Mankato, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 7 § 7-25
License required
Operative Text
(a) It is unlawful for any person, as the owner, manager, or other person having control of any dwelling unit, to lease, rent, offer for rent or lease, or permit to be leased, rented or offered for rent or lease, or permit the occupancy of any dwelling unit within the city without first having obtained a rental license for such dwelling unit as hereafter provided. (b) A rental license shall be required in the following situations: (1) A dwelling unit is rented or leased as defined by this chapter; or (2) A dwelling unit is not occupied by the owner, but is occupied by one or more persons that are unrelated to the owner of the unit; or (3) A dwelling unit is occupied by the owner and one or more persons unrelated to the owner. An owner occupying a dwelling unit with one unrelated person under the definition of the term "functional family" shall not be required to obtain a rental license provided the property is not rented or leased as defined by this chapter; or (4) A dwelling is not occupied by the owner, but is occupied by a person related by blood to the owner and one or more persons that are unrelated to the owner. (c) Residential occupancies shall conform to the standards of section 10-40 . (d) For the purposes of determining occupancy for rental, the following standards shall apply: (1) A guest may occupy a licensed or unlicensed dwelling unit, provided the guest does not reside in the dwelling unit for more than seven days within a consecutive 30-day period and the guest has a documented permanent residence other than the dwelling unit in which they are considered a guest. (2) The occupancy of a dwelling unit shall comply with the occupancy restrictions of the residential districts as stated in section 10-40 . a. Residential occupancies of single-and two-family dwelling units in the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts shall be limited to functional family or traditional family as defined in section 10-2 . b. In the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts, single- and two-family dwelling units that were licensed for rental purposes prior to June 28, 1999, may continue the existing use or occupancy, if such use or occupancy was legal at the time the rental license was issued and the rental license has not since lapsed. (3) Changes or alterations to the dwelling unit are prohibited that would increase the potential occupancy of the dwelling from what was approved when the rental license was issued. Such prohibited changes to the dwelling unit include expanding or adding bedrooms or any other changes that under this chapter or the state building code would result in allowing additional occupants from what was approved at the time the rental license was issued. (4) In no instance, may more than five individuals or tenants reside in a single-family or two-family dwelling unit unless the occupancy is considered traditional family or functional family as defined in section 10-2 . This limitation shall not apply to: a. State-licensed residential facilities as referenced in M.S.A. § 462.357, subd. 7. b. Other permitted, conditional, or legal nonconforming uses in the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts. c. A reasonable accommodation granted by the city manager in order to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act, 42 USC 45.
Mankato Code of Ordinances ch. 7 § 7-25 establishes that operating a rental dwelling unit within the city without a valid rental license is unlawful. The licensing requirement applies broadly — covering situations where a unit is rented, leased, or occupied by persons unrelated to the owner — with limited exceptions such as owner-occupants sharing with one unrelated person under the 'functional family' definition. The provision also sets occupancy standards, including a general cap of five unrelated individuals in single- or two-family dwellings, and restricts physical alterations that would increase the number of approved occupants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mankato Code of Ordinances ch. 7 § 7-25, compliant rental operators obtain a rental license before leasing, renting, or allowing occupancy of any dwelling unit covered by the ordinance. Operators generally ensure that occupancy arrangements — including the number of unrelated residents and any physical changes to the unit — remain within the limits approved at the time the license was issued. Landlords managing properties in R-1 and R-2 zoning districts pay particular attention to the functional family and traditional family definitions, as well as the five-person occupancy cap for unrelated individuals, to keep their licenses in good standing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mankato Code of Ordinances ch. 7 § 7-25 requires that landlords hold a valid rental license for any unit they rent or lease, which means tenants have a basis to inquire whether their unit is properly licensed before or during occupancy. The ordinance also limits how many unrelated individuals may reside in a single- or two-family dwelling and restricts unauthorized alterations that could affect approved occupancy levels. Tenants who believe their unit is unlicensed or that occupancy rules are being violated may contact the City of Mankato's relevant housing or code enforcement office, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about available options.
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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