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Chapter V.  Municipal Regulation

and Licensing  

Part 1.  General Licensing and Permit Provisions  

501.01.  Licenses and permits.  Subdivision 1.  General Rule.  Except as otherwise provided in this code, all licenses and permits granted by the city shall be governed by the provisions of this part.  

  Subd. 2.  Acts prohibited.  No person shall conduct any activity or use any property for which a license or permit is required by law or this code without a currently valid license or permit for such activity or use.  

  Subd. 3.  Application.  Every application for a license shall be made to the clerk on a form the clerk provides.  It shall be accompanied by payment to the clerk of the prescribed fee. If, after investigation, the clerk is satisfied that all requirements of law and this code have been met, the clerk shall present the application to the council for action or, if the license or permit does not require council approval, the clerk shall issue the license or permit.

 

501.02.  Not transferable.  No license issued by the city may be transferred from one person to another without permission of the council.  When the council permits the transfer of a license, it may waive any residency requirement, but only for the required term of the license.  

501.03.  Revocation.  Any license may be revoked by the council for a violation of the section or chapter under which it is issued.  However, the revocation must follow any procedure provided in the section or chapter in question.  

501.04.  Appeal.  Any person who has made application which has been denied or not acted upon with 30 days after the application may apply directly to the council for a license.  The application to the council shall contain the same information required in the original application, plus any additional information that the council may require or that the applicant may feel is pertinent.  The council may grant the license, after hearing, if the requirements of this code are substantially complied with, and in the opinion of the council granting the license would be in the best interest of the public.    

   

Part 2.  Cigarette Licenses  

502.01.  License required.  No person, firm, or corporation shall directly or indirectly or by means of any device keep for retail sale, sell at retail or otherwise dispose of any cigarette, cigarette paper, or cigarette wrapper at any place in the city unless a license therefor shall first have been obtained.  

502.02.  Application.  In the cigarette license application, the applicant shall make full disclosure of all matter relating to the applicant's name, age, the business in connection with which the proposed license will operate and its location, and such other information as may be required by the council.  

502.03.  Fees.  The fee for every license shall be $12.00 per year.  The fee for a cigarette vending machine shall be regulated by the council.  

502.04.  License shall be displayed.  Every license shall be kept conspicuously posted at the location for which the license is issued and shall be exhibited to any person upon request.  

502.05.  Restrictions.  Subdivision 1.  Character.  No license shall be issued except to a person of good moral character.  

  Subd. 2.  Drugs. No person shall keep for sale, sell, or dispose of any cigarette containing opium, morphine, jimson weed, bella donna, strychnia, cocaine, marijuana, or any other deleterious or poisonous drug except nicotine.  No person shall sell any substance, the use of which is prohibited by law.  

   

Part 3.  Public Dances  

503.01.  Definition.  The term "public dance" shall be taken to apply to any place in which dancing may be or is carried on, other than a private residence; and the term "public dance" shall be taken to apply to every dance held in a public dancing place, whether an admission fee is charged or not.  

503.02.  License required.  No person shall conduct a public dance in this city unless a license shall have been procured therefor from the clerk.  

503.03.  Fee.  The license fee shall be $5.00 per dance, provided that any lodge or society not organized or maintained for profit may conduct public dances upon the payment of $1 fee per dance.  

503.04.  Application.  Any person or persons desiring a permit to hold or conduct a public dance in the city shall make application therefor on blanks furnished by the clerk.  The applications shall set forth the name and address of the person, person, committee, or organization which is to conduct the dance; time and place where such dance is to be held; and the area of the dance floor.  The application shall also show affirmatively that all the applicants are of good moral character and reputation in the communities in which they live, and that none of the applicants has been convicted of a felony, gross misdemeanor, or of violating any ordinance or law regulating dances any place in the United States.  The clerk shall issue the license if in the clerk's opinion the public health or safety will not suffer therefrom.  In case the license be issued, the same  shall be posted in a public place in the dance hall described therein during the time the dance is being given, and the persons named in the license shall be responsible under the law for the manner in which such dance is to be held and conducted.  

