Waseca, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 155 (2026) § 116.02
INSPECTION AND LICENSING
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or operate or cause to be operated either as owner, lessee, agent or in any other capacity within the city any rental housing, as defined in § 116.01 , without having first obtained a license to do so as hereafter provided. It shall be unlawful for an owner, designated agent or operator, after notice has been sent by first class mail, to continue operation of a rental dwelling unit without submitting an application for a license under this chapter, along with the necessary fee. Inspection of a rental dwelling shall be done prior to issuance of an initial rental housing license, prior to rental housing license renewal, and upon a rental housing tenant's filing of a complaint with the city of rental housing conditions that are subject to the standards herein. Except for conditions that pose an imminent risk to health and safety, a tenant must provide the following prior to filing a complaint with the city: (1) Provide written notice to the owner or property manager, (2) allow at least 14 days for the owner or manager to respond, (3) provide the city with documentation showing that the owner or manager was notified and given a sufficient amount of time to correct the complaint. (`86 Code, § 4.93) (Am. Ord. 705, passed 10-7-97; Am. Ord. 803, passed 8-20-02; Am. Ord. 937, passed 11-20-07; Am. Ord. 1117, passed 8-20-24) Penalty, see § 116.99
Waseca Ch. 155 § 116.02 establishes that operating any rental housing within the city without a valid license is prohibited. Inspections are required before an initial license is issued, before each renewal, and when a tenant files a qualifying complaint with the city. Before filing a complaint about housing conditions — unless there is an imminent health or safety risk — a tenant must first give written notice to the owner or property manager, allow at least 14 days for a response, and then provide the city with documentation of that notice and the time given to correct the issue.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Waseca Ch. 155 § 116.02, compliant rental operators in Waseca obtain a license before renting any unit and keep that license current through timely renewals. Operators generally respond promptly to written tenant complaints, since a failure to act within 14 days can lead to the tenant escalating the matter to the city and triggering a formal inspection. Continuing to operate a rental unit after receiving mailed notice from the city without submitting a license application and fee is itself a separate violation of this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Waseca Ch. 155 § 116.02 gives tenants the right to file a complaint with the city about substandard rental housing conditions, which can prompt an official inspection of the property. Except when conditions pose an imminent risk to health or safety, tenants are generally expected to first notify the owner or property manager in writing, wait at least 14 days for a response, and then provide the city with documentation of that notice before the city will act on the complaint. Tenants who believe their rental unit is being operated without a required license or who face unresolved habitability issues may wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization to understand the options available under this provision.
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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