Maplewood, Minn., City Code ch. 12, art. XIII § 12-601
Definitions
Operative Text
Words used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless otherwise defined in this chapter. (1) City manager means the City of Maplewood City Manager or his or her designee. (2) Dwelling means a building or one or more portions of a building occupied or intended to be occupied for residential purposes. (3) Let or rent means to permit possession or occupancy of a dwelling by a person who is not the legal owner of record thereof, pursuant to the terms of a written or unwritten lease. (4) Licensee means an owner that operates a rental dwelling and is required to be licensed under this chapter. (5) Manager means any person who has charge, care, or control of a rental dwelling. (6) Occupant means any person occupying, living, or sleeping or having possession of a space within any dwelling. (7) Operate means to charge a rental charge, fee or other form of monetary or non-monetary compensation for the use of a rental dwelling. (8) Owner means a person or person holding title to a property or otherwise having control of the property, as recorded in the official state, county, or city records. (9) Person may be an individual, corporation, firm, association, company, partnership, organization or any other group acting as a unit. (10) Qualifying relative means the owner's parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece. This relationship may be either by blood or by marriage. (11) Rental dwelling means any building or portion of a building which is let or rent to one or more persons who are not the owner or qualifying relative. (12) Rental dwelling inspection certificate means a certificate issued by the city manager after the rental dwelling has passed a rental dwelling inspection. (13) Tenant means any person occupying a dwelling unit or having possession of a space within a dwelling unit who pays, in any manner, for the right to occupy such space or who has a leasehold right to occupy the dwelling unit.
Maplewood City Code ch. 12, art. XIII § 12-601 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Maplewood's rental dwelling regulations. Key terms such as "rental dwelling," "licensee," "tenant," "owner," and "qualifying relative" are given specific legal meanings that govern how the rest of the chapter is interpreted and applied. Notably, a rental dwelling does not include units occupied by the owner or a qualifying relative (defined as close family by blood or marriage), which affects which properties fall under the chapter's licensing and inspection requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 12-601, property owners and managers should be aware that the definitions in this section determine whether their property qualifies as a "rental dwelling" subject to licensing and inspection obligations. An owner who allows a qualifying relative—such as a parent, child, sibling, or their spouses—to occupy a unit may find that unit falls outside the chapter's definition of a rental dwelling. Operators who charge any form of compensation, monetary or otherwise, for use of a dwelling are captured by the definition of "operate" and should understand that this broad framing may bring arrangements beyond traditional leases within the chapter's scope.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 12-601 defines "tenant" broadly to include anyone who pays in any manner—not just cash rent—for the right to occupy a dwelling unit, or who holds a leasehold right to occupy. This means that tenants in non-traditional arrangements may still be covered by the protections and requirements established elsewhere in Maplewood's rental dwelling chapter. Tenants who are uncertain whether their living situation falls within these definitions may benefit from consulting a local tenant-rights organization or reviewing the full chapter for context.
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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