Fairmont, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 27 (2026) § 27-8

(a) The city will inspect rental housing units and common areas upon receipt of a written complaint filed with the city regarding a violation of state law or local ordinance.


(b) The identities of any person filing a complaint about violations of state law or local ordinance concerning the use of real property, and any information that would identify such person, is classified as confidential information under M.S. § 13.44. No employee or agent of the city shall release or reveal such information except by court order.


(c) Forms. The city shall provide forms upon which complaints may be made regarding the condition or license and registration status of any rental property.


(d) Upon receipt of a written complaint, the city shall notify the owner/representative of the existence of the complaint and allow the owner/representative forty-eight (48) hours to address the issue, save and except that if a written complaint alleges an immediate safety or health concern, the city may immediately inspect the property and will use its best efforts to notify the owner/representative. Upon receiving information that the issue has not been corrected or a plan presented to correct the issue, the city shall inspect the property to verify the existence of conditions in violation of this code or any other applicable statute, ordinance, code or regulation. The owner/representative shall be provided notice of the date and time of the inspection and may be present during the inspection.


(e) The owner/representative shall be assessed appropriate inspection fees if the complaint is found to be substantiated by this inspection.


(f) When a city employee or agent makes an inspection as a result of a written complaint and no violations are found the city shall issue a notice of compliance to the tenant and the owner/representative. If the complaint is substantiated by the inspection, written notice of the observed violation(s) shall be given to the owner/representative and tenant. The city will work with the owner/representative to develop a timeline for the required repairs. A re-inspection will be conducted at the expiration of the time period set for repairs. If the repairs have been completed in a satisfactory manner, a notice of compliance will be issued to the owner/representative and the tenant. In the event the repairs have not been completed in a satisfactory manner further action will be taken as permitted by this Code or state law.


(g) License and registration complaints. Upon receipt of a complaint and verification that a residential rental housing unit is not licensed or registered, the city shall inform the owner in writing that the owner has sixty (60) days to either:


(1) Comply with the terms of this chapter by registering the unit and by paying all applicable fees; or


(2) Cease rental operations.


(Ord. No. 2021-03 , 11-22-21)