Orono, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 4.04, art. IV § 4.04.450
License suspension, revocation, and nonrenewal
Operative Text
(a) The actions enumerated in subsection (b) of this section by property owners or license holders are misdemeanors and are subject to civil penalties, may constitute the basis for suspension, revocation, or nonrenewal of licenses, and may result in injunctive action by the city. The property owner shall be responsible for the conduct of its agents and employees while engaged in normal business activities on the licensed premises. Any violation of this article shall be considered an act of the property owner or license holder for purposes of imposing a civil penalty or license suspension or revocation. If a license is suspended or revoked, it is unlawful for the owner to permit new occupancy of any vacant rental unit, or any units that become vacant during the license injunction. (b) Basis for sanctions. The city administrator or designee may revoke, suspend, or decline to renew any license issued under this article for part or all of a rental residential building or rental dwelling unit upon the following grounds: (1) Leasing without a license. Leasing residential units without a license or units subject to license suspension or revocation. (2) Violations of codes. Violation of the building, fire, or safety code. (3) Commission of a felony. Commission of a felony related to the licensed activity by the property owner or manager. (4) Updated application information. Failure to provide updated application information during the license period. (5) False statements. False statements on any application or other information or report required by this article to be given by the applicant or licensee. (6) Fees. Failure to pay any application fee or penalty required by this article or city council resolution. (7) Delinquent taxes or fines. Real estate or personal property taxes have become delinquent or unpaid fines. (8) Failure to meet license standards. Failure to meet the license standards enumerated in section 4.04.430 (7). (9) Disorderly use. Failure to take any action required by section 4.04.480 . (c) Upon denial, suspension, revocation or other enforcement action on a license, the city will notify all affected tenants of the action against the license. If the license is revoked or suspended the licensee may not let, rent, or allow to be occupied any vacant dwelling units, or dwelling units that become vacant during the revocation or suspension period. (d) The minimum penalty for three or more violations of this article relate to the same license within a 12-month period is suspension of the rental license for 12 months.
Orono Code of Ordinances ch. 4.04, art. IV § 4.04.450 establishes a framework under which rental property licenses can be suspended, revoked, or not renewed when property owners or license holders commit certain violations—ranging from leasing without a license to code violations, felonies, false statements, delinquent taxes, and failure to address disorderly use. These violations are classified as misdemeanors and can also trigger civil penalties or city-initiated injunctive action. When a license is suspended or revoked, the owner is prohibited from allowing new tenants to occupy any vacant units during that period. If three or more violations tied to the same license occur within a 12-month window, the minimum consequence is a 12-month license suspension.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Orono Code of Ordinances ch. 4.04, art. IV § 4.04.450 generally maintain compliance by keeping their rental license current, paying all required fees and taxes on time, ensuring building and fire codes are met, and promptly updating application information whenever it changes. Compliant operators avoid submitting false statements on any application or report and take required action under § 4.04.480 to address disorderly use situations. Because the ordinance holds owners responsible for the conduct of their agents and employees, operators typically implement internal oversight practices to prevent violations that could accumulate toward the 12-month suspension threshold.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Orono Code of Ordinances ch. 4.04, art. IV § 4.04.450, tenants have a right to be notified by the city whenever an enforcement action—such as a denial, suspension, or revocation—is taken against their building's rental license. During a suspension or revocation period, the owner is legally prohibited from renting out vacant units, which is a protection built into the ordinance. Tenants who believe their landlord may be operating in violation of this article can contact the city administrator's office to inquire about license status, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to better understand 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.
Related Rules
Source Information
Use this in your app
Access this data programmatically via our API