Neighborhood Conflict and Cities
Minnesota Public Radio featured today a podcast on neighborhood conflict that may be of interest to city attorneys, staff and officials - who often find themselves in the middle of such conflicts.The...
View ArticleRegulating Smoke Part 3: Smoking & Tobacco Products
Welcome to Our Series on Regulating SmokeOne thing I’ve noticed as a city attorney over the years – where there’s smoke, there is likely to be fire, but also heated complaints to city hall. Hard to...
View ArticleSmoke Readers & Zoning Ordinances
Welcome to Our Series on Regulating SmokeOne thing I’ve noticed as a city attorney over the years – where there’s smoke, there is likely to be fire, but also heated complaints to city hall. Hard to...
View ArticleCity Zoning Ordinances Can Be Improved with Images & Diagrams
When drafting the LMC Zoning Guide a few years ago, I included a section called “suggestions for drafting a readable zoning ordinance.” My number one tip was “use graphics, tables, maps and...
View ArticleIs Your Land Use Ordinance Out of Date?
Cities are authorized to adopt land use controls in the form of zoning and subdivision ordinances by a state law known as the “Minnesota Municipal Planning Act.” (MPA). The MPA requires uniformity with...
View ArticleIs Your Liquor Ordinance Tight Enough to Hold Water (Or Beer)?
Its closing time, and you may be wondering where your liquor ordinance is. Is it working for your city? Is it drafted to require patrons to stop drinking and start heading home in a prompt manner? Does...
View ArticleQuick Tips on Understanding & Writing Ordinances
Recently I had the chance to speak to a group of new city clerks. Their excitement for a speech called “Quick Tips on Understanding & Writing Ordinances” took me a little bit by surprise. I was...
View ArticleHow to Select a Codifier for City Ordinances
Hiring a codifier for city ordinances is a unique process – very different from purchasing city vehicles or equipment. When the quotes for services arrive and the (sometimes significant) money needs to...
View ArticleOrdinances Can Help Cities Preserve Streets
The need to maintain street infrastructure is a pressing and real concern for many cities in these tight budget times. It’s no secret that city streets cost a lot of money. The cost of street building...
View ArticleCity Ordinances on Feeding Wild Animals
Some nuisances are easy to spot – they are as large as the rusting car in the neighbor’s front yard. Some nuisances are a little harder to define and their far-reaching effects more difficult to...
View Article5,000 Clicks! Thanks for Reading!
After just a few months of being up and running -the LMC Codification Blog has hit 5,000 clicks! So its time to say "thanks!" for reading! thanks for commenting! As always, if you have any questions...
View ArticleOrdinance Language for Inspections & the Fourth Amendment
Often I see language related to entry onto and inspection of private property in city ordinances. For example:The authorized employees of the City, bearing proper credentials and identification, shall...
View ArticleVroom! Vroom! City Ordinances, Golf Carts, Scooters & Mini-Trucks
These days residents have many options for getting around town. With all the motorized scooters, mini-trucks, mini-bikes, golf carts and ATVs on the market, some might worry that city streets are...
View ArticleTips for Drafting City Licensing Ordinances
Cities license certain businesses and activities to protect the public health and welfare. Often a licensed activity is hazardous in its own right or may be harmless on its own, but prone to hazardous...
View ArticleDrafting Licensing Ordinances Part II
In my last entry on drafting licensing ordinances, I suggested that the bulk of any licensing ordinance will be devoted to minimizing hazards or nuisances associated with the licensed activity. Since...
View ArticleThe Barking Dog Blues: Ordinance Standards for Dogs
At some point, we have all probably had to listen to a neighbor’s dog barking its head off. And speaking as someone who has lived next to overzealous barkers, I know it can be really annoying. Barking...
View ArticleOrdinances on Disposing Animals in City Custody
While not a pleasant thing to think (or read) about, there may come a time when your city has to dispose of an animal in its custody. Cities generally do have the authority to dispose of animals in...
View ArticleMeet the new bloggers!
I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself as the new blogger for the LMC Codification Service Blog. I am Alexis (Lexi) Stangl and have been a staff attorney in the research department at the...
View ArticleMSBA Top 25 Blawg for 2010
Want another reason to follow the LMC Codification Service Blog? Here it is: the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) recently named this blog as one of its top 25 blawgs (law blog) for 2010! We are...
View ArticleNew Year, New Resources
I wanted to take a minute to wish all of the readers a very happy 2011! I hope that your new year is off to a great start. As we start a new year, I wanted to mention a couple of new items that might...
View ArticleRegulating firearms in the city
In light of the recent horrific shooting spree in Arizona, some cities might be wondering how they can tighten up city ordinances on the regulation of firearms. Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot...
View ArticleWho will board the windows and doors?
Over on Maple Lane there is a house that no one lives in. Maybe it has been foreclosed? Maybe it is a rental that no one wants to rent? It could be any number of things. But one thing that is certain...
View ArticleHot topic: Can cities regulate private wells?
Let’s talk about wells and city water. Does your city provide water to the community? What if one of the bigger businesses in your city decides to drill their own well, not to use for drinking water...
View ArticleWater Conservation Rate Structures in Ordinance
What’s all this buzz about a conservation rate structure and city water?The idea is, the more water you use, the more you pay. A state law tries to make conserving water pay -- and using water cost you...
View ArticleCheers to the Mankato Moondogs and Duluth Huskies!
Update your city code! A plethora of new liquor licenses have sprouted this summer, in spite of the state shutdown.Cities may now issue an on-sale wine license and an on-sale malt liquor license to a...
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