Clearwater, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 8 § 8-1
Purpose
Operative Text
It is the purpose of this section to assure that rental housing in the City of Clearwater is decent, safe and is operated and maintained so as not to become a nuisance to the neighborhood or to become an influence that fosters blight and deterioration or creates a disincentive for reinvestment in the community. The operation of residential rental properties is a business enterprise that entails certain responsibilities. Rental premises owners, agents, and property managers are responsible to take necessary reasonable actions to ensure that the persons who occupy such rental premises, as well as neighboring properties, may pursue the quiet enjoyment of the normal activities of life in surroundings that are safe, secure, free from noise, nuisances, and annoyances, free from unreasonable fears about safety of persons and property, and free of drugs and crime.
Clearwater Code of Ordinances ch. 8 § 8-1 establishes the overarching purpose of the city's residential rental housing framework: to keep rental properties decent, safe, and free from conditions that contribute to neighborhood blight or discourage community reinvestment. The provision frames residential rental operation as a business activity carrying defined responsibilities. Owners, agents, and property managers are expected to take reasonable steps so that both occupants and neighboring properties can enjoy safe, quiet, and nuisance-free surroundings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Clearwater Code of Ordinances ch. 8 § 8-1, operating a residential rental property is treated as a business enterprise, and that classification comes with affirmative responsibilities. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties in a condition that does not create nuisances, contribute to blight, or undermine neighborhood safety and quiet enjoyment. Owners, agents, and property managers who stay current on maintenance obligations, address tenant conduct issues promptly, and keep premises free from drug- and crime-related activity are acting in the spirit this provision was designed to encourage.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Clearwater Code of Ordinances ch. 8 § 8-1 signals that tenants have an interest in safe, secure, and nuisance-free housing as a matter of city policy. If a rental property is being operated in a way that undermines those conditions — such as persistent safety hazards, unaddressed nuisances, or crime-related concerns — tenants may have grounds to raise this foundational purpose when pursuing remedies through the City of Clearwater or other available channels. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Clearwater's rental ordinances can help residents understand what options may be available in a given situation.
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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