Shoreview, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 30 § 30-2
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Agent means a person designated in writing by the owner as the owner's representative. 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. City manager means the city manager or their designee. 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, nursing homes, boardinghouses, tents and recreational vehicles. 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. Dwelling unit, general, (GDU) means a dwelling unit located in a building that contains up to ten (10) dwelling units that may be detached, attached side-by-side, stacked ceiling to floor and having a common entrance and do not have common ownership. Dwelling unit, multifamily, (MFD) means a community, complex or building containing eleven (11) or more dwelling units that may be attached side-by-side, stacked ceiling to floor and have a common entrance and have a common owner. Occupant means a person who lives or sleeps in a dwelling unit. Owner means a person who is the recorded or unrecorded owner of the dwelling unit. Rent means to permit occupancy of a dwelling unit by a person other than the legal owner thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten agreement, whether or not a fee is required by the agreement. Rental dwelling means a dwelling unit that has been rented, but excluding accessory apartments and boarding rooms where the owner of the dwelling unit is an occupant. Short-term rental means a dwelling unit or portion of a dwelling unit including accessory apartments or boarding rooms rented for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less.
Shoreview Code of Ordinances ch. 30 § 30-2 establishes the official definitions that govern how key terms are interpreted throughout Chapter 30 of the city's rental housing regulations. Words like "dwelling unit," "owner," "agent," "rent," and "rental dwelling" carry specific legal meanings under this section, which distinguish between general dwelling units (up to 10 units) and multifamily dwelling units (11 or more). Short-term rentals—those lasting 30 consecutive days or fewer—are treated as a distinct category, and owner-occupied accessory apartments and boarding rooms are explicitly carved out of the "rental dwelling" definition.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Shoreview should familiarize themselves with the definitions in ch. 30 § 30-2, as these terms determine which regulatory requirements apply to their properties. For example, whether a building qualifies as a general dwelling unit (GDU) or a multifamily dwelling unit (MFD) depends on the number of units, which can affect compliance obligations under the chapter. Owners who designate a representative should do so in writing, as § 30-2 requires written designation for a person to qualify as an "agent" under the code.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Shoreview rental housing should be aware that ch. 30 § 30-2 sets out the foundational definitions that shape their rights and protections under the chapter, including what qualifies as a "rental dwelling" and whether a unit falls under the general or multifamily category. Notably, the definition of "rent" under this section is broad and covers occupancy arrangements regardless of whether a fee is charged or a written lease exists. Tenants who have questions about how these definitions apply to their housing situation may wish to contact the City of Shoreview directly or consult a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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