New Ulm, Minn., Mun. Code § 11.30 (2026) § 11.30

SUBDIVISIONS:Purpose and findings.The City Council of the City of New Ulm finds that there is a need for periodic municipal inspection of residential rental units in the City to ensure that such units meet City and State safety, health, fire and zoning laws and codes in order to promote the public health, safety and welfare of the community at large and the residents of rental units within the City.
The City Council of the City of New Ulm finds that a municipal registration program is appropriate to effectively enforce residential rental unit maintenance standards and correct or prevent law violations, nuisances and other disturbances and disorders involving residential rental units within this City.
The City Council of the City of New Ulm finds that implementing the registration of all residential rental units with the City and performing periodic inspections of such units is an appropriate exercise of authority by the City. Implementation of rental registrations and periodic inspections is delegated to the Fire Department.

Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

“City” means the City of New Ulm, Minnesota, and includes individuals authorized by the City to perform the specific functions described herein.

“Dwelling” means any building or other permanent or temporary structure, including a manufactured or mobile home, which is wholly or partly used, or intended to be used, for living or sleeping by human occupants.

“Local property manager” means a natural person residing within 50 miles of the City who is authorized by the registration holder to make decisions for the registration holder about rental, occupancy and maintenance of the rental unit.

“Owner” means a person or entity which alone or jointly with others owns or has an ownership interest in a dwelling within the city according to the records on file with Brown County, Minnesota. Owner shall include any agent or manager designated by the owner, including the local property manager, to be responsible for the rental property, but the owner shall remain responsible for full compliance with this chapter.

“Registration holder” means a person or entity that is the owner of a rental unit and who has been issued a registration under this section.

“Rent”, “lease”, “let”, or “sublet” means the leasing of a rental unit to a non-owner for a fixed or non-fixed period of time, and may include installment sales, purchases, and other similar arrangements whereby nonpayment of a periodic payment means the occupants may be evicted without the necessity of either a statutory mortgage foreclosure procedure, a statutory termination of contract for deed procedure, or a statutory repossession procedure.

“Rental unit” or “residential rental unit” means any house, apartment, condominium, townhouse, manufactured home, mobile home, room, or group of rooms, constituting or located within a dwelling and forming a habitable unit which is occupied as a residence of a person or persons other than the owner of record. No monetary exchange is required for a residence to be considered a rental unit under this section.

“Shall” and “must” are each mandatory. “Should” and “may” are each permissive or directory.

Registration requirements.No person or entity may hereafter occupy, allow to be occupied, or rent, lease, let or sublet a rental unit, to another person or entity for occupancy for thirty (30) days or longer unless that rental unit is registered for occupancy pursuant to a valid and current rental unit registration issued by the City. Property owners registering a new rental unit must contact the Fire Department for registration information.
Each rental unit registration must identify the registration holder and may designate a local property manager.
All rental agreements or leases used to rent, let, lease, or sublet any rental unit to another person or entity for occupancy shall include and incorporate by reference, as a condition of the occupancy or tenancy, all of terms, provisions and requirements of Subdivisions 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of this section. All tenants or other occupants under any rental agreements or leases used to rent, let, lease, or sublet any rental unit shall be provided a written notice that the terms of the rental agreement or lease include and incorporate all of the terms, provisions and requirements of Subdivisions 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of this section and such written notice shall recite verbatim the terms, provisions and requirements of Subdivisions 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of this section.
Any person or entity desiring to rent, let, lease, or sublet to another any rental unit shall apply for registration by using forms furnished by the City for that purpose. The forms must provide information required by the City, including the following:Name, address, phone number, fax number if any, and email address if any of each owner of the rental unit.
Name, address, phone number, fax number if any, and email address if any of a designated local property manager.
The street address of the rental property.
The number and types of units within the rental property (dwelling units or sleeping rooms).
The maximum number of occupants permitted for each dwelling unit or sleeping room.
The name, address, phone number, fax number if any, and email address if any of the person(s) authorized to make, or order made, repairs or services for the property if in violation of City or State codes, if the person is different than the registration holder or local property manager.

Registration holders shall provide a list of all residents in a rental unit to the City upon request.

