Cambridge, Minn., City Code ch. 99 (2026) § 99.02
Definitions
Operative Text
§99.02 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context
clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APARTMENT. A community, complex, or building having a common owner and containing
four (4) or more living units.
APPLICANT. The natural person completing the registration form prescribed herein.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR. The City Administrator or the City Administrator’s designee.
DWELLING. A building, or portion thereof designed or used exclusively for residential
occupancy, including one family, two family, and multiple family dwelling units; efficiency units;
manufactured homes; and townhomes, but not including hotels, motels, or hospitals.
FAMILY. One or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption or foster parent
relationships occupying a dwelling and living as a single housekeeping unit, or a group of not more
than four persons not so related, maintaining a common household and using common cooking
facilities, as distinguished from a group occupying a rooming/boarding house or hotel/motel, as
herein described.
LET FOR OCCUPANCY or TO LET. To permit possession or occupancy of a dwelling or living
unit by a person who is not the legal owner of record thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten
lease, or pursuant to a recorded or unrecorded agreement whether or not a fee is required by the
agreement.
LIVING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more
persons including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION (Housing Related). “Housing-related neighborhood
organization” means a nonprofit corporation incorporated that:
(1) designates in its articles of incorporation or bylaws a specific geographic community
to which its activities are limited; and
(2) is formed for the purposes of promoting community safety, crime prevention, and
housing quality in a nondiscriminatory manner.
NO OCCUPANCY ORDER. The residential rental dwelling or unit cannot be used for
sleeping, eating, cooking, or living.
OCCUPANT. Any person living or sleeping in a dwelling or having possession of a space
within a dwelling.
OPERATE/RENT. To let for occupancy or to let.
OWNER. Any person, agent, operator, firm, or corporation having a legal or equitable
interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county, or municipality as
holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of
the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if
ordered to take possession of real property by a court, or any person representing the actual
owner.
PERSON. An individual, corporation, firm, association, company, partnership, organization,
or any other group acting as a unit.
RENTAL DWELLING. Any apartment, general housing unit, or single family dwelling let for
occupancy.
RENTAL MANAGER. Any natural person who has been delegated by the residential rental
property owner the charge, care, or control of a residential rental property, and is able to respond
in person to issues related to the residential rental property.
RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY. Any building, or one or more portions thereof, occupied
or intended to be occupied for residential purposes by a residential tenant.
RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY OWNER. Any person or entity owning residential rental
property within the city.
RESIDENTIAL TENANT. A person who does not own, but occupies a dwelling for residential
purposes, for payment of a fee or other compensation to the owner, under a lease or contract,
written or verbal.
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING. A dwelling with less than two (2) living units.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected on, or connected to the ground.Section 99.02 of Cambridge, MN City Code Title IX, Chapter 99 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the city's Rental Housing Registration ordinance. Terms such as "dwelling," "living unit," "rental dwelling," and "residential tenant" are given specific legal meanings that govern how the rest of the registration requirements are interpreted and applied. For example, a "rental dwelling" covers apartments, general housing units, and single-family homes that are let for occupancy, while hotels, motels, and hospitals are explicitly excluded from the definition of "dwelling." These definitions set the scope of who and what falls under the registration program.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Cambridge should familiarize themselves with the definitions in § 99.02, because terms like "owner," "rental manager," and "residential rental property" determine whether a given property or role is subject to the registration requirements of Chapter 99. Notably, the definition of "owner" is broad and can include agents, operators, firms, or anyone with legal or equitable interest in the property, meaning responsibility for compliance is not limited to the person holding title. Operators who delegate day-to-day management should be aware that a designated "rental manager" under § 99.02 must be a natural person capable of responding in person to property-related issues.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Cambridge benefit from understanding the definitions in § 99.02, because these terms establish who qualifies as a "residential tenant" and what types of housing fall under the city's Rental Housing Registration program. A "residential tenant" is defined as someone who does not own but occupies a dwelling for residential purposes in exchange for payment, under a written or verbal lease — a definition that shapes what protections and obligations apply under Chapter 99. Tenants who have questions about whether their housing is covered by these definitions may find it helpful to contact the Cambridge City Administrator's office or a local tenant-rights organization for general information.
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.
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