Resource Center

LOCAL RESOURCES

Each market is different and may have unique requirements and benefits to buying real property there. That’s why it’s important to work with a REALTOR® to help you navigate the particularities of their markets. Below you will find some links to resources to get you started. Call your REALTOR® to help you find the property you want and the expertise you need.

Protect your Investment - A Guide for at Risk Homeowners

Resources for Coastal Property Owners

Lunch & Learn Materials

Lake County (11/14/18)

Cook County (11/1/19)

Douglas County (11/14/19)

WLSSD Ordinance Update

WLSSD Ordinance Update

Due to COVID-19, ordinance has been suspended until January 1, 2021
In June of 2017 the WLSSD passed required revisions to the Ordinance Establishing Standards for Reduction of Inflow & Infiltration which all municipalities connected to the WLSSD system (included below) must follow. Of particular interest in this update is Section 7.2 which covers lateral lines. Municipalities can enforce this section either through a point of sale requirement or through an annual inspection program. Most municipalities have chosen to complete the requirement through point of sale. Municipalities are required to comply with enforcement of this ordinance by February 15, 2020. While some municipalities have been in compliance for some time, some are still finalizing their ordinances. A list of municipalities and the current status of their ordinance is below.

Full Ordinance Text: https://wlssd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/15K395606-II-Ord.-FINAL.pdf

Municipalities

Duluth – Passed, Annual Inspection, (Grants available); Contact Jim Benning – jbenning@duluthmn.Gov
Proctor – Passed, Point of Sale effective 1/1/20; Contact Mark Casey -mcasey@proctormn.gov
Hermantown – Draft, Likely POS effective 2/15/20, Contact Janice Shepherd - jshepherd@hermantownmn.com
Cloquet – Passed, Annual Inspection effective 9/1/20; Contact Caleb Peterson - CPeterson@cloquetmn.gov
Carlton – Passed, Point of Sale effective 1/1/20; Contact - carlton@cityofcarlton.com
Scanlon – Passed, Point of Sale; Contact - cityclerk@cityofscanlon.com
Rice Lake – Passed, Point of Sale and Annual Inspection effective 7/22/2019; Contact – Toni Blomdahl - TBlomdahl@RiceLakeCityMN.com
Wrenshall – Passed, Point of Sale effective 1/1/20; Contact Alieca Johnson - cityofwrenshall@gmail.com
Thomson – Draft, Likely Point of Sale 2/15/20; Contact Leah Pykkonen - thomson@cpinternet.com
Midway – Passed, Annual Inspection and Point of Sale effective 2/1/20; Contact Jim Aird – jaird@msn.com
Twin Lakes – Draft, Annual Inspection & Point of Sale; Contact Sue Chapin - clerk@twinlakestownship.com
Pike Lake Area Wastewater Collection System – Passed, Annual Inspection & Point of Sale effective 1/1/20; Contact Amber Madoll - plawcsclerk@gmail.com
Duluth/North Shore Sanitary District – No Inspection requirement (DNSSD owns pipe to the eaves so there is no private lateral); Contact Angie Braud - duluthnssd@gmail.com, Joe Jurewicz - jjurewicz@msa-ps.com
Village of Oliver, Wisconsin – Passed, Point of Sale effective 4/30/19; Contact Julie Abraham - villageofoliver1@gmail.com
Knife River-Larsmont Sanitary District – Passed, Point of Sale?; Contact Joe Jurewicz - jjurewicz@msa-ps.com

CITY INFORMATION

City of Cloquet – http://www.ci.cloquet.mn.us/

City of Duluth – http://www.duluthmn.gov/
I&I Point of Sale (Sump Pumps) – http://www.duluthmn.gov/public-works-utilities/inflow-infiltration/
At point of sale city needs to inspect the basement for a sump pump or the man hole for contributing to the city storm water/sewer system. If property is found non-contributing that compliance certificate is $105 and good for 1 calendar year.If property is contributing then owner needs to pay $200 towards compliance and sump pump will most likely need to be installed, current or new owner can undertake this and there are grant monies available to cover the majority of the cost. Call 218-730-4130 to schedule an appointment prior to closing.

Rental Ordinance – Life Safety Department – http://www.duluthmn.gov/fire/licenses-and-permits/
All properties that are rented or that the owner is receiving a benefit from others dwelling there in City of Duluth must have a rental license.There are 2 types licenses available a Single Tenant(owner occupant w/1 person, a family or related persons) or Multi-Tenant(more than 1 unrelated persons).If purchasing a rental property or converting a single family residence to a rental check on license status and be prepared to pay fees.Licenses are issued for 3 year terms and current fees can be found on the website.
Phone: 218-730-4380
Email: lifesafety@duluthmn.gov

Garbage – The City of Duluth requires garbage service at all residential properties, so if a garbage bill is delinquent the garbage hauler may petition to put the outstanding amount onto the property taxes. A good rule of thumb is to require a paid in full garbage receipt prior to closing.

Steps to Gas Service – Comfort Systems natural gas service within the CIty of Duluth

City of Ely – http://www.ely.org/

Esko - http://www.thomson.govoffice.com/

City of Grand Marais – http://www.ci.grand-marais.mn.us/

City of Hermantown – http://www.hermantownmn.com/

City of Proctor - http://www.proctormn.gov/

City of Rice Lake – http://ricelaketownshipmn.org/

City of Silver Bay – http://www.silverbay.com/

City of Two Harbors – http://www.ci.two-harbors.mn.us/

County Information

Carlton County – http://www.co.carlton.mn.us/

Cook County – http://www.co.cook.mn.us/

Lake County – http://www.co.lake.mn.us/
Plat Book
Septic Ordinance
Planning & Zoning

St. Louis County – https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/
Ordinance 61 Septic Point of Sale St. Louis County - http://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/LANDPROPERTY/BuildingZoning/SepticSystems.aspx

All septic systems within St. Louis County must be inspected prior to sale.Inspections will determine conditions of the septic system as 1 of 4 outcomes.In 2 of the outcomes system replacement will be required which could lead to additional fees or escrowing of monies.

Chambers

Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce: https://duluthchamber.com/

Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce: http://www.cloquet.com/

Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce: https://www.hermantownchamber.com/

Lake County Chamber of Commerce: https://lakecounty-chamber.com/

Cook County Chamber of Commerce: https://www.cookcountychamber.org/

Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce: https://www.superiorchamber.org/

Bayfield County Chamber of Commerce: https://bayfield.org/

Ashland County Chamber of Commerce: https://www.visitashland.com/

4031 Grand Avenue
Duluth, MN 55807

(218) 728-5676