South St. Paul, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 106, art. VII § 106-242
Conduct in rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit
Operative Text
(a) Provisions. It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to ensure that persons occupying a licensed rental property conduct themselves and cause their guests to conduct themselves in such a manner as not to cause the licensed rental property or surrounding neighborhoods to be disorderly. For the purposes of this section, a licensed rental property is disorderly at any time that any of the following activities occur involving: (1) Noise complaints; (2) Disorderly conduct; (3) Controlled substances; (4) Violations of city code chapter 6 article III regarding intoxicating liquor or 3.2 percent malt liquor; (5) Falsely reporting a crime; (6) Prostitution or acts relating to prostitution; (7) The unlawful use of a firearm or unlawful possession of a firearm; (8) Terroristic threats, not including domestic assault; (9) Contributing to the need for protection or services or delinquency of a minor, child abuse/child endangerment; (10) Violations of subsection 106-241 (maintenance standards for rental dwellings); (11) Murder; (12) Rape, indecent exposure, other sex crimes; (13) Robbery, burglary or theft (including auto theft); (14) Arson, negligent fires; (15) Property damage (including criminal damage to property); (16) Trespass; (17) Warrant arrests; (18) Public health violations; (19) Unlawful eviction in violation of Minn. Stat. ch. 504B; (20) Aiding and abetting the commission of a violation contained herein. (b) First incident. Upon a determination by the city that a licensed rental property was used in a disorderly manner, as described in section 106-242 , the city shall give written notice to the licensee, and the tenant of the incident if the city deems applicable, and direct the licensee to take steps to prevent further incidents. Such notice shall comply with the requirements of a compliance letter issued pursuant to section 38-105 and notify the licensee that if another disorderly incident occurs within six months of the first incident, an administrative citation may be issued. (c) Second incident (two incidents within six months). If a second incident of disorderly use of the licensed rental property occurs within six months of the first notice, the city may issue an administrative citation pursuant to section 38-106 . (d) Third incident (three incidents within 12 months). If a third incident of disorderly use of the rental dwelling unit occurs within 12 months after the first incident noted above ,the city shall issue an administrative citation.
South St. Paul Code of Ordinances ch. 106, art. VII § 106-242 establishes that rental property licensees bear responsibility for ensuring that occupants and their guests do not create disorderly conditions at the property or in surrounding neighborhoods. A broad list of activities—ranging from noise complaints and controlled-substance violations to arson, robbery, and unlawful evictions—can qualify a property as 'disorderly.' The city follows a graduated response: a written warning after the first incident, a discretionary administrative citation after a second incident within six months, and a mandatory administrative citation after a third incident within twelve months of the first.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 106-242, compliant operators actively monitor tenant and guest behavior and respond promptly when disorderly conditions arise, since the licensee bears direct responsibility regardless of who caused the incident. After receiving a first-incident notice, operators typically document the steps they are taking to prevent recurrence, because a second incident within six months can trigger an administrative citation and a third within twelve months will trigger one. Maintaining clear lease provisions that address the listed disorderly activities and communicating expectations to tenants are practices commonly associated with ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 106-242 places the primary legal obligation on the property's licensee, but tenants may receive written notice from the city when a disorderly incident is deemed applicable to them. Tenants who believe a disorderly-use determination was made in error, or who face retaliation or unlawful eviction as a result, may consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Minnesota landlord-tenant law. Reviewing Minn. Stat. ch. 504B protections—referenced directly in the provision—can help tenants understand their rights if an eviction is initiated following a disorderly-use finding.
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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