(A) License required. It is unlawful to own or operate a rental dwelling in the city without first having obtained a license from the city. An owner must obtain a license for each rental dwelling. If the rental dwelling contains two or more units, and has a common owner and a common property identification number, the owner shall obtain a single license for the rental dwelling.
(B) License application. The owner of a rental dwelling must submit an application for a license on forms and in the format provided by the city. The owner must give notice, in writing, to the city within five business days of any changes to the information contained in the license application. The application must include:
(1) The owner’s name, address, and telephone number, owning partners if a partnership, corporate officers if a corporation;
(2) Legal address of the rental dwelling;
(3) The type and number of units within the rental dwelling;
(4) The type of structure to be licensed (i.e., single-family, duplex, multi-family); and
(5) Pursuant to M.S. § 270C.72, subd. 4, as it may be amended from time to time, the owner’s Social Security number and/or state business identification number.
(C) License fees. The owner must pay an annual license fee, the amount of which will be determined by the City Council. The owner must submit the required fee along with the application for a new or renewal license. Applications for a renewal license submitted after December 31 are subject to an additional late fee, which shall be determined from time to time by the Council.
(D) License period. The license period is for one year and all licenses shall expire on March 14 in each year.
(E) License issuance.
(1) Preliminary inspection and investigation. Prior to issuing an initial license, the Chief Building Official will seek consent from the owner for an inspection of the rental dwelling and conduct an inspection to determine compliance with this subchapter, the city code, and the International Property Maintenance Code. The Chief Building Official will review the application for completeness. All real estate taxes and municipal utilities must be paid and current.
(2) Compliance order. As to any rental dwelling existing as of the effective date of this subchapter, if the rental dwelling is not in full compliance with division (E)(1) above, the city may issue the initial license and provide the owner with a compliance order pursuant to § 112.09.
(F) Posting of license. The owner shall post a copy of the license in the rental dwelling in a conspicuous place approved by the Building Official. In multiple-dwelling units requiring a single license, the license shall be posted in a common area of the building such as a corridor, hallway, or lobby. The posted license shall be framed and covered with clear glass or plastic.
(G) Transfer of license. Licenses are transferable. Any changes in the ownership of the rental dwelling require submittal of application and payment of license transfer fee.
(H) Register of occupancy. The owner shall keep a current register of occupancy for each rental dwelling. This register of occupancy may be reviewed by the city at any time. The register of occupancy shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(1) Address(es) of the rental dwelling;
(2) Number of bedrooms of each unit;
(3) Number of units in each building; and
(4) Number of adults and children (under 18) currently occupying each unit.
(Prior Code, § 3-16-6) (Ord. 611, passed 2-9-2015) Penalty, see § 112.99