Rules make city living ... livable

Jodie Johnson

Deputy clerk for the City of Carlton

I couldn’t wait to grow up so I would finally be free of rules. No more parents telling me what to do. No teachers expecting me to do things on their timetable.

Freedom. Hah. I still have just as many rules to follow and I have to make myself follow them or face the consequences.

Sometimes I wish there were fewer rules. I mean, why are there so many? One of my first jobs with the City of Carlton (about 12 years ago) was to make an index for city ordinances. There were 343 pages of city codes.

Some were very outdated. Two of my favorites related to needing licenses: that you needed a license to install a phonograph in public places of business and that you needed a license for drays, hacks, and express wagons. I had to read that one twice. Basically you need to have a license to move people, baggage and retail goods.

In 2015, when Carlton and Thomson consolidated, we updated our ordinances. The city code is now 188 pages.

Some ordinances may seem useless, but there is a good reason for each one. All these rules protect our rights and our neighbors’ rights. Our earlier leaders wanted to make sure all residents had a safe and peaceful place to live. Current leaders want the same thing.

The ordinances cover a variety of things. It begins with how the city government is set up and how it will be run. It continues to list the requirements for streets and utilities. Carlton has water and sewer utilities. Next comes the licensing. These include peddlers, animals, liquor sales and gambling. Then we have a section relating to waste disposal, trees, recreational devices and nuisances.

There is a large chapter on land usage that includes the type of use allowed in different areas.

City code ends with how the cemetery is set up and run and rules relating to flood plains and flooding.

We require building permits to protect new owners of properties in town from hazards. These can be big or small. When my family purchased our home, we found that our electric dryer and electric stove were on the same breaker. I don’t know much about wiring but I was told that was a perfect way to cause a fire if both were to run at the same time. Needless to say, one of the previous owners had done some electrical work without a permit.

City code tries to cover any possible issues that may arise. That is why it is so voluminous. Rules are not always fun, but they do serve a purpose. Take some time to review the city code so you are aware of possible issues.