503.05.  Police protection required.  It shall be a condition of any permit issued under this part that the applicant shall provide at the applicant's own expense policing of the immediate and surrounding area of the building or area in or upon which said dance is held by a police officer approved by the chief of police.  The failure to provide such policing shall constitute grounds for the immediate revocation of the license.      

 

Part 4. Peddlers  

504.01.  License Required.  No solicitor, peddler, hauler, or transient vendor of merchandises without having been requested or invited to do so by the owner or owners, occupant or occupants shall enter a private residence of the city for the purpose of soliciting orders for the sale of goods, wares, and merchandise, or for the purpose of disposing of or peddling or hauling the same, without first obtaining a license therefor.  

504.02.  Application.  Before any license shall be issued to any person to vend, sell, hawk, or peddle goods, the person desiring such license shall file a written application with the clerk.  Said application shall show:  

  a.  The name of the applicant and the persons associated with the applicant in the business;

    b.  Type of business for which the license is desired;

    c.  The length of time for which said license is to be desired;  

  d.  A general description of the thing or things to be sold;  

  e.  The present place of business of the applicant.  

  f.  References  

504.03.  Issuance fee.  Every application for a license under this ordinance shall bear the written approval of the city chief of police or mayor after an investigation of the moral character of the applicant.  When the applicant presents to the clerk an application in proper form for any business not prohibited by law, the applicant shall pay a fee of  $25.00 to cover the cost of said application.    

504.04.  Exclusion by placard.   Any resident of the city who wishes to exclude peddlers or solicitors from premises the resident occupies may place upon or near the usual entrance to such premises a printed placard or sign bearing the following notice:   "Peddlers and Solicitors Prohibited."  Such placard shall be at least three and three-quarter inches long and three and three-quarters inches wide and the printing thereon shall not be smaller than 48-point type.  No peddler or solicitor shall enter in or upon any premises or attempt to enter in or upon any premises, where such placard or sign is placed and maintained.  

504.05.  Defacing placards.  No person other than the person occupying such premises shall remove injure or deface such placard or sign.    

   

Part 5. Fireworks  

505.01.  License Required.  No person shall use or explode any fireworks as defined in Minn. Stat. 624.20 without a license therefor.  

505.02.  Application.  Every application for such a license shall be made in writing to the clerk at least 15 days in advance of the date of the display.  The application shall be promptly referred to the fire marshal, who shall make an investigation to determine whether the operator of the display is competent and whether the display is of such a character and is to be so located, discharged, or fire that it will not be hazardous to property or endanger any person.  The first marshal shall report the findings of this investigation to the clerk and if the marshal reports that in the marshal's opinion the operator is competent and that the display as planned will conform to safety requirements, including the rules and regulations of the state fire marshal,  the clerk shall issue a license for the display.  

505.03.  Fee.  The license shall not be issued until a fee of $25.00 is paid for each day of  display.    

   

Part 6.  Garbage and Rubbish  

506.01.  Purposes.  In order to provide for a continuous system of refuse collection and disposal in a manner which meets the needs and conveniences of the residents of this city and in order to protect the area from the problems of uncoordinated, unsanitary, and improper solid waste disposal, the Council hereby determines that it is in the best interest of the residents of the city to require licenses of persons collecting and/or hauling garbage and rubbish for hire, reserving to the city the right and authority to grant an exclusive refuse collection franchise to a single operator.  

506.02.  License required.  No persons may collect or haul garbage or rubbish within the city without first obtaining a written license therefore from the council.  An application for license shall be submitted in writing to the city clerk and shall contain the following information:  

  a. Name and address of the applicant;  

  b.  Description of the equipment which will be used within the city by the applicant.  

  c.  A schedule of the rate that will be charged by the applicant for the various categories of customers within the city;  

  d.  Evidence of compliance with the other applicable sections of this chapter.  

