Grand Rapids, Minn., Mun. Code ch. 28 (2026) § 28-38
Registration Standards And Conditions
Operative Text
The following minimum standards and conditions shall be met in order to hold a registration permit. Failure to comply with any of these standards and conditions shall be adequate grounds for the denial, refusal to renew, revocation, or suspension of a registration permit. Permit holder shall have paid the required permit fee(s); Rental units shall not exceed the maximum number of rental units permitted by the zoning code; The rental unit shall not be under condemnation as hazardous or unfit for human habitation; Every rental unit shall be maintained in accordance with the minimum standards set forth in the applicable codes adopted by the city including but not limited to the International Property Maintenance Code; Fire Code; International Building Code and International Residential Code, as the same may be amended from time to time, as adopted. No rental registration permit may be issued unless each rental unit for which it is issued meets all minimum applicable housing, building, fire, and zoning standards. All single-family dwellings and duplexes that were unlicensed or not used as rental properties on the effective date of this chapter and subsequently registered or converted to registered rental unit(s), shall provide the off-street parking spaces required under this article. The number of required off-street parking spaces shall be determined by the city zoning official at the time of registration. All rental units existing or registered on the effective date of this chapter may be registered or continue to be registered even though the property does not conform to the off-street parking requirements of this article. However, if the number of bedrooms, or number of rooms occupied as bedrooms, is increased, the off-street parking requirements of this article shall apply to the entire registered property. If the registration for the nonconforming rental is revoked or lapses for any period of time, all nonconforming use rights related to off-street parking requirements shall terminate. HISTORY Adopted by Ord. 21-02-01 on 2/22/2021
Grand Rapids City Code § 28-38 establishes the minimum conditions a rental property must meet to obtain and keep a registration permit. These conditions include paying required fees, staying within zoning-allowed unit counts, avoiding condemnation status, meeting applicable building and fire codes, and satisfying off-street parking requirements. Properties that were already registered when the ordinance took effect may continue operating even if they don't meet current parking standards, but that grandfathered status can be lost if the registration lapses or the number of bedrooms increases.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 28-38, compliant rental operators in Grand Rapids maintain current permit fees, ensure their properties meet all applicable building, fire, and zoning codes, and keep unit counts within zoning limits. Operators of newly registered single-family homes or duplexes that were not previously used as rentals must provide the off-street parking spaces determined by the city zoning official at the time of registration. Landlords with grandfathered nonconforming parking status should be aware that adding bedrooms or allowing a registration to lapse—even temporarily—can permanently eliminate that status and trigger full parking compliance requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 28-38 gives tenants a basis to check whether their landlord holds a valid registration permit and whether the rental unit meets the minimum standards required to maintain it, including habitability, fire safety, and building codes. If a unit is under condemnation or otherwise fails these standards, the landlord may not legally hold a registration permit for it, which can be relevant when raising habitability concerns with the city. Tenants who believe their unit does not meet the conditions outlined in § 28-38 may contact the City of Grand Rapids to inquire about permit status or file a complaint, and tenant-rights organizations can help explain what options may be available.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.