Summer Reminders

The following is a summary of various City policies and ordinances to keep in mind, especially during the summer season.  For additional information contact the City Clerk.  
 
BUILDING PERMITS:  

A Building Permit is required for almost all building projects and construction in the City.  Contact the City Clerk at (507) 245-3494 for a Building Permit Application or for other information before undertaking any building project.  
 
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG:  

Call GOPHER STATE ONE CALL 811 before you dig.  The One Call service will contact all underground utility providers in the area and have the utilities located and marked.  The One Call service is paid for by the utility providers and is at no cost to the property owner. 
 
CURFEW:  

Excerpt from the Blue Earth County (County Wide) Curfew Ordinance. It is unlawful for a juvenile age twelve (12) and under to be present in any public place or establishment within Blue Earth County, any time between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am.                  

It is unlawful for a juvenile age thirteen (13) thru age seventeen (17) to be present in any public place or establishment within Blue Earth County, anytime between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am.
 
GRASS CLIPPINGS, LEAVES and OTHER YARD DEBRIS:  

Residents are asked not to rake leaves or mow grass clippings into the street, curb or gutter.  City storm sewers are designed to carry rain water (commonly referred to as 'storm water'), surface run-off and snow melt to the river.  Storm sewers are not designed to handle leaves, grass clippings and other yard debris.  During rainstorms, grass clippings, leaves and other yard debris can plug storm drains/grates and accumulate in the pipes, contributing to clogs and back-ups.  In heavy rain events these clogs and back-ups can cause flooding.    
 

In addition to grass clippings, leaves and debris, storm water often contains materials found on streets and parking lots such as oil, antifreeze, gasoline, soil, litter, pet wastes, fertilizers and pesticides. When even small amounts of these materials enter lakes and streams, they become pollutants that can kill fish and reduce water aesthetics.    

Grass clippings, leaves, twigs and other yard debris … when it rains, grass clippings, leaves and other yard debris can end up in storm drains, causing blockages. Preventing these blockages is easy. 

  • Compost grass clippings.
  • Keep mowed grass off the street by mowing grass into the yard not into the street.
  • Do not rake grass or leaves into the street or curb/gutter. It can plug city drainage systems.
  • Do not allow soil, leaves or grass clippings to accumulate on driveways, sidewalks, or in streets.
 
GARDEN METER:  

Residents may purchase a second water meter from the City for outside water use.   Sewer fees will not be charged on the water used through the garden meter.  Contact the City Clerk at 245-3494 for more information or to obtain a garden meter.  PLEASE NOTE:  The City does not install the garden meter.  Meters should be installed by a licensed plumber.  
 
NUISANCE PROPERTIES:  

While most yards and properties throughout St. Clair are attractive and well kept, every summer the City receives complaints about unkempt (nuisance) properties.  Properties with unkempt yards, long grass/weeds, old tires, scrap metal, lumber, brush, inoperable and unlicensed vehicles, items stacked and piled around and behind garages and in yards, etc.  The Council encourages residents to take some time to spruce up their property and improve the general appearance of the City. 
 
SEVERE WEATHER SIREN:  

The outdoor early warning siren system is intended to alert people of potentially dangerous conditions.  However, one common misconception about the warning siren is that they will alert people who are indoors to dangerous conditions outdoors.  The sirens are not designed or intended to penetrate all indoor spaces.  While some people may live close enough to hear the siren indoors, this not the intended purpose of the siren.  Sirens are designed to advise people who are outside that a hazardous condition exists or is approaching.  The radio, television, internet or other portable communications technology is the recommended and most effective way to keep informed of dangerous weather conditions when indoors.
 
WALKERS AND BIKERS … IS THE ROUTE YOU ARE TAKING A SHORTCUT OR TRESPASSING??  

Most yards, lots and green spaces within the City are private property.  Please be courteous and respectful of the property, gardens, lawns, flowers, pets and privacy of others.  Do not “cut through” yards … use City sidewalks and streets. 
 
RECREATIONAL CAMPFIRES:  

A 3’ X 3’ recreational campfire using clean, dry, untreated wood is the only type of burning allowed in St. Clair.  Burning leaves and grass is not allowed.  
 
UNLICENSED/INOPERABLE VEHICLES:  

All vehicles must have current tabs and must be in working order.  Vehicles not licensed and not in working order must be stored in a garage or removed from the property.