with woven wire and held in place by steel posts. They are usually placed across ditch bottoms located near culverts, bridges, streams and lakes.

All snowmobiles must be registered with the state, even if they are operated only on private property. The Washington County License Bureau, located at 2150 Radio Drive, can assist you with registration.

Learn more about snowmobile safety at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.

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Common Code Violations