Saint Paul Parking Garage Law Affects Parking Structure Owners

Find Out How This New Law Affects You

An ongoing regulation, Chapter 417 of the Saint Paul, Minnesota Code of Ordinances, mandates annual inspection and reporting requirements that every parking garage owner needs to follow to stay compliant.

Below we will talk about details regarding the Saint Paul Law:

• Responsibilities of Parking Garage Owners
• Repercussions of Not Meeting Code Requirements
• Cities Near Saint Paul
• Next Steps

Responsibilities of Parking Garage Owners

Parking garage owners need to pay attention to the three key details to know when they need to act on their parking garage.

1. Determine if your parking structure falls under the requirements of the code.
        a. Per Section 417.02. – Definitions:
             i. “"Parking garage" means a building or structure, or part thereof, in which the primary use of at least one structural level (a structural level is a level with space below) is for parking, storing, or maintaining motor vehicles.”
        b. Per Section 417.08.a.1 - Structural condition surveys and ongoing maintenance:
             i. “No structural condition survey is required for five (5) years after initial construction…”
2. Retain an engineer to inspect your parking garage and write a report based on the code's requirements.
        a. Per Section 417.08.a - Structural condition surveys and ongoing maintenance:
             i. “….Unless otherwise waived every parking garage shall have a structural condition survey performed yearly…”
             ii. “A minimum of a Type I structural condition survey is required by the end of the sixth year.”
                  1. The same requirement is applicable for the end of the seventh year.
             iii. “A Type II structural condition survey is required by the end of the eighth year.”
        b. Per Section 417.02. – Definitions:
             i. “’Type I structural condition survey’ means visual observations performed under the direct supervision of a professional engineer licensed by the State of Minnesota of all structural components…”
             ii. "’Type II structural condition survey’ means a Type I survey plus nondestructive tests…”
3. Submit the written inspection report to the city as part of the annual parking facility licensure process.
        a. Per Section 417.08.a - Structural condition surveys and ongoing maintenance:
             i. “A written report documenting the results of the survey shall be provided to the department of safety and inspection's (DSI) staff structural engineer. The report shall identify scope-of-services, background information (history, or information provided by others), procedures, factual results, and the engineer's opinion of the severity of deterioration and recommended prioritizing for repair.”

Repercussions of Not Meeting Code Requirements

Staying compliant is not only about avoiding penalties, but also about ensuring the safety of every user and the long-term viability of your property.

Asset Implications

Parking structures, particularly in climates like Saint Paul, are susceptible to many different types of deterioration.

Left uninspected, these deterioration mechanisms could pose risks to people and property  - examples include: falling concrete, tripping hazards, and even partial collapses.

Financial Implications

Additional action may be required, depending on the findings of the engineer’s inspection:

Per Section 417.01. - License required:

“No person shall engage in the business of keeping, conducting or operating any parking lot or parking garage in Saint Paul without a license.”

Per Section 417.08.b - Structural condition surveys and ongoing maintenance:

“…Based on the reported results the parking garage shall be maintained as required in order to minimize the risk of localized or catastrophic structural collapse, and such that the rate of ongoing restoration work does, at a minimum, keep pace with the rate of deterioration. Restoration work shall be performed under permit.

Other Nonstructural Requirements

Although this article focuses on inspection and reporting for the parking garage structure, note that additional regulation considerations are outlined in Sec. 417.06. - Regulations, and security considerations in Section 417.07. - Safety requirements that are required to be met prior to issuance of a license.

Cities Near Saint Paul

The codified ordinance only applies to parking garages in Saint Paul proper. If your asset is not in Saint Paul, it is not subject to the specific requirements outlined above.

If not located in Saint Paul, determine if the jurisdiction in which your asset is located requires inspection. Multiple other municipalities in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, mandate parking garage inspection and reporting like Saint Paul, including:

-Duluth, MN
-Edina, MN
-St. Louis Park, MN

Next Steps

Whether required by law or not, preventative inspection and maintenance of parking structures is always a good idea.

As leaders in parking structure management and safety compliance, StructureCare is here to guide you through the complexities of the Inspection and Reporting Requirements for Parking Garages in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

We offer comprehensive inspection and reporting services to ensure your parking facilities meet all legal requirements and maintain the highest safety standards.

Nick Heim, PE 
Innovation Engineer, Ohio