Subd. 1. Registration Required. No person, firm, or corporation shall operate a multifamily dwelling in the city without having first registered the multifamily dwelling with the Building Official as provided in this subsection. Each multifamily dwelling and unit shall be registered annually with the Building Official as well as submit payment for the annual registration. If the registration is denied, no occupancy of the multifamily dwelling units then vacant or which become vacant shall be allowed until authorized in writing by the Building Official. Apartment units within an unregistered multifamily building for which a registration application has been made and which units are in compliance with this section may be occupied; provided that the unregistered multifamily dwelling units within the multifamily building do not create a hazard to the health and safety of persons in occupied units.
Subd. 2. Registration Procedures. Within 90 days after the passage of this section, the owner of any multifamily building within the city shall register the building with the Building Official in the manner hereafter prescribed.
1. Application shall be made on forms provided by the city and accompanied by the initial fee in an amount set by resolution of the City Council. The owner of a multifamily building constructed after the date of passage of this section shall register the multifamily building prior to actual occupancy of any multifamily dwelling unit therein.
2. Applicants shall provide the following information on registration applications:
a. Name and address of owner of the multifamily building and the name and address of the operator or agent actively managing said multifamily building;
b. The name and address of the vendee if the multifamily building is being sold on a contract for deed;
c. The legal description and address of the multifamily building;
d. The number and kind of units within the multifamily building, the floor area for each such unit and the total floor area of the building;
e. Name and address of person to whom owner/applicant wishes a certified letter to be sent; and
f. Such other information as the Building Official shall legitimately require.
Subd. 3. Application and Inspection. After receipt of a properly executed application, the Building Official shall cause an inspection to be made of the premises to observe that the structure is in compliance with the requirements of this Multifamily Housing Registration Code.
Subd. 4. Issuance of Multifamily Housing Certificate of Compliance.
1. If a multifamily building is observed to be in compliance with the requirements of this Code, a certificate of compliance shall be issued to the present owner, or agent which shall state that the structure has been inspected and has been observed to be in compliance with the requirements of this Code. If the multifamily building is observed to be in violation of this Code, the State Building Code, or the State Fire Code, the Building Official shall provide written notice to the building owner or agent ordering correction of any violation within a reasonable period of time. If a violation is observed to present an imminent fire or life safety hazard, then the Building Official may impose additional remedies pursuant to State Building Code and State Fire Code.
2. The City Building Official may charge the multifamily building owner or agent a re-inspection fee for additional inspections resulting from continued non-compliance. Such fee shall be in accordance with State Building Code and in amount as determined by the building permit fee schedule established by the city.
Subd. 5. Certificate of Compliance Display. A certificate of compliance issued under this section shall be conspicuously displayed on the multifamily building premises.
Subd. 6. Certificate of Compliance Renewal. All multifamily buildings shall be inspected by the Building Official or his or her agent at least once every two years. Upon determination by the Building Official that the multifamily building and premises appear to be in compliance with this Code, the State Building Code, or the State Fire Code, the Building Official shall issue a new certificate of compliance.
Subd. 7. Suspension or Revocation. A certificate of compliance issued or renewed under this section may be revoked or suspended upon a finding of non-compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
Subd. 8. Registration Fees. Annual fees for registration, inspection fees, re-inspection fees, and violations shall be established by the city’s fee schedule which will be reviewed annually by the City Council.