Excessive accumulation of personal belongings and waste within the home can lead to potentially unsafe conditions. These conditions can affect the safety of the occupant, neighbors, and public.
Excessive indoor accumulation of belongings and household waste such as newspapers, junk mail, expired food and merchandize, and common household waste can lead to potentially unsafe conditions in a number of ways. Excessive indoor accumulation can make cleaning common living areas more difficult. It can also lead to rodent and pest infestation by providing shelter, material for nesting, and in some cases a food source. Unsanitary conditions can arise from the accumulation of expired food, food waste, unclean dishware. Accumulations can also provide fuel for fire, which increases the risk of more intense fires, and can impede or restrict altogether means of ingress/egress for both the occupants and emergency personnel in the event of a fire. Additionally, in some cases, prolonged accumulation of contents and household waste can also jeopardize the integrity of the structure itself. When household waste is accumulated and remains indefinitely, the decomposition of the material can emit methane which is not only harmful to breathe in, but is also extremely flammable.
A local non-profit known as DARTS offers assistance with various home making tasks for qualifying individuals. To learn more about these services follow the link below to their website. The City also hosts a clean-up each fall where residents may bring non-hazardous material to a central location for disposal for a reasonable fee. Additionally, the county provides information on disposal resources on its website here: Dakota County Disposal Resources. Please remember that Bagsters filled with debris may not be stored on front lawns or in right of way areas.
Perhaps you, a friend, or a loved one are in need of homemaking assistance or resources do assist with such conditions another resource for individuals and families in need can be found here: Toolbox.
With questions or concerns regarding excessive indoor accumulation please contact Apple Valley Code Enforcement by email at: codeenforce@ci.apple-valley.mn.us; or by phone at 952.953.2570.