Minnesota Statutes

Minn. Stat. § 617.81 (2026)

Nuisance; Acts Constituting; Injunction; Notice

✓ current as of May 2026

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Subdivision 1.Injunction.

In order to obtain a temporary injunction under section 617.82 or a permanent injunction or order of abatement under section 617.83, the provisions of sections 617.80 to 617.87 must be followed.

Subd. 2.Acts constituting a nuisance.

(a) For purposes of sections 617.80 to 617.87, a public nuisance exists (1) upon proof of one or more separate behavioral incidents described in item (i), (v), (viii), or (ix), or (2) upon proof of two or more separate behavioral incidents described in item (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi), (vii), or (x), committed within the previous 12 months within the building:

(i) prostitution or prostitution-related activity committed within the building;

(ii) gambling or gambling-related activity committed within the building;

(iii) maintaining a public nuisance in violation of section 609.74, clause (1) or (3);

(iv) permitting a public nuisance in violation of section 609.745;

(v) unlawful sale, possession, storage, delivery, giving, manufacture, cultivation, or use of controlled substances committed within the building;

(vi) unlicensed sales of alcoholic beverages committed within the building in violation of section 340A.401;

(vii) unlawful sales or gifts of alcoholic beverages by an unlicensed person committed within the building in violation of section 340A.503, subdivision 2, clause (1);

(viii) unlawful sales or gifts of alcoholic beverages committed within the building in violation of section 340A.401 or 340A.503, subdivision 2, clause (1), if multiple violations occur during the same behavioral incident when the building is not occupied by the owner or a tenant, lessee, or occupant;

(ix) unlawful use or possession of a dangerous weapon as defined in section 609.02, subdivision 6, committed within the building; or

(x) violation by a commercial enterprise of local or state business licensing regulations, ordinances, or statutes prohibiting the maintenance of a public nuisance as defined in section 609.74 or the control of a public nuisance as defined in section 609.745.

(b) If the building contains more than one rental unit, two or more behavioral incidents must consist of conduct:

(1) anywhere in the building by the same tenant, lessee, occupant, or persons acting in conjunction with or under the control of the same tenant, lessee, or occupant;

(2) by any persons within the same rental unit while occupied by the same tenant, lessee, or occupant, or within two or more rental units while occupied by the same tenant, lessee, or occupant; or

(3) by the owner of the building or persons acting in conjunction with or under the control of the owner.

(c) Proof of a nuisance exists if each of the elements of the conduct constituting the nuisance is established by clear and convincing evidence.

Subd. 2a.

[Repealed, 1995 c 244 s 42]

Subd. 3.

[Repealed, 1995 c 244 s 42]

Subd. 4.Notice.

(a) If a prosecuting attorney has reason to believe that a nuisance is maintained or permitted in the jurisdiction the prosecuting attorney serves, and intends to seek abatement of the nuisance, the prosecuting attorney shall provide the written notice described in paragraph (b), by personal service or certified mail, return receipt requested, to all owners and interested parties known to the prosecuting attorney.

(b) The written notice must:

(1) state that a nuisance as defined in subdivision 2 is maintained or permitted in the building and must specify the kind or kinds of nuisance being maintained or permitted;

(2) summarize the evidence that a nuisance is maintained or permitted in the building, including the date or dates on which nuisance-related activity or activities are alleged to have occurred;

(3) inform the recipient that failure to abate the conduct constituting the nuisance or to otherwise resolve the matter with the prosecuting attorney within 30 days of service of the notice may result in the filing of a complaint for relief in district court that could, among other remedies, result in enjoining the use of the building for any purpose for one year or, in the case of a tenant, lessee, or occupant, could result in cancellation of the lease; and

(4) inform the owner of the options available under section 617.85.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 7 cases, 1989–2014 · leading case: City of West St. Paul v. Krengel, 748 N.W.2d 333 (Minn. Ct. App. 2008).

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City of West St. Paul v. Krengel, 748 N.W.2d 333 (Minn. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 148× “After an August 9, 2007, hearing, the district court denied the motion on the ground that the city had not given Krengel the notice required by Minn.Stat. § 617.81, subd. 4 (2006). On August 15, 2007, after this appeal had been fully briefed and was awaiting oral argument, the…”

City of West St. Paul v. Krengel, 768 N.W.2d 352 (Minn. 2009). · cites it 43× “88 (2008); Minn.Stat. § 617.81, subd. 2(a) (2006). The court of appeals determined that because there was no evidence of nuisance activity at Krengel’s property in the 15 months prior to the hearing, a public nuisance did not exist when the permanent injunction was issued.”

City of St. Paul v. Spencer, 497 N.W.2d 305 (Minn. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 22× “The city argues the trial court erred in concluding Minn.Stat. § 617.81, subd. 3 (1990) requires a notice of conviction be sent to the building owner and other interested parties after each conviction.”

Hvamstad v. Suhler, 727 F. Supp. 511 (D. Minnesota 1989). · cites it 6× “Whenever a city attorney, county attorney, or the attorney general has cause to believe that a nuisance described in section 617.81, subd. 2, exists within the jurisdiction the attorney serves, that attorney may by verified petition seek a temporary injunction in district court…”

City of Minneapolis v. Fisher, 504 N.W.2d 520 (Minn. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 8× “Notices of the first two prostitution convictions were mailed by the district court administrator to the owners and interested parties as required by Minn.Stat. § 617.81. After the City of Minneapolis began this action, there were two additional convictions for prostitution at…”

City of Duluth v. 120 East Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota (Minn. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 12× “Minn. Stat. § 617.81 , subd. 4(a) (2012).”

Hvamstad v. Suhler, 915 F.2d 1218 (8th Cir. 1990). “Minn.Stat.Ann. § 617.81 (West Supp.1990).”

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