Newport, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-90

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this article is to protect the public health, safety and the general welfare of the rental population of the city. These general objectives include, among others, the following:
(1) To maintain a quality character and stability of rental dwelling units within the city.
(2) To correct and prevent rental housing conditions that adversely affect or are likely to adversely affect the life, safety, general welfare and health of persons occupying rental dwellings within the city.
(3) To provide minimum standards for cooking, heating and sanitary equipment necessary to the health and safety of occupants of rental buildings.
(4) To provide minimum standards of light and ventilation necessary to health and safety.
(5) To provide minimum standards for the maintenance of existing rental buildings, and to thus prevent slums and blight.
(6) To preserve the value of land and buildings throughout the city.
(7) To help owners and landlords by allowing landlords to enter problem units and prevent overcrowding of units.
(b) Intent. It is not the intention of the city council to intrude upon the fair and accepted contractual relationship between tenant and landlord. The city council shall not intervene as an advocate of either party, nor to act as an arbiter, nor to be receptive to complaints from tenant or landlord, which are not specifically and clearly relevant to the provisions of this article.
(c) Application of requirements. Every rental dwelling unit and its premises used in whole or in part as a home or residence, or as an accessory structure thereof, for a single-family or person, shall conform to the requirements of this article, irrespective of when such building may have been constructed, altered or repaired. This article establishes minimum standards for erected rental dwelling units, accessory structures and related premises.