North Oaks, Minn., City Ordinances ch. 114 (2026) § 114.20
Definitions
Operative Text
§ 114.20. DEFINITIONS
(A) As used in this Ordinance, the following terms mean:
1. “Applicant" means the Owner of the Dwelling who applies for the license.
2. "Agent" means a person designated in writing by the Owner as the Owner's
representative.
3. "Certificate of Compliance” means a document issued by the City, stating that the
dwelling unit has been inspected and is in compliance with applicable property maintenance codes and
regulations.
4. "City" means the City of North Oaks located in Minnesota.
5. “City Administrator” means the City Administrator or the City Administrator's
designated representative.
6. "Dwelling" means a building or one or more portions thereof occupied or intended to be
occupied for residential purposes; but not including rooms in motels, hotels, tents and recreational
vehicles.
7. “Dwelling Unit" means a residential accommodation located within a dwelling that
includes permanently installed cooking and sanitation facilities, designed or intended for use as living
quarters for a single family.
8. "Multi-Family Dwelling” (MFD) means a Dwelling with more than one Dwelling Unit.
9. "Occupant" means a person who lives or sleeps in a Dwelling Unit.
10. "Owner" means a natural person who is the recorded or unrecorded owner of the
dwelling unit, an individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership or any other legal entity.
11. "Rental Dwelling" means a Dwelling. Dwelling Unit or any part thereof, that is offered
for rental or that the owner plans to offer for rental or permitted occupancy pursuant to an agreement,
written or unwritten agreement, whether or not a fee is required by the agreement.
12. "Rental Dwelling License” means a license issued by the City in accordance with this
Ordinance that allows occupancy of a Rental Dwelling by an Occupant other than the Owner and
permits the Owner to charge, accept or retain compensation for any Rental Dwelling in the City.
(Ord. 121 passed 8-11-2016; Am. Ord. 125 passed 5-11-2017; Am. Ord. 137 passed 11-10-2021).Section 114.20 of North Oaks City Ordinances Ch. 114 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the rental property regulations. It defines key terms such as "Dwelling," "Dwelling Unit," "Rental Dwelling," and "Rental Dwelling License," clarifying the scope of who and what is covered by the ordinance. Notably, the definitions draw distinctions between different property types—for example, excluding motels, hotels, tents, and recreational vehicles from the definition of "Dwelling"—and clarify that a rental arrangement can exist with or without a formal written agreement or monetary fee.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in North Oaks should familiarize themselves with the definitions set out in § 114.20, as these terms carry specific legal meanings throughout the entire rental licensing ordinance. For instance, the definition of "Rental Dwelling" is broad enough to cover any property offered or intended for rental, regardless of whether a fee is charged or a written lease exists, meaning compliance obligations can attach even in informal arrangements. Compliant operators typically ensure they understand which of their properties qualify as Rental Dwellings or Multi-Family Dwellings under these definitions before pursuing the appropriate Rental Dwelling License.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants in North Oaks, § 114.20 provides important context for understanding the protections and requirements that apply to their housing situation. The broad definition of "Rental Dwelling" means that a wide range of living arrangements—including those without a formal lease or monetary rent—may fall under the ordinance's protections and licensing requirements. Tenants who believe their housing may not be properly licensed or compliant can reference these definitions when seeking guidance from a tenant-rights organization or when raising concerns with the City of North Oaks.
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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