Ordinance 7101
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 710
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13, NUISANCES, CHAPTER 18,
SUBDIVISIONS, AND CHAPTER 20, ZONING, OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA,
ORDAINS:
Section 1. Section 13-2(c)(24) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as
follows:
(24) Nuisance light on residential properties.
a. Definitions. In this section:
1. Direct glare means an excessive brightness contrast producing a sensation of
visual discomfort resulting from insufficiently shielded light sources in the field
of view.
2. Intermittent light means any artificial light which flashes, revolves, or fluctuates
in such a manner that the variance is easily distinguished by personal
observation.
3. Light source means a device (such as a lamp) that provides visible energy.
4. Light trespass means light emitted that is visible beyond the boundaries of the
property on which the light source is located.
5. Person means an individual, firm, partnership, trustee, agent, association,
corporation, company, governmental agency, club, or organization of any kind.
b. Direct glare and light trespass declared a nuisance. Glare, light trespass, and
intermittent artificial light impacting on residential properties between the hours of
11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., which cause loss of enjoyment, comfort or repose, and use
of such properties as determined under subsection 13-2(24)c. of this section is declared
a nuisance.
c. Nuisance determined.
1. Light trespass shall be considered a nuisance when it impacts another dwelling
with such intensity as to cause discomfort or annoyance.
2. Direct glare shall be considered a nuisance when an artificial light source has
not been properly located, shielded, directed, or controlled, and as a result, there
is a direct line of sight between the light source or its reflection to another
dwelling with such intensity as to cause discomfort or annoyance.
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3. Intermittent light shall be considered a nuisance when it impacts upon another
dwelling with such intensity and variance as to cause discomfort or annoyance.
d. Production of light nuisance prohibited. No artificial light source shall be installed,
allowed to be installed or permitted on any property in which the light source is an
intermittent light source or due to its intensity or physical characteristics, causes direct
glare or trespasses onto a residential property in such a manner as to cause a nuisance
during the hours of 11:00 p.m. through 7:00 a.m.
e. Responsibility. It shall be the responsibility of every installer of artificial lights and
every owner or occupant of the property on which artificial lights are installed to
comply with subsection 13-2(24)d. of this section.
f. Exemptions. The provisions of subsections 13-2(24)d. and e. of this section shall not
apply where:
1. Such lights are caused to be installed by the federal, state, or local government
or agency to light public ways or areas for public benefit; or
2. Such lights are required by law for safety reasons, and there is no practical way
to control them to eliminate the nuisance.
3. Such lights are porch, garage, and/or motion-activated lights located, directed,
and shielded to illuminate the owner’s property for safety and/or security
reasons, and the light trespass is incidental to these purposes, and reasonable
efforts have been made to mitigate the impact of these lights on neighboring
residences.
Section 2. Section 18-41(a) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
(a) Unless otherwise provided in the development contract for phased development, within one year
after the date of the city council approval of the preliminary plat, the subdivider shall file an
application for approval of the final plat. In addition to the application, the subdivider shall submit:
(1) Copies of the plat in such quantities as is required by the city; and
(2) One mylar of the plat; and
(3) A digital copy in .dxf format and a digital copy in .tif and .pdf format of the final plat shall be
submitted. The digital files must be in the current Carver County coordinate system.
If the final plat application is not filed within this period, the preliminary plat will be considered
void unless, for good cause shown, an extension is requested in writing by the subdivider and
granted by the city council prior to the one-year anniversary date of the preliminary plat approval.
The application for final plat approval shall be filed at least 30 days prior to the meeting of the city
council at which action is desired.
Section 3. Section 20-264 of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
Section 20-264 (Reserved)
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Section 4. Section 20-572(h) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
(h) Temporary real estate office or model home, subject to the requirements of section 20-963.
Section 5. Section 20-592(g) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
(g) Temporary real estate office and model home, subject to the requirements of section 20-963.
Section 6. Section 20-612(f) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
(f) Temporary real estate office and model home, subject to the requirements of section 20-963.
Section 7. Section 20-632(g) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
(g) Temporary real estate office and model home, subject to the requirements of section 20-963.
Section 8. Section 20-642(e) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
(e) Temporary real estate office and model home, subject to the requirements of section 20-963.
Section 9. Section 20-652(d) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
(d) Temporary real estate office and model home, subject to the requirements of section 20-963.
Section 10. The Chanhassen City Code is amended to add Section 20-672(g) to read as follows:
(g) Temporary real estate office and model home, subject to the requirements of section 20-963.
Section 11. Section 20-676(b) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as
follows:
(b) Reserved.
Section 12. Section 20-683(f) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as
follows:
(f) Reserved.
Section 13. Section 20-913 of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read as follows:
Section 20-913 Lighting
(a) Glare, whether direct or reflected, as differentiated from general illumination, shall not be
visible beyond the limits of the site from which it originates.
(b) No light which is flashing, revolving, or otherwise resembles a traffic-control signal shall be
allowed in any area where it could create a hazard for passing vehic ular traffic.
State law reference(s)—Similar provisions, M.S. § 169.073.
