Fergus Falls, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 117 (2026) § 117.05
EXCEPTION
Operative Text
A property owner that leases the subject property as set forth on the following list is exempt from the rental registration requirements of this chapter but not other regulations or codes applicable to structures or properties: (A) Retail/commercial/industrial rental activities; (B) Nursing homes, assisted living, and other residential facilities or portions thereof licensed or registered and inspected by the State Departments of Health or Human Services. Group homes, independent living units, assisted living, board and lodging homes, and other residential facilities or portions thereof that do not have a facility license or registration issued by the state subject to this chapter, including those that provide support services for their residents or that receive program reimbursement or financial assistance; (C) Residential property that is homesteaded and occupied by the owner or the owner’s qualifying relative and two or less tenants where the owner and the tenants share all living space within the dwelling; (D) Rented rooms within an owner-occupied dwelling unit. Up to three nonrelated individuals are allowed; (E) Residential property that has been sold on a contract for deed so long as the vendee occupies the property and the sale document used to memorialize the sale is a state uniform conveyancing blank or is recorded with the County Recorder’s Office and a copy is provided to the city upon request; (F) Residential property that is owned by a person commonly referred to as a “snowbird” when the property is rented or occupied to another person for a period of less than 160 consecutive days while the owner is residing out of the state. The owner must occupy the property during the remainder of the year; or (G) A dwelling owned by a member of the United States Armed Services who is on active duty and the property is rented to another person during the time of active duty. The owner must provide the city with a copy of the owner’s current military orders and must occupy the property when not on active duty as the owner’s primary residence. (Ord. 86, Seventh Series, passed 10-7-2019)
Fergus Falls Ch. 117 § 117.05 carves out several categories of rental property from the city's rental registration requirements. Exempt categories include commercial and industrial rentals, state-licensed residential care facilities, owner-occupied homes shared with two or fewer tenants, owner-occupied dwellings with rented rooms, contract-for-deed properties where the buyer lives on-site, seasonal 'snowbird' rentals of fewer than 160 consecutive days, and active-duty military members' homes rented during deployment. Importantly, an exemption from registration does not shield a property from other applicable building codes or regulations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners who believe their rental arrangement falls under one of the exemptions listed in § 117.05 generally document and retain evidence supporting that classification — such as a copy of military orders, a recorded contract for deed, or proof of homestead status — and provide that documentation to the city upon request. Even when a property qualifies for a registration exemption, operators typically continue to comply with all other applicable building, housing, and safety codes, since § 117.05 explicitly preserves those obligations. Owners whose circumstances change — for example, a 'snowbird' rental that extends beyond 160 consecutive days — should reassess whether the exemption still applies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
If you are renting a unit that your landlord claims is exempt from Fergus Falls Ch. 117 § 117.05's registration requirements, it is worth understanding that the exemption covers only registration — not the full range of housing codes and structural regulations that may still protect you. Tenants can review the specific exemption categories in § 117.05 to evaluate whether their living arrangement genuinely qualifies, and may contact the city of Fergus Falls or a local tenant-rights organization to ask questions about code compliance. If you believe a property is improperly claiming an exemption, raising that concern with the city's relevant department or seeking guidance from a housing advocacy group are general paths available to you.
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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