(A) Statutory authorization. This chapter is enacted pursuant to M.S. § 145A.05, Subdivision d. 1 and Subdivision d. 7 and M.S. § 375.51 or successor statutes.
(B) Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum standards for rental dwelling units in the city. The general objectives include the following:
(1) Protect the character and stability of residential areas;
(2) Correct and prevent housing conditions that adversely affect, or are likely to adversely affect, the life, safety, general welfare and health of the renting public, including the physical, mental and social well-being of persons occupying a rental dwelling unit;
(3) Provide minimum standards for cooking, heating and sanitary equipment necessary to the health and safety of occupants of rental dwelling units;
(4) Provide minimum standards for light necessary to health and safety;
(5) Prevent the overcrowding of dwellings by providing minimum space standards per occupant for each rental dwelling unit;
(6) Provide minimum standards for the maintenance of existing rental residential buildings and to prevent slums and blight;
(7) Preserve the value of land and buildings; and
(8) With respect to rental disputes, except as otherwise provided, it is not the intent of the City Council to intrude upon the fair and accepted contractual relationship between tenant and owner. The City Council does not intend to intervene as an advocate for either party, to act as an arbiter or to be receptive to complaints from tenant or owner which are not specifically and clearly relevant to the provisions of this chapter. In the absence of such relevancy with regard to rental disputes, it is intended that the contracting parties exercise such legal sanctions as are available to them without the City Council’s intervention. By enacting this chapter, the City Council does not intend to interfere or permit interference with legal rights to personal privacy.
(Ord. 08-04, passed 10-14-08)