Eden Valley, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 153 (2026) § 153.03
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. BUILDING. Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy. DWELLING UNIT. Consists of one or more rooms that are arranged, designed, or used as living quarters for rent. Each room or group of rooms shall be a separate DWELLING UNIT . A rooming house shall be considered a single-dwelling unit, but may charge a fee based on the number of sleeping rooms. A structure that is self-enclosed and arranged designed and used as living quarters to a single- family or group of persons under a single lease or agreement shall be considered a single DWELLING UNIT . COMPLIANCE OFFICER. A designee appointed by the Eden Valley Council authorized to administer and enforce this chapter. LICENSE. A provisional rental license, which is issued after receipt of fees and may be revoked if such rental property is found not to be in compliance with ordinances, codes, or statutes. LOT. An area within a manufactured home park or otherwise maintained and made available for occupancy by a manufactured home. MANUFACTURED HOME. As provided in § 150.002 . MANUFACTURED HOME PARK. Any site, lot, field, or tract of land upon which two or more occupied manufactured homes are located, either free of charge or for compensation, and includes any building, structure, tent, vehicle, or enclosure used or intended for use as part of the equipment of the manufactured home park. MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY. For each occupant in a dwelling unit, 70 square feet of space must be provided. OCCUPANT. Any person (including the owner or operator) living, sleeping, cooking, and eating in a dwelling unit. OPERATOR. The owner or agent who has charge, care, control, or management of a building or manufactured home park or part hereof, in which dwelling units, manufactured homes, or rooming units are let. OWNER. Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others, shall be in actual possession of, or have charge, care or control of any dwelling unit, manufactured home, rooming house, or sleeping unit within the city. SLEEPING ROOMS. A room or enclosed floor space in a rooming house or dwelling unit, as defined herein, used or intended to be used primarily for sleeping purposes. RENTAL PROPERTY. A dwelling unit offered for rent or occupied by a person or persons in the status of tenant, but does not include motels. This term shall not include property in which the dwelling unit or manufactured home is owned by the occupant, but the land or lot is rented or leased. ROOMING HOUSE. A building or structure providing a room or rooms intended for living and sleeping for persons in the status of tenant in which the toilet and kitchen facilities are shared, and the common or shared areas of the structure are actively maintained by the operator. This term shall include boarding houses, day cares, lodging houses, bed and breakfasts, fraternity and sorority houses, but does not include hotels, motels, or hospitals. TENANT. One who has as his or her place of abode a dwelling unit, manufactured home, rooming house, or sleeping room furnished to him or her for payment of a rental charge to another. (Ord. passed 4-6-2016)
Eden Valley Ch. 153 Rental Code § 153.03 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 153's rental regulations. Key terms such as "dwelling unit," "rental property," "tenant," "operator," and "rooming house" are given specific meanings that may differ from everyday usage, and these definitions govern how all other provisions in the chapter are interpreted. For example, a rooming house is treated as a single dwelling unit for most purposes, and maximum occupancy is tied to a minimum of 70 square feet per occupant. Certain property types—such as motels, hotels, and owner-occupied manufactured homes on rented land—are explicitly excluded from the definition of rental property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Eden Valley Ch. 153 Rental Code § 153.03 should be familiar with how the code defines the roles of "owner" and "operator," since both carry responsibilities under Chapter 153 even when management duties are delegated to an agent. Compliant operators generally ensure that each dwelling unit meets the maximum occupancy standard of 70 square feet per occupant and understand whether their property qualifies as a rooming house, rental property, or manufactured home park under these definitions. Operators of rooming houses, in particular, should note that the code requires active maintenance of common and shared areas as part of that classification.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Eden Valley Ch. 153 Rental Code § 153.03 defines "tenant" as anyone who occupies a dwelling unit, manufactured home, rooming house, or sleeping room in exchange for a rental payment, which determines whether a person is protected by the rest of Chapter 153's provisions. Tenants in rooming houses share toilet and kitchen facilities and may be charged fees based on the number of sleeping rooms, and understanding these definitions can help clarify what rights and protections apply to a given living arrangement. Those who believe their housing situation may be misclassified or that their unit does not meet the defined standards—such as the 70-square-foot-per-occupant requirement—may wish to consult the Eden Valley Compliance Officer 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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