- Home
- Services
- Development Services
- Planning & Zoning
- Common Code Requirements
Common Code Requirements
Below is a list of City Code requirements for the most common types of code violations. Within each tab, you will find direct links to the full ordinances. You can also search through our full list of ordinances online.
Detached accessory buildings not exceeding 200 square feet in floor area do not require a building permit but must receive a zoning permit before they are constructed or moved onto the property. These structures must be set back at least 6’ from any other building or structure on the same lot. Detached accessory buildings greater than 200 square feet in floor area require a building permit. These structures must be set back at least 10’ from any other building or structure on the same lot. No more than 1 detached accessory building in addition to 1 attached or detached garage is allowed on a lot. Lakeville City Code 11-18-7
Dogs
Residents are not allowed to own more than 3 dogs except as a licensed kennel. Lakeville City Code 11-35-3
Nuisance barking
Barking dogs are considered a violation of our City Code. Anyone wishing to report a barking dog should call 911 while the dog is barking to have a police officer dispatched to witness the violation in order for a potential citation to be issued. Lakeville City Code 5-1-9
Pet waste
Pet owners are responsible for immediately cleaning up their pet’s waste and disposing of it in a sanitary manner. Lakeville City Code 5-1-17
Leashes
Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 25’ when in a City park or on a City street, trail or sidewalk, except dogs that have passed the canine good citizen test certification program or its approved equivalent. Lakeville City Code 5-1-9
Cats
There are no ordinances regarding cats.
Coyotes
Coyotes are a part of our community and we must learn to live with them. We have tips and facts about them on our Coyotes in Lakeville webpage.
For other animal-related concerns, call Lakeville Police by dialing 911, or leave a message for a Community Service Officer at 952-985-2880.
Chickens may be allowed on a single-family property within a residential zoning district subject to approval of an administrative permit. Lakeville City Code 11-35-3
- Under age 12: Sunday-Thursday 9 p.m.-5 a.m., Friday & Saturday 10 p.m.-5 a.m.
- Ages 12-14: Sunday-Thursday 10 p.m.-5 a.m., Friday & Saturday 11 p.m.-5 a.m.
- Ages 15-17: Sunday-Thursday 11 p.m.-5 a.m., Friday & Saturday midnight-5 a.m.
Many privately owned parcels in the community abut outlots or land owned by the City for the purposes of housing drainage infrastructure and utilities, stormwater ponds, wetlands/natural areas and parks/trails/open space. It is a liability for the City and a violation of the City Code to place sheds, play structures or store materials of any kind within these areas. Further, no gardening, tree removal or mowing may occur outside of private property. Lakeville City Code 11-17-11
A zoning permit is required for construction of any fence less than 7' in height within a front yard or for a property line fence. A fence 7’ in height or greater requires a building permit. The owner of the property upon which a fence now exists, or the property owner on which the fence is to be constructed and the owner(s) of the adjoining properties will enter into an agreement regarding the location of the fence. Lakeville City Code 11-21-5
Any mobile food unit selling food in Lakeville must be licensed and inspected by the Lakeville Fire Department, whether it is on private, public or park property. Lakeville City Code Chapter 23
You can also visit the Lakeville Fire Department's webpage for more information.
Every household is required to have one or more cans sufficient to receive all waste that accumulates between the times of collection. All cans must be kept in a good state of repair and with secure lids or covers to properly contain the waste. On the day of collection, cans may be placed near the street, but not within the traveled portion of the roadway, at designated collection times but not for more than 24 hours. At all other times, cans must be stored either within the principle or an accessory structure, or more than 5' feet of the property line within the side or rear yard. Lakeville City Code 11-18-11
Any accumulation of waste that is not stored within containers or is stored anywhere else on the property for more than one week is considered a nuisance violation. Lakeville City Code 4-1-5
Weeds or grass that exceed 8" in length are considered a public nuisance and are prohibited on the following properties:
- On any lot with a building
- On any lot, outlot or parcel less than 1 acre in area without a building
If an owner or occupant of a property is not in compliance with the length limitation for grass and weeds after 7 days' advance written notice of the noncompliance, the City may cut the grass and weeds and assess the cost against the property. Lakeville City Code 4-1-3
Home businesses require an administrative permit. Lakeville City Code Chapter 32
Disturbance from loud music, parties or large gatherings of people, and vehicles (revving engine noise, squealing tires, loud exhaust pipes) or any other noise audible within 50' of the source is considered a nuisance and a violation of the City Code.