Exemptions. This section does not apply to premises which, by reason of federal or state law or regulation, are subject to annual agency-inspection of 100% of the rental units.
Manner of registration and renewal. The City will annually mail registration renewal forms to registration holders or their designated local property managers on or about December 1 of each year. Completed registration renewal forms must be delivered to the City no later than December 31 of each year and are effective for the subsequent calendar year, beginning January 1. Failure of the City to mail renewal forms, or failure of an owner or local property manager to receive a renewal form, does not excuse or waive the registration required by this section.
Transfer of property. Every new owner of a rental unit, whether fee owner or contract purchaser, shall furnish to the City the new owner's name, address, phone number, fax number if any, email address if any, and the name, address, phone number, fax number if any, and email address if any of the new owner's designated local property manager before taking possession of the rental property. No new registration fee is required of the new owner during the year in which such transfer takes place, provided that the previous owner has paid all registration fees and has complied with all requirements of this section and state law and has corrected any violations of health, zoning, fire or safety codes. If any change in the type of occupancy currently registered is contemplated by the new owner, a new registration application will be required.
Posting of registration. Each registration holder must post the rental unit registration in a conspicuous spot within the rental unit and must retain a copy of the rental unit registration on file and be able to produce said copy upon demand. The rental registration shall be posted inside a cabinet near the kitchen sink for single family units and in a common area for multi-unit homes or apartment buildings and shall be provided by the owner to the City inspector upon request in connection with an inspection authorized by this Section. Failure to post the registration and keep the registration posted may be grounds for termination of registration.
Fees. The fees for rental unit registration, registration renewal, late fees, and inspections will be set by resolution of the City Council or in an ordinance adopting the City's fee schedule. Failure to pay required fees will result in the City assessing such amounts to the property through the County.
Posting of registration. Each registration holder must post the rental unit registration in a conspicuous spot within the rental unit and must retain a copy of the rental unit registration on file and be able to produce said copy upon demand. The rental registration shall be posted inside a cabinet near the kitchen sink for single family units and in a common area for multi-unit homes or apartment buildings and shall be provided by the owner to the City inspector upon request in connection with an inspection authorized by this Section. Failure to post the registration and keep the registration posted may be grounds for termination of registration.
Maintenance standards. Every rental unit must be maintained in compliance with the, dwelling maintenance standards, blight, nuisance, and noise ordinances of the City, State of Minnesota nuisance statutes, State of Minnesota dwelling maintenance standards, State of Minnesota health code, and State of Minnesota fire code, as now in force and hereafter amended, revised or replaced, and in compliance with all other standards, ordinances, laws, and regulations governing use, occupancy, construction, and maintenance of property and conduct of persons in or on that property. Rental unit registration does not constitute certification of compliance with such codes, standards, ordinances or statutes.
Inspections and investigations. Upon receipt of an initial rental application, the City will contact the property owner to complete an inspection. Properties will have a scheduled re-inspection on a schedule to be determined by the City. All properties shall be inspected by the City at least once every two years. The City shall have the right to make additional inspections of all properties based on complaints of owners, tenants, neighbors or other individuals. Inspection procedures for minor complaints should be as follows:

Tenant complaint procedure:Verbal notification.
Notify owner in writing to describe the deficiency.
If owner does not respond and address the problem within a reasonable period, tenant may send a copy of the owner notice to the City to report the deficiency.
City inspector arranges to inspect the rental unit.
City inspector notifies the owner in writing describing the deficiency and recommended corrective action.
Owner complaint procedure:Verbal notification.
Notify tenant in writing to describe the deficiency.
If tenant does not respond and address the problem within a reasonable period, owner may send a copy of the tenant notice to the City to report the deficiency.
City inspector arranges to inspect the rental unit.
City inspector notifies the tenant in writing describing the deficiency and recommended corrective action.
However, the City reserves the right to inspect registered properties without regard to the above suggested procedure if the allegations in the complaint would, if true, constitute a condition that is unsafe to persons or property.
Law enforcement personnel, the City Building Official, and their respective designees and representatives are hereby authorized to make inspections reasonably necessary to the enforcement of this section.
All persons authorized herein to inspect shall have the authority to enter, with seven days’ notice to the registration holder or property manager, any rental unit or structure containing a rental unit, registered or required to be registered, for the purpose of enforcing this section. All registration holders shall, as a condition of registration, consent to such entries for inspection without warrant and all registration holders shall include, as a condition of any lease or rental agreement with any tenant or occupant, that such tenants or occupants consent to such entries for inspection without warrant. This provision does not limit or preclude any other right of entry authorized by law.
Following an inspection, written notice of a violation of this section may be given to the registration holder by either email or first-class mail directed to the address of the registration holder as shown by the City's registration application file. Registration holders must correct each violation within the timeframe specified in the notice. Said notice may contain a compliance order stating that compliance with this section shall be made immediately and, in that case, the notice shall advise the registration holder that the property may be re-inspected at a time to be determined by the City. Once violations have been corrected, registration holders shall submit a signed Inspection Code Violation Certificate to the Fire Department stating that all violations have been corrected with associated work orders and receipts attached.
Any person who is convicted for failure to comply with a compliance order shall be punished by a fine not to exceed the maximum penalty for misdemeanor crimes, together with the cost of prosecution. Each day of such failure to comply shall constitute a separate punishable offense.

