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Wabasha County orders raze or remediation of hazardous property in Zumbro Falls
Summary
After inspections found no water supply, widespread structural damage and refuse, the Wabasha County Board declared the property at 38290 590th Street in Zumbro Falls hazardous and adopted an abatement order directing the owner to remove or raze the structure and authorizing the Public Health Director to pursue legal steps and assess costs if the owner fails to comply.
The Wabasha County Board of Commissioners on May 5 declared the property at 38290 590th Street in Zumbro Falls a hazardous building and hazardous property under Minnesota law and adopted an abatement order requiring the owner to remove or raze the structure.
According to the minutes, County building official inspections on Dec. 8, 2023 and June 24, 2024 found the property uninhabitable, documenting no water supply, no bathing fixtures or functioning sinks and toilets, widespread roof leaks and ceiling collapse in areas, holes in floors, large amounts of refuse obstructing access, and no running water to and through the septic tank. The board's action cites Minn. Stat. § 463.15 in declaring the structure hazardous and Minn. Stat. § 463.161 et seq. as authority to remove hazardous property conditions and assess abatement costs against the real estate if owners fail to comply and the district court sustains the county order.
The minutes state the county attempted to work with owners Arnold and Janet Olson and that the owners "have taken some steps" but have not fully abated the nuisance conditions. The board authorized the Public Health Director, in coordination with the County Attorney or outside counsel, to pursue legal steps to secure compliance, complete full removal and abatement by court order or consent, and assess the costs against the property pursuant to statute.
The minutes do not record a timeline for forcible abatement or an estimated cost; the resolution directs staff to proceed with legal remedies if voluntary compliance is not achieved.