The application for a license shall be accompanied by the license fee of $10.00 which shall be refunded if the license be denied.     The annual fee will be the amount herein stated.   Application for renewal of a license shall be submitted  in writing to the clerk on or before December 1 of each year, and shall contain the information required by the initial application for a license, as stated above.  Licenses shall be for a term of one year commencing January 1 of each year, but may be issued on a pro rata basis.  

506.03.  Garbage and rubbish defined.  For the purpose of this part, garbage and rubbish are defined to include garbage and rubbish of all kinds that accumulate in the ordinary operation of a household, grass trimmings, ashes, tree branches, leaves, and other refuse small enough to go into a 20-gallon garbage can.  

506.04.  Franchise.  The council may exercise its reserved right to provide for a franchise to a single operator for the collection of garbage and rubbish within the city.  

506.05.  Suspension of license or franchise.  A franchise or license issued under the provisions of this part may be revoked or suspended for a violation of this part or other applicable regulations of law, upon a showing that the franchisee or licensee has failed to comply with the same.  

506.06.  Financial responsibility.  The licensee or franchisee shall show financial responsibility or a certificate of insurance coverage prior to obtaining the license or franchise whereby each vehicle to be used by said licensee or franchisee shall be covered against loss or injury in the following amounts:  $200,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and $200,000 to any claimant in any other case; $600,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence.  Said licensee or franchisee shall also provide evidence of workers compensation insurance for employees.   Such insurance policy shall be for the full term of the license or franchise and shall provide for the giving of 10 days prior notice to the city of the termination or cancellation of said policies.  In case any of said policies are terminated, the license or franchise shall be automatically revoked upon receipt by the clerk of said termination or cancellation.  

506.07.  Design of equipment.   All trucks or motor vehicles used by the licensee or franchisee shall be watertight so as not to allow the leakage of liquids or refuse while hauling the same and shall be covered with a metal covering to prevent the scattering of its contents upon the public streets or private properties in the city.  Vehicles shall meet state DOT requirements.    

506.08.  Inspection.  All vehicles used for garbage or rubbish shall be made available for inspection within the city at such times and places as the council shall designate.    

506.09.  Bond.  The franchisee or licensee(s) may be required to furnish a surety bond in such amount as the council deems necessary running to and approved by the council, guaranteeing the franchisees' (licensee) faithful and continuous performance of the terms of the franchise, license, or contract and of this ordinance.  

506.10.  Metal and plastic cans.  Every household or occupant of any dwelling house, boarding house, restaurant, or any place of business, having garbage to dispose of, who does not otherwise provide for the disposal of garbage in a sanitary manner, shall provide one or more fly-tight metal or plastic cans sufficient to receive all garbage which may accumulate between the times of collection.  

506.11.  Accumulations.  No person shall fail to dispose of in a sanitary manner garbage and rubbish accumulated upon property the person owns or occupies.  

506.12.  Dumping. All garbage and rubbish accumulating between the times of collection shall be placed and stored in approved cans or containers.  

506.13.  Container placements.  Garbage cans shall be kept at the rear of the property if there is an alley, and shall be accessible to collectors at all reasonable times.    

   

Part 7.  Circuses, Theatrical Performances,

Amusements, Shows, and Exhibitions  

507.01.  License required.  No person except a local school, lodge, society or charitable organization, none of which are organized or maintained for profit, shall hold, promote, advertise for, or otherwise engage in offering opening to the public a circus, theatrical performance, amusement, show or exhibition without first obtaining from the council a license therefor.  

507.02.  Fee.  The license fee shall be determined by council as needed for each day that the activity is conducted, offered, or held open for the public, whichever is less.  

507.03.  Application.  Any person or persons desiring to engage in activities regulated under this section shall make application for such license on a form furnished by the clerk.  The application shall set forth the name and address of the person, persons, committee, or organization which is to conduct the regulated activity; state the times and places where such activities are to be held or conducted and state the nature of the activity for which the license is sought.  The application shall also contain such other information as is reasonable requested by the clerk.  In the event the license is issued, the same shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises at which the activity is conducted.  

