Sartell, Minn., City Code title 4 ch. 8 (2026) § 4-8-3
Definitions
Operative Text
4-9-3: DEFINITIONS:
BUILDING Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any
use or occupancy.
CRIME FREE MULTI-HOUSING Is a three-phase certification program available to owners and
PROGRAM (CFMH) property managers of multi-family rental properties located within
the corporate limits of the City of Sartell. Necessary training and
support of the program is designed to provide for ease of
participation. The program is known to be effective in reducing
criminal activity in multi-family rental properties.
DWELLING Any enclosed space which is wholly or partly used or intended to
be used for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating purposes.
Manufactured, industrialized and modular home constructions are
included in this definition.
DWELLING UNIT A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for
one (1) or more persons, including permanent provisions for
living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
EGRESS An arrangement of exit facilities to assure a safe means of exit
from a building.
HABITABLE ROOM A room or enclosed floor space, used or intended to be used for
living, sleeping, cooking, or eating, excluding bathrooms, water
closet compartments, laundries, pantries, foyers or
communicating corridors, closets, and storage spaces.
HOUSING INSPECTOR The Building Official, Code Official, Fire Chief or appointee,
Police Chief, or their designee authorized to administer and
enforce this Ordinance.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER An individual related to the owner as parent, grandparent,
spouse, child, or grandchild, whether related by birth, adoption,
marriage, civil partnership, or cohabitation.
LET To allow or offer occupancy of any rental property to a tenant.
MANAGER The owner or owner's agent who has charge, care, control, or
management of a building or rental unit(s), or part thereof, in
which dwelling units, manufactured homes or rooming units are
let.
MANUFACTURED HOME A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which in the
traveling mode is eight (8) body feet or more in width or forty (40)
body feet or more in length or, when erected on site, is three
hundred twenty (320) or more square feet, and which is built on
a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling
with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the
required utilities, and includes the structure's plumbing, heating,
air conditioning and electrical systems as defined in Minnesota
Statutes 327.
MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL PROPERTY A rental property that consists of three (3) or more rental units.
OCCUPANCY The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is occupied.
OCCUPANT Any person (including the owner or manager) living, sleeping,
cooking, or eating in, or having actual possession of, a dwelling,
dwelling unit, rental unit or rooming unit.
OWNER Any person who, alone, jointly, or severally with others, shall be
in actual possession of, or have charge, care or control of, any
rental property within the City as title holder, employee or agent
of the title holder, operator, or as trustee or guardian of the
estate or person of the title holder. Any such person representing
the actual title holder shall be bound to comply with the
provisions of this Chapter to the same extent as the title holder.
PERSON Any natural person, his/her heirs, executors, administrators or
assigns, and also includes a firm, partnership, limited liability
company, cooperative or corporation, it’s or their successors or
assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.
RENTAL CHARGE Any compensation, either monetary or “in lieu of” payments,
such as, but not limited to, utilities, upkeep, or repair, but not
including provision of in home care to the Property owner.
RENTAL PROPERTY Any real property, dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit or rental
unit which is rented or leased by one person or entity to another
person or entity for payment of a rental charge, including but not
limited to dwellings, apartments, townhouses, condominiums,
manufactured homes, rooming houses, and other similar
structures, including their accessory structures, appurtenances
and common areas.
RENTAL UNIT Any building, room or combination of rooms, manufactured home
or other rental property
ROOMING HOUSE A building or structure providing a room or rooms intended for
living and sleeping to persons in the status of tenant. This term
shall include fraternity houses and sorority houses, but does not
include hotels, motels or hospitals.
ROOMING UNIT Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used
or intended to be used primarily for living and sleeping.
SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL PROPERTY A rental property that consists of less than three (3) rental units.
SLEEPING ROOM Any room or rooms used or intended to be used by a tenant for
sleeping purposes.
TENANT One who has as his/her place of abode a rental unit furnished to
him/her for payment of a rental charge to another.Section 4-8-3 (cross-referenced as 4-9-3 in the text) of Sartell's Rental Property Licensing and Maintenance ordinance establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the chapter. Terms such as "dwelling unit," "rental property," "owner," "tenant," and "housing inspector" are given specific legal meanings that govern how all other provisions in the chapter are interpreted and applied. For example, the definition of "owner" is broad enough to include agents, trustees, and guardians who control property on a title holder's behalf, binding them to the same obligations as the title holder. The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is also defined here as a voluntary three-phase certification available to owners and managers of properties with three or more rental units within Sartell city limits.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 4-8-3, the definition of "owner" extends to anyone who has charge, care, or control of a rental property—meaning agents, property managers, and other representatives carry the same compliance obligations as the title holder under this ordinance. Operators of properties with three or more units should be aware that such properties meet the definition of "multi-family rental property" and may be subject to distinct requirements elsewhere in the chapter, including eligibility for the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program. Compliant managers typically ensure that anyone acting on behalf of the title holder understands that the ordinance's definitions apply equally to them.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4-8-3 defines "tenant" as a person whose place of abode is a rental unit provided in exchange for a rental charge, and "rental charge" is defined broadly to include non-monetary compensation such as utilities or upkeep—not just cash rent. This means that arrangements where a tenant performs services in lieu of rent may still fall within the ordinance's scope and carry the same protections and obligations. Tenants who have questions about whether their living arrangement qualifies under these definitions, or how those definitions affect their rights under the broader chapter, may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the full Sartell ordinance text.
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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