Albert Lea, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. II § 26.025
Application
Operative Text
Any property owner who desires to rent a dwelling unit located in the city must obtain a rental housing license. Each application for a rental housing license, as required by this section, shall be made at the city office of the development services department. (1) Provisional license. New license applicants will be issued a provisional rental housing license after completing the application and determining a date for the required inspection. A provisional license is valid up to six (6) months from the date of issue. A provisional license may be granted an extension by the development services department. (2) Certification of owner or agent. Prior to approving an application for a provisional rental housing license or rental housing license, the property owner shall provide certification of an agent and address upon which agent the city may serve notices pertaining to the property, which service shall be effective as if made upon the rental housing license holder. (3) Certification of taxes and utilities paid. Prior to approving an application for a rental housing license, the property owner shall provide certification to the city that either: a. There are no delinquent property taxes and special assessments or the owner is current on a payment plan approved by the county treasurer; and b. There are no delinquent city utility fees or other financial claims of the city are due upon the parcel of land which the rental housing license application relates. (4) False statement. Any false statement or omission shall render the application, and any license issued pursuant thereto, invalid and of no effect.
Albert Lea Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. II § 26.025 requires that any property owner wishing to rent a dwelling unit within the city first obtain a rental housing license through the development services department. New applicants receive a provisional license—valid up to six months—while awaiting an inspection, and that provisional period may be extended. Before any license is approved, the owner must certify a local agent for receiving city notices, confirm that property taxes and special assessments are current (or that a county-approved payment plan is in place), and confirm that no delinquent city utility fees or other city financial claims are outstanding. Any false statement or omission on the application voids both the application and any license issued from it.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Albert Lea Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. II § 26.025, compliant rental property operators submit their license application to the development services department before placing any unit into rental service. They designate a certified agent with a valid address for receiving city notices, resolve any outstanding property tax, special assessment, or city utility delinquencies prior to approval, and schedule the required inspection to convert a provisional license into a full license. Operators also ensure that all information provided on the application is accurate and complete, since any false statement or omission renders the license invalid.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Albert Lea Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. II § 26.025 establishes that every rental unit in the city is supposed to be covered by a valid rental housing license, which means tenants can inquire with the city's development services department to confirm whether their unit is properly licensed. If a landlord is renting without a valid license—or obtained one through false statements—that license is considered invalid under this provision, which may be relevant information when raising concerns with the city or a tenant-rights organization. Tenants who have questions about their landlord's licensing status or what an unlicensed rental may mean for their situation can contact the development services department or seek guidance from a local tenant-rights group familiar with Albert Lea's ordinances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.