507.04.  Deposit required.  As a condition for the issuance of a license the applicant shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $500.00, dedicated to cleaning up and restoring the area used to its state existing prior to the commencement of the activity licensed.  The licensee shall have a period of 24 hours following the termination of the activity with which to clean up and restore the area or premises.  The clerk or other authorized personnel of the city may examine the area to see if the conditions herein stated have been complied with.  Upon compliance, the clerk shall refund the deposit of $500.00.  The refusal of or failure by the licensee to comply with the conditions of this section shall constitute a release of any claim to the deposited sum by the licensee, and said sum shall thereafter be forfeited to the city for the purposes of cleaning up and restoring the area or premises, any balance remaining thereafter shall be deemed liquidated damages and are forfeited to the city for failure to comply with this section.    

   

Part 8.  Dogs, Cats, and Other Animals  

  508.01.  Definitions.  As used in this part, the terms shall mean the following.  

            a.  Owner.  Any person, group of persons, or legal entity owning, keeping, or harboring a dog or dogs, cat or cats.  

            b.  Harborer.  The harborer of a dog or cat shall be any person who has custody of any dog or cat or permits a dog or cat to be kept or to stay on or about the harborer's premises.  

            c.   At large.  A dog or cat shall be termed at large when it is not under restraint, as defined herein.  

            d.  Restraint.  A dog or cat is under restraint if it is controlled by a leash not exceeding eight feet in length; or if it is under the voice or signal command of a competent person, providing that the dog or cat will immediately respond to and obey the voice or signal commands of such  person;  or if it is within the boundaries of the owner's or harborer's premises.  

            e.  Police.  The police officers of the city, or any person, firms or agency hired or engaged by the city to assist the police in the performance of their duties.  

508.02.  Licensing. No person shall own, keep or harbor a dog or cat unless such dog or cat is licensed as provided herein.  

508.03.  License application.  Application shall be made in writing at the office of the clerk.  The application shall state the name and address of the owner of the dog or cat, the name, breed, age, sex, and color of the dog or cat, and be accompanied by a certificate of vaccination from a qualified veterinarian certifying that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies, or has received a booster shot therefore, within the 24 month period immediately preceding the application.  

508.04.  License fee.  The license fee shall be $5.00 for each dog or cat.  The license fee shall be paid at the time of making the application.  

508.05.  Term of license.  All dog or cat licenses shall be issued for the duration of the rabies vaccination.  A permit must be obtained within  30 days for any dog or cat brought into and kept in the city.  

508.06.   Dogs and cats not requiring licensing.  No license shall be required of dogs and cats less than three months of age.  

508.07.  Tag and collar.  All dogs and cats shall be harnessed or collared.   The clerk shall upon issuance of a license provide the applicant with a metallic tag which shall be dated and numbered, and which shall be securely fastened to the animal's collar or harness at all times.  

508.08.    Restraint of dogs.  No dog shall be permitted to be at large in the city.  All dogs shall be under restraint at all times.  

508.09.  Confinement of certain animals.  The owner or harborer shall confine within a building or secure enclosure any fierce, dangerous or vicious dog or cat, and not permit such animal out of such confinement unless and until it is securely muzzled and in control of a competent person.  

508.10.  Animals creating nuisance prohibited.  No person shall keep or harbor an animal which barks or howls, or otherwise constitutes a nuisance.  

508.11.  Impounding animals.  The police or any other duly appointed person, may take and impound any animal which is not being kept, confined or restrained in a manner consistent with the requirements of this regulation.  Such police or person may enter upon private premises where it appears that there is reasonable cause to believe that an animal is not being kept, confined, or restrained as herein required.  

508.12  Notice to owner.  Immediately upon the impounding of an animal wearing a  current license tag, the police shall make every reasonable effort to notify the owner or harborer of such impoundment, and of the conditions whereby the owner or harborer may regain custody of the animal.  Verbal notice shall be immediately confirmed in writing by the police.  

508.13.  Reclaiming impounded animal.  Any animal impounded hereunder may be reclaimed by the owner or harborer of same with five days after receiving notice of such impoundment, excluding Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays, upon payment to the clerk of an impounding fee of $30.00,  together with the actual costs incurred for boarding.  If the animal being reclaimed has no license, and a license is required, a license shall be issued and the fee for same paid prior to the release from impoundment.  