Failure to grant registration; revocation, suspension or failure to renew registration.The City reserves the right to refuse to register a rental unit if it does not comply with the requirements of this section.
Any registration issued under this section is subject to the right, which is hereby expressly reserved by the City, to deny, suspend, revoke or not renew the same should the registration holder or the registration holder’s agents, employees, representatives, or lessees directly or indirectly fail to comply with the requirements of this section or if the rental dwelling is operated or maintained in a manner or condition that violates the provisions of this section or any other ordinance of the City or any special permit issued by the City, or the laws of the State of Minnesota. Registration shall not be denied, suspended, revoked, or not renewed if the registration holder complies with all outstanding compliance orders in a timely manner as determined by the City.
A registration shall only be revoked or suspended for cause. For the purposes of this section, cause for revocation or suspension shall mean:A violation of the terms or conditions of this Section or other law applicable to the residential rental unit(s) for which the registration was issued;
Material inaccuracies in any application materials, reports or other information submitted to the city regarding the residential rental unit(s) for which the registration was issued;
Fraud practiced upon the city; or
Conviction of a crime related to the residential rental unit(s) for which the registration was issued.

A registration may not be revoked without providing the registration holder an opportunity to be heard on the issue by the city council in a public hearing. The City shall notify the registration holder if registration is being denied, suspended, revoked or not renewed. Notice shall be served on the registration holder in person or by certified mail with return receipt requested. The Notice shall include the following:The cause for denial, revocation, or suspension;
That the registration holder is entitled to a public hearing before the city council if a written request for such a hearing is submitted to the city clerk within five (5) business days after service of the notice;
That a hearing will be set, if requested, for a date, time and place;
That the registrant will be informed of the date, time and place of the hearing, if requested; and
That failure to request a hearing will result in the suspension or revocation of the registration.
If requested, a public hearing on the registration shall be held at a regular or special meeting of the city council. The presiding officer shall make a statement as to the reason for the hearing and make every reasonable effort to ensure a fair and full presentation of the facts and arguments by the registration holder and the city and representatives or counsel for each. When the public hearing is closed, the presiding officer shall advise the council that any decision to suspend or revoke must be made for cause as defined in this section. A decision shall be made by the city council within a reasonable time and not more than twenty (20) days after the day the public hearing is closed and promptly communicated to the registration holder in writing.

Summary action. As a condition of receiving rental unit registration, each registration holder is presumed to agree and consent that when the conduct of any registration holder or registration holder's agent, representative, employee or lessee, or the condition of a rental unit, or the property in or on which it is located, is detrimental to the public health, sanitation, safety, and/or general welfare of the community at large, or to residents of a rental unit so as to constitute a nuisance, fire hazard, or other unsafe or dangerous condition, the City shall have the authority to summarily condemn or close individual rental units or such areas of the rental dwelling as the City deems necessary. Notice of summary condemnation shall be posted at the units or areas affected and shall describe the units or areas affected. No person shall remove the posted notice, other than an authorized representative of the City.
Interim housing. As a condition of receiving a rental unit registration, the registration holder agrees that in the event that the registration is denied, suspended, revoked, or not renewed due to the action or inaction of the registration holder or registration holder's agent, representative, employee or lessee, all tenants or sub-tenants of the residential rental unit shall be provided, at the registration holder's expense, suitable interim housing approved by the City. The registration holder shall provide such interim housing until the registration for the unit is restored or until the end of the lease term, whichever occurs first. Failure of the registration holder to provide and/or pay for such interim housing shall be grounds for suspension of all rental unit registrations the registration holder has in the City.
Applicable laws. Registration holders are subject to all of the ordinances, laws, and regulations of the City and State of Minnesota relating to rental dwellings, and this section shall not be construed or interpreted to supersede or limit any other applicable ordinance, law, or regulation.
Injunctive relief. Nothing in this section prevents the City from taking enforcement action under any of its fire, housing, zoning, health, safety or other codes, ordinances and State laws for violations thereof, or to seek injunctive relief for violations of any ordinance, code, or law. Nothing contained in this section prevents the City from seeking injunctive relief against a property owner or designated property manager who fails to comply with the terms and conditions of this section or to obtain an order closing such rental units until violations of this section have been remedied by the property owner or designated property manager.
Criminal penalties. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, upon conviction thereof by lawful authority, be punished by a fine not to exceed the maximum penalty for misdemeanor crimes, together with the costs of prosecution. All costs of prosecution will be assessed to the property owner. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate punishable offense. No provision of this section designating the duties of any official or employee of the City shall be so construed as to make such official or employee liable for the penalty provided in this subdivision because of failure to perform such duty.
Written notices. Notices from the City required by this section shall be effective if personally delivered or if mailed to the addressee by first class mail to the address shown for the recipient of the notice in the City file pertaining to the rental unit involved in the notice.
Severability clause. If any subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this section is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect validity of the remaining portions of this section.