You cannot take a stop-work order lightly. It has the potential to bring your construction project to a grinding halt. In Minnesota, how you respond to this order can make all the difference. Here is what you need to know.
What does a stop-work order mean?
If your ongoing construction violates the established building codes or poses a threat to life, a building official may send you a stop-work order to halt the project. The order should be in writing and can be issued to the owner of the property or the contractor present on-site.
Why did you get the notice?
When municipal or state agencies identify noncompliance or zoning issues, they may issue a notice to halt the construction. Typical reasons for a notice include:
- Unlicensed work: Lacking proper contractor licenses or required permits
- Noncompliant builds: Building outside the parameters of your approved plans
- Hazardous environments: Exposing workers or the public to unsafe conditions
- Zoning and environmental issues: Ignoring local land-use or environmental rules
Your timeline for getting back to work directly depends on the severity of the issue, ranging from quick paperwork fixes to complex safety remedies.
What should you do next?
As soon as you get the notice, you should cease all construction work. If you continue to work despite receiving the order, you may face massive penalties. Read through the posted notice and look for cited violations or deficiencies. Take pictures and videos, covering the portions that are relevant to the alleged violations. Then you may contact the department that issued the notice and ask what needs to be done next.
Protecting your project with legal guidance
Challenging a stop-work order can be a difficult and complex task. With the help of legal counsel, you may be able to streamline the process. They can ensure full compliance with building codes, lead critical negotiations with authorities and identify the most efficient remedies.