Operating or permitting the use of any machine that produces or reproduces sound in a distinct and loudly audible manner that disturbs the peace, quiet or comfort of anyone nearby is not allowed. The following activities are prohibited between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. (except for snow removal equipment):
- Grading activities such as operating an engine and starting heavy equipment
- The use of any power tools such as saws, jackhammers or air compressors
- The use of domestic maintenance equipment such as lawn mowers, grass/weed trimmers or leaf blowers
- Repair and servicing of motor vehicles, recreational vehicles or other equipment
All materials and equipment must be stored within a building such as a garage or shed, unless listed below:
- Clothesline poles
- Play equipment
- Construction and landscaping material currently being used on the premises
- Recreational equipment or furniture used and constructed explicitly for outdoor use
Lakeville City Code Chapter 22
All vehicle requirements
Motor vehicles cannot be parked on any city street or alley for more than 48 consecutive hours. Between November 1 and April 1, motor vehicles or recreational vehicles cannot be parked on any street or alley between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Lakeville City Code 6-1-1-3
No commercial vehicle or equipment shall be parked or stored in a rural or residential district except when loading, unloading or rendering a service. Contracting, excavating equipment or other commercial vehicles and equipment may not be parked or stored on any property in the city unless it is being used in conjunction with a temporary service benefiting the premises. Lakeville City Code 11-19-7 and Lakeville City Code 11-22-3
Vehicles for sale
Motor vehicles and recreational vehicles may be advertised for sale and sold provided the following requirements are met:
- The vehicle is owned by the resident where it is parked
- The vehicle is currently licensed and operable
- The vehicle must be parked entirely on the driveway
- The vehicle cannot be stored in the right-of-way
- The vehicle cannot be a commercial vehicle
Motor vehicle parking requirements on private property (off-street)
Motor vehicles that are stored outside must be parked on a hard surface such as the driveway, or within a covered building like the garage. Motor vehicles cannot be parked on the grass. If stored outside, vehicles must be operable, meaning they are licensed in the State of Minnesota (collector plates if applicable) and in a state of good repair. Junk motor vehicles are declared a nuisance and cannot be stored outside on the property. Motor vehicles cannot obstruct a public sidewalk or trail. Lakeville City Code Chapter 19
Recreational vehicle parking permitted ONLY on private property
No more than 2 recreational vehicles may be parked as follows:
- In the front yard – so long as they are parked on an established driveway
- In the side yard – so long as they are farther than 5' from a side lot line/not within a buffer yard, parked on asphalt, concrete or paving bricks, and farther than 20' from the property line on a corner lot
- In the rear yard – so long as they are parked 10' from the rear lot line and 5' from a side lot line/not within a buffer yard
Recreational vehicles may NOT be parked or stored on public property or street rights-of-way. Recreational vehicles include all types of utility trailers, campers, tent/pop-up trailers, motor homes, converted buses, boats, snowmobiles, ice houses and ATVs. Lakeville City Code 11-22-3
A recreational fire must be no more than 3' in diameter, completely surrounded by non-combustible and non-smoke or odor-producing material, either natural rock, cement, brick, tile, blocks or ferrous metal. Burning barrels are not a recreational fire site. Recreational fire sites may not be located closer than 25' to any structure or combustible material. Recreational fires are not permitted when a burning ban or air quality alert is in effect. Lakeville City Code 8-4-3
Open burning of anything that emits combustion products directly into the atmosphere is prohibited. Lakeville City Code 8-4-3
Advertising signs are prohibited within the City of Lakeville. An advertising sign is any sign used to advertise products, goods or services not exclusively related to the premises on which the sign is located. For example, any signs advertising work from home, weight loss programs, home for sale, open house, real estate development, garage sales, or other similar signs that are posted in the public right-of-way, at a busy intersection or on public signs or public utility poles are in violation of sign ordinances. Lakeville City Code Chapter 23
Property owners are required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within 48 hours after the snow or ice has been deposited. If the owner is not in compliance, the City may remove the snow or ice and assess the cost against the property owner after 2 days' advance written notice of noncompliance. Lakeville City Code 7-3-8
- Odd/even and time-of-day watering restrictions are in effect May 1 through September 30 each year. Residents can only water every other day, based on the last digit of their house number. If your house number ends in an even number, water only on even-numbered calendar days. If your house number ends in an odd number, water only on odd-numbered days.
- Homeowners associations and apartment complexes that provide a common irrigation system may water only every other day. Homeowners associations and apartments north of 185th Street may water on odd-numbered calendar days and those south of 185th Street may water on even-numbered days.
- In addition, watering is only allowed before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m. each day. Watering during the heat of the day wastes water due to evaporation.