508.14.  Dogs which cannot be impounded.  If an animal is rabid, or otherwise diseased, vicious or dangerous, and cannot be impounded after a reasonable effort without serious risk to the impounder or others, such animal may be immediately killed.  

508.15.  Selling of impounded animals.  No ordinance on record.  

508.16.  Rabies shots required, penalties for violation.  It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, or harbor a dog within the city, if the dog has not had a vaccination for rabies within the time required under standard veterinary practices.  

508.17.  Dogs in heat.  Any female dog in heat shall be kept confined indoors, or impounded for the duration of their season (Oestrus cycle) in a commercial dog kennel, the cost of which shall be borne by the owner.  

508.18.  Biting dogs to be quarantined.  Whenever any dog has bitten a person, the owner or custodian of such dog or animal having been so notified, either orally or in writing shall immediately quarantine said dog or animal at the owner's home or other suitable place of confinement, as directed by the responsible office of the city for a period of 14 days after the occurrence. During the quarantine period the animal shall be securely confined in a building or in a yard enclosed by a fence so constructed that the animal cannot escape or otherwise leave said enclosure, and which will not permit other animals or persons to enter, for the purpose of preventing the animal from biting or otherwise coming in contact with persons or other animals.  Upon a reasonable suspicion that the dog may be rabid, the dog shall be subjected to the necessary tests by a doctor of veterinary medicine for the purpose of determining it if it is infected with rabies.  The confinement testing, treatment, in addition to all other expenses incurred as the result of a dog biting a person shall be the expense of the owner of said animal.  

508.19.  Cat or animals  of allied genera.  It shall be the obligation and responsibility of the owner of any animal of this class to prevent such animal from molesting, defiling or destroying any property public or private.  

It shall be unlawful for any owner of an animal of this class to permit or allow a animal to roam or engage in activities which otherwise constitute a nuisance.  

508.20.  Certain animals regulated.  It shall be unlawful to keep or harbor in the city any of the following animals, or animals of allied genera without first obtaining a written permit therefor from the council:  horses, cows, sheep, goats, swine, chickens, animals of the genus reptilia or allied genera which are venomous or of the constrictor type, or birds.  No animals shall be harbored in the city the keeping in captivity of which is prohibited by law.    

508.21.  Revocation of license or permit.  The failure of any owner to comply with the requirements of this chapter shall constitute grounds for the immediate revocation of any license or permit issued under this chapter.        

Part 9.  Bingo, Other Lawful Gambling, and Video Games of Chance

  509.01.  Statute  incorporated by reference.  The provisions of Minn. Stat. Sections 349.11 through 349.60 (1988) are incorporated by reference and made a part hereof as if fully set out herein.  

509.02.  Additional regulations.  The following regulations shall apply to the conduct of bingo and other lawful gambling within the city in addition to the provisions of Minn.  Stat. 349.11-349.60.  

  Subd. 1.  Licenses or permit required.  The unlicensed or unpermitted conduct of bingo or lawful gambling within the city is prohibited.  Any organization authorized by law to conduct bingo or lawful gambling occasions may do so only after applying for and receiving a license from the state charitable gambling control board after approval of the city council or, if no state license is required, after applying for and receiving a permit from the city council as hereafter provided.  

  Subd. 2.  Application.  Those interested in conducting lawful gambling which is otherwise exempt from licensing under Minn. Stat. 349.214, shall apply for a bingo or lawful gambling permit to the council upon forms prepared by the clerk for that purpose.   The application shall state where the games will be played and the dates and hours for which permission to play the games  is requested.  The organization shall not conduct lawful gambling at any place, date or time other than those specified in the application.  The application shall be verified by a duly authorized officer of the organization and by the designated gambling manager.  No application shall be accepted by the city unless accompanied by the required investigation fee.  