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(c) Lighting fixtures on poles shall comply with the following:
(1) All fixtures on properties not containing a residential dwelling must be shielded, high-
pressure sodium or light-emitting diode (LED), with a total cutoff angle equal to or less
than 90 degrees. Pole-mounted fixtures on properties containing a residential dwelling
must comply with Section 13-2(c)(24).
(2) Fixture height shall not exceed 30 feet. Recreational facility light poles shall not exceed
75 feet in height.
(3) Photometrics shall incorporate existing light fixtures, public or private, that may impact
the site.
(4) All outdoor light fixtures existing and legally installed prior to February 22, 1999, are
exempt from the requirements of this article unless work is proposed in any one-year
period so as to replace 50 percent or more of the existing outdoor light fixtures, or to
increase to the extent of 50 percent or more the number of outdoor light fixtures on the
premises.
(d) Wall-mounted lighting in commercial, industrial and institutional districts shall comply with
the following:
(1) All wall-mounted light fixtures shall be shielded with a total cutoff angle equal to or
less than 90 degrees.
(e) Lighting shall not be directed skyward except for lighting designed for illuminating the United
States of America flag.
Section 14. Section 20-963 of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to add Section 20-
963 to read as follows:
Sec 20-963 Temporary Real Estate Office or Model Home
(a) Purpose. It is the intent of this section to provide for the erection of model homes, which
may include temporary real estate offices, in new residential developments. As model homes
represent a unique temporary commercial use within a residential context, standards must be
applied to ensure their compatibility with this environment and to prevent the creation of
nuisances.
(b) Permit requirements. A building permit may be issued for a model home upon approval and
recording of the final plat, provided that:
(1) If constructed prior to the completion of public infrastructure improvements, access
must be provided by at least a maintainable Class 5 aggregate base structurally
sufficient to allow the public safe access to the proposed building site. The proposed
access must be approved by the City Engineer prior to the issuance of a building
permit; and
(2) The parcel must be located within 150 feet of a paved road surface (either concrete or
bituminous roadway) or be served by a construction road meeting the road design and
standards necessary to support a fire truck.
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(3) Adequate utility services must be provided to the model home, which shall include
fire hydrants for fire suppression needs as required by the Fire Code.
(c) Standards and limitations. Model homes within a residential development are subject to the
following:
(1) A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued for model homes provided the
public infrastructure improvements, excluding the final lift of asphalt and final
restoration, if applicable, have been completed. These improvements must include
approved sewer and water connections to in-service public mains. No permanent
certificate of occupancy will be issued for a model home until all of the public
infrastructure improvements have been completed and approved by the City
Engineer, including final grading and stabilization in accordance with the building
permit and development plans as approved by the City.
(2) Model homes and temporary real estate offices shall be utilized solely for selling lots
and/or homes within the residential development in which it is located.
(3) Temporary off-street parking facilities equal to three (3) paved spaces per model
home dwelling unit or a model home with a temporary real estate office shall be
provided. The head-in parking area on the driveway for the model home may be used
to satisfy the off-street parking requirement provided that the stalls are not in a
tandem arrangement and no portion of the stall encroaches into the public right-of-
way. The overall design, drainage, and surfacing of the temporary off-street parking
facility shall be subject to City approval.
(4) Use of a structure as a model home shall terminate three years from the date of the
issuance of a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy or when 90 percent of
the building permits for the residential development have been issued, whichever
comes first unless the period for use of a structure as a model home is extended by the
Community Development Director.
(5) No residential certificate of occupancy shall be issued for a model home or model
home with a temporary real estate office until such time as the structure has been
fully converted to a residence in compliance with the adopted Building Code.
Additionally, such conversion shall include, but not be limited to, parking lot
restoration and the removal of signage.
Section 15. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and publication.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of June 2023 by the City Council of the City of
Chanhassen, Minnesota.
Kim Meuwissen, City Clerk Elise Ryan, Mayor
(Summary Ordinance 710 published in the Chanhassen Villager on June 15, 2023)
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CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 710
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13, NUISANCES, CHAPTER 18,
SUBDIVISIONS, AND CHAPTER 20, ZONING, OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY CODE
The purpose of these Code amendments is as follows:
Amend Section 13-2(c)(24) to reference dwellings rather than property lines and to
exempt porch, garage, and motion active lights from nuisance ordinance when they serve
safety/security functions and reasonable efforts have been made to mitigate their impact.
Amend Section 18-41(a) to remove unnecessary items from the final plat application
requirements.
Amend Section 20-264 to remove conditional use standards for model homes.
Amend Sections 20-572(h), 20-592(g), 20-612(f), 20-632(g), 20-642(e), 20-652(d) and
20-672(g) to state that temporary real estate office and model homes are permitted uses subject
to the requirements of Section 20-963.
Amend Sections 20-676(b) and 20-683(f) to remove temporary real estate office and
model homes from the list of interim and/or conditional uses.
Amend Section 20-913 to remove pole-mounted lights on properties with residential
dwellings from general lighting standards and instead subject them to the nuisance ordinance.
Amend Sections 20-963 to establish performance standards for temporary real estate
offices or model homes.
A printed copy of Ordinance No. 710 is available for inspection by any person during
regular office hours at the office of the City Clerk.
PASSED, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION this 5th day of June
2023 by the City Council of the City of Chanhassen.
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on June 15, 2023)