4-13-1: POLICY; PURPOSE; OBJECTIVE; INTENT:
   A.    Policy: It is the policy of the city to enhance the supply of safe, sanitary and adequate structures and living conditions for its citizens and to prevent the deterioration of the existing rental structures in the city.
   B.    Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to carry out the policy stated in subsection A of this section by establishing minimum standards and procedures for their enforcement consistent with the right to personal privacy, for the protection of life, limb, health, property, safety and welfare of the general public, and for the owners and occupants of residential rental dwellings.
   C.    Objectives: The objectives of this chapter include, but are not limited to, the following:
      1.    Protection and preservation of the stability and character of residential areas within the city.
      2.    The prevention and correction of conditions that adversely affect the life, safety, health and general well being of owners, managers, and occupants of residential dwellings in the city.
      3.    The establishment of minimum standards for light, space, ventilation, cooling, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, life safety, safety from fire and other hazards, and for the safe and sanitary maintenance necessary to ensure the health and safety of owners, managers, and occupants of residential dwellings.
      4.    The establishment of minimum standards for the maintenance of rented single- and multi-family dwellings, both owner occupied and nonowner occupied dwellings.
      5.    The prevention of blighted and deteriorating structures in the city.
      6.    The preservation of the value of land and structures in the city.
      7.    The establishment of minimum standards for the licensing of single- and multi-family owner and nonowner occupied rental dwellings.
   D.    Intent; Relation To City Code Provisions: The city council intends that the rental licensing code be an integral part of the city's program of health, safety, building and land use regulation. This code is to be construed liberally in conjunction with other provisions of the city code to give effect to the policy, purpose and objectives of this chapter, but is not to be construed to modify, amend or otherwise alter the provisions of the city code relating to health, safety, structure or land use regulation.
   E.    Adoption Of International Property Maintenance Code: Except as modified or amended by the Minnesota state building code (or as it may be amended) or by city ordinance, or by this chapter, the international property maintenance code is adopted by reference and is made a part of this code as if fully set out at length. One copy of the international property maintenance code, together with a copy of this chapter, each marked "Official Copy", must be kept on file at city hall and be available for public inspection. The chief building official must keep a reasonable number of additional copies of the international property maintenance code and this chapter available for use and inspection by the public at reasonable times. The following provisions of the international property maintenance code are modified as follows:
      1.    References to plumbing, mechanical, fire, and electrical codes shall be replaced by current Minnesota state adopted plumbing, mechanical, fire, and electrical codes.
      2.    Section 101.2 is replaced as follows:
Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to all residential rental structures and premises and constitute minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, life safety, safety from fire and other hazards, and for safety and sanitary maintenance; for the responsibility of owners, managers and occupants, for the occupancy of existing structures and premises and for the administration and enforcement of this code.
      3.    The following sections are deleted: Sections 102.3 (Application Of Other Codes), 103 (Department Of Property Maintenance Inspection), 104 (Duties And Powers Of The Code Official), 106 (Violations), 107 (Notices And Orders), 109 (Emergency Measures), 110 (Demolition), 111 (Means Of Appeal).
      4.    Section 102.7.1 is replaced as follows:
Conflicts. Where conflicts occur between provisions of the international property maintenance code and the Minnesota state building code, the provisions of the Minnesota state building code shall apply.
      5.    In section 202 (General Definitions), the following definitions are deleted: Exterior Property, Garbage, Inoperable Motor Vehicle, Rubbish, Yard.
      6.    In section 202 (General Definitions), the following definitions are replaced with the definitions in section 4-13-2 of the city code: Dwelling Unit, Let, Owner, Structure.
      7.    The following sections are deleted: Sections 302.1 (Sanitation), 302.3 (Sidewalks And Driveways), 302.4 (Weeds), 302.7 (Accessory Structures), 302.8 (Motor Vehicles), 302.9 (Defacement Of Property), 303 (Swimming Pools, Spas And Hot Tubs), 304.3 (Exterior Structures - Premises Identification), 304.6 (Exterior Structures - Exterior Walls), 308 (Rubbish And Garbage).
(Ord. 1325, 10-24-2016)