  Subd. 3.  Investigation fee.   The council by resolution may assess an investigation fee up to $100 on organizations applying for or renewing a state license or local permit to contact lawful gambling in the city.  State licenses shall be for the term listed on the license.  Permits shall expire upon the date listed on the permit or 12 months after issuance.  

  Subd. 4. Fidelity bond.  As a condition of permitting, the council may require the permit applicant to provide a fidelity bond in the sum of $10,000 in favor of the organization.  Such bond shall be conditioned on the faithful performance by the manager of his or her duties.  The bond shall not be cancellable except upon 30 days written notice to the city.  The council may by unanimous vote agree to waive the fidelity bond requirement.  If such waiver is granted the permit must be endorsed to indicate such action.  

  Subd. 5.  Copies of reports.  All licenses shall furnish to the city copies of any and all reports required by law to be filed with the state charitable gambling control board.  All permittees shall furnish, at the request of the city, reports and records on the operation of lawful gambling including but not limited to gross receipts, expenses, and profits.  

  Subd. 6.  Revocation.  No licenses or permittee shall have a vested right in any license of permit issues hereunder, and permits issued hereunder may be revoked by the council an any time.  Licenses and permits shall be revoked upon a showing that the licensee or permittee violated or cause to be violated any provisions of this section, or of state law regulating the licensing or conduct of lawful gambling.  The license or permit shall also be revoked in the event of any misrepresentation in the license or permit application or any reports required of the licensee or permittee to be made.    

Part 10.  Contractor Licenses  

510.01.  Contractor Licenses.  Subdivision 1.  Purpose.  It is deemed in the interest of the public and the residents of the city that any person, firm, or corporation who engages in the business of building construction or related work, as defined in this part, shall first secure a license therefor as provided herein.  

  Subd. 2.  Applications.  Applications for said license shall be made to the city clerk and such license shall be granted upon proof of the applicant's qualifications therefor and upon filing a bond in the amount of $5,000 conditioned upon compliance with the provisions of said city code and the filing of certificates evidencing the holding of public liability in insurance in the limits of $200,000 per person, $600,000 per accident or bodily injury and $50,000 for property damages and certificate of workers' compensation insurance as required by law.  

  Subd. 3. Fee.  The license fee shall be $25 annually.  Each license shall expire on the first day of January after the same is issued and shall not be prorated.  

  Subd. 4.  Licenses.  Licenses shall be obtained by every person engaged in the following business or work, with the exemption of those required to hold a state license, in accordance with the applicable ordinances of the city:  

            a.  General contractors including those involved in erection, alteration or repair of buildings;            

            b.  Masonry, cement work, cement block work, block laying or brick work;  

            c.  Heating and ventilation;            

            d.  Roofing;  

            e.  Plastering, stucco work, and sheet rock taping;                        

            f.  Excavation, including excavations for footings, basements, and grading of lots;  

            g.  Wrecking of buildings;  

            h.  Plumbing;  

            i.  Landscaping;  

            j.  Signs, including the erection and hanging of same.  

Nothing herein shall be construed as preventing any such qualified licensee from having an employee under the licensee's supervision and control perform the work, or from property owners performing their own work providing they adhere to all provisions of the state building code.  

A license granted to a general contractor shall include the right to perform all of the work included in the contractor's general contract.  Such license shall  include any or all persons performing the work which is classified and listed in their subdivision, provided that each person performing such work is in the regular employ of such general contractor and qualified under state laws and the provisions of this code to perform such work.  In these cases, the general contractor shall be responsible for all of the work so performed. Subcontractors on any work shall be required to comply with the sections of this code pertaining to license, bond, qualifications, etc. for the subcontractor’s particular type of work.      

            Subd. 5.  Public service corporations.  Public service corporations shall be required to obtain licenses for work upon or in connection with their own property, except as may be provided by other sections of this code.  

            Subd. 6.  Liability.  This section shall not be construed to affect the responsibility or liability for any party owning, operating, or installing the above described work, for damages to persons or property caused by any defect therein nor shall the city be held as assuming any such liability by persons, firms, or corporations engaged in such work.