Toolkit for Neighbors

Development Review

Plans for all new construction permits are reviewed by the City before a building permit is issued. ...

Development Review [-]

Plans for all new construction permits are reviewed by the City before a building permit is issued. The City's Planning Division check's a plan's setbacks, lot coverage and height and ensures the plans abide by the City's zoning code. The Engineering Department checks storm water and drainage, and erosion control. Before, during and after construction, the Building Division makes sure the plans and construction comply with City code and State building laws.

Before Construction Begins

There are a number of steps you can take to gain familiarity with the construction activities near your home, and to protect yourself in the case of any property damage.

Is the Work Permitted?

Permit information can be obtained here. Once you enter the address and get a result, click on the permit number to review the permit details.

Is the Work Permitted? [-]

Permit information can be obtained here. Once you enter the address and get a result, click on the permit number to review the permit details. Note, some steps, like tree clearing, reclamation, etc., do not require permits.

How will the Home be Laid Out?

If you'd like to see a site plan, call the contractor and request to see the design.

Concerns About the Setback of the New Home in Relation to Your Property?

Ask to see a copy of the land survey for the new construction site. A land survey is performed for the purpose of locating, describing, monumenting and mapping the boundaries and corners of a parcel of land. ...

Concerns About the Setback of the New Home in Relation to Your Property? [-]

Ask to see a copy of the land survey for the new construction site. A land survey is performed for the purpose of locating, describing, monumenting and mapping the boundaries and corners of a parcel of land. It may also include mapping of the topography of the parcel, and the location of buildings or other improvements on the parcel. A land survey would define the dimensions of the lot and show whether any of the property is encroaching upon an adjacent parcel.

Compare the survey to the stakes that the surveyor placed in the ground. If the survey looks incorrect, you have the right to hire, at your cost, your own land surveyor to confirm that the property lines have been marked correctly.

How Will I Know Who is Doing the Project?

Prior to beginning any permitted work on the site, a contractor must install a sign identifying the contrator's company name ...

How Will I Know Who is Doing the Project? [-]

Prior to beginning any permitted work on the site, a contractor must install a sign identifying the contractor's company name, contact information, the address of the project, and a contact number for the City of Edina to report problems.

How Can I Learn More About the Contractor?

Once you know the name of the contractor, do some online research. What other houses have they built? ...

How Can I Learn More About the Contractor? [-]

Once you know the name of the contractor, do some online research. What other houses have they built? What features are commonly seen in the developer's residential projects? What have its clients said about them? What about neighbors of those projects?

The State of Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has the authority to license and regulate building contractors and remodelers. Are there any licensing actions or complaints that have been filed against this builder with the State of Minnesota Department of Labor? Click here to check their history.

Attend the Pre-construction Meeting

For a demolition permit, at least 15 days before demolition occurs, the permit holder must provide written notification to all property owners within 300 feet of the demolition site notifying the property owners of a proposed demolition and invite them to a neighborhood meeting. ...

Attend the Pre-construction Meeting [-]

For a demolition permit, at least 15 days before demolition occurs, the permit holder must provide written notification to all property owners within 300 feet of the demolition site notifying the property owners of a proposed demolition and invite them to a neighborhood meeting. The neighborhood meeting must be held at least five days for demolition begins.

Attending this meeting is highly recommended. Topics discussed may include hours of operation, construction schedule (demolition, excavation, deliveries, concrete work and completion date), storm water and erosion control, noise mitigation, dust control, equipment, etc.

Bring a list of questions you want to ask. For example, How can work be coordinated so that trucks don't block the street any more than necessary? Who is going to take responsibility for shoveling the snow from the sidewalk?

Make sure that whatever information is communicated to the neighbors is also being communicated to the subcontractors. Has the contractor conveyed pertinent information and laws to its subcontractors?

Document Everything

In the event of damage to your property that may be caused by the nearby construction activity, it is in your best interest to have evidence showing how your property ...

Document Everything [-]

In the event of damage to your property that may be caused by the nearby construction activity, it is in your best interest to have evidence showing how your property looked before the construction began.

Photograph "before" conditions in the exterior and interior of your home. Include photos of the area between your home and your neighbor's home that is being reconstructed. If you can show where the water flows during a rainstorm, even better.

Construction Management Issues

Construction management issues can be temporary nuisances or permanent conditions. This guide can assist in instructing you how to report any issues that require follow up from City officials.

Construction Management Issues [-]

Construction management issues can be temporary nuisances or permanent conditions. This guide can assist in instructing you how to report any issues that require follow up from City officials.

Click here to file a complaint regarding a residential demolition or new construction site.

Noise and After-Hours Work

Construction and demolition is allowed 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays. No work is permitted on Sundays or holidays. ...

Noise and After-Hours Work [-]

New construction and demolition is allowed 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays. No work is permitted on Sundays or holidays. Hours differ for other types of work (Edina City Code Chapter 23, Article II, Div. 5, Sec. 23-124.)

The City recommends that if a neighbor is disrupted by construction noise outside of allowable hours, contact the Edina Police Department's non-emergency line at 952-826-1600.

Complaints

Should an issue arise, contact the contractor directly to express your complaint or concern. ...

Complaints [-]

Should an issue arise, contact the contractor directly to express your complaint or concern. More often than not, an issue can be resolved this way.

If you do not wish to confront a subcontractor directly on-site, call the contractor's contact information that is posted on the sign at the construction site. The contractor must also accept responsibility for the action of its subcontractors.

If the contractor is not resolving the issue and you would like to determine if your concern can be resolved by enforcement of City Code, please call the Residential Redevelopment Coordinator at 952-833-9521 or fill out the online complaint form.

If You Experience Property Damage

If you experience property damage that you know or suspect was caused by construction activities, contact an attorney for assistance. ...

If You Experience Property Damage [-]

If you experience property damage that you know or suspect was caused by construction activities, contact an attorney for assistance. Disputes between private contractors and property owners are civil matters and the City generally does not intervene in private disputes. Again, be sure to document everything inside and outside of your property, as well as any conversations.

In certain cases (particularly those involving personal safety), it may be appropriate to contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, which may intervene in cases related to consumer protection. Click here to read more about their Consumer Complaint program.

Useful Links

• Edina City Code
• Edina Zoning Code
• Construction Management Plan
• Minnesota State Building Code
• Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
• Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
• Residential Redevelopment Complaint Form

Useful Links [-]

• Edina City Code
• Edina Zoning Code
• Construction Management Plan
• Minnesota State Building Code
• Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
• Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
• Residential Redevelopment Complaint Form