Otsego, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 100 (2026) § 4-6-11
DWELLINGS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION
Operative Text
A. Any rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit which is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, or vermin or rodent infested, or which lacks provision for basic illumination, ventilation or sanitary facilities to the extent that the defects create a hazard to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or of the public may be declared unfit for human habitation. Whenever any rental dwelling, rental dwelling unit or rooming unit has been declared unfit for human habitation, the compliance official shall order the dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit vacated within a reasonable amount of time and shall post a placard on the dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit indicating that it is unfit for human habitation, and any operating license previously issued for such dwelling shall be revoked. B. It shall be unlawful for such rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit to be used for human habitation until the defective conditions have been corrected and written approval has been issued by the compliance official. It shall be unlawful for any person to deface or remove the declaration placard from any such rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit. C. The owner of any rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit which has been declared unfit for human habitation, or which is otherwise vacant for a period of sixty (60) days or more, shall make the dwelling or dwelling unit safe and secure so that it is not hazardous to the health, safety and welfare of the public and does not constitute a public nuisance. Any vacant dwelling open at doors or windows, if unguarded, shall be deemed to be a hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the public and a public nuisance within the meaning of this chapter. D. If a rental dwelling unit has been declared unfit for human habitation and the owner has not remedied the defects within a prescribed reasonable time, the dwelling may be declared a hazardous building and treated consistent with the provisions of State Statutes. (Prior Code § 7-11-11)
Otsego Ch. 100 § 4-6-11 establishes a process by which rental dwellings or units found to be damaged, decayed, unsanitary, unsafe, or infested—or lacking basic illumination, ventilation, or sanitary facilities—can be officially declared unfit for human habitation. Once such a declaration is made, the compliance official is required to order the property vacated, post a placard on the unit, and revoke any existing operating license. The unit cannot legally be re-occupied until all defects are corrected and the compliance official issues written approval, and tampering with or removing the posted placard is itself unlawful. Owners of vacant or condemned units must also keep them secured so they do not pose a public nuisance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Otsego Ch. 100 § 4-6-11, compliant rental property operators generally maintain their units free of decay, infestation, and hazardous conditions, and ensure that basic illumination, ventilation, and sanitary facilities are functional. If a unit is declared unfit for human habitation, operators are expected to vacate the unit within the time ordered, leave the compliance official's placard undisturbed, and work promptly to correct all cited defects before seeking written re-approval to re-rent. Owners of units that remain vacant for 60 or more days are also responsible for keeping those properties secured against becoming a public nuisance, and failure to remedy defects within a prescribed timeframe can result in the property being classified as a hazardous building under State Statutes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Otsego Ch. 100 § 4-6-11 provides that tenants living in rental units with serious hazards—such as infestation, structural decay, or the absence of basic sanitation or ventilation—have the right to have those conditions formally evaluated by the compliance official, who has authority to declare the unit unfit for human habitation. If such a declaration is issued, the unit must be vacated and cannot lawfully be re-rented until defects are corrected and written approval is granted, which means a landlord cannot legally place new tenants in a condemned unit. Tenants who believe their unit may meet the conditions described in § 4-6-11 may consider contacting the local compliance office to request an inspection, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance on 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.
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