West Saint Paul, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 155 (2026) § 150.036
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
Words used in this subchapter shall have the following meanings unless otherwise defined in this subchapter. ALTERNATIVE INSPECTION REPORT . A rental dwelling inspection report that the applicant obtains from a building inspector for the purposes of receiving United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) rental approval. APARTMENT . A community, complex or building having a common owner and containing at least one rental dwelling unit. CITY INSPECTOR’S REPORT or INSPECTION REPORT . A rental dwelling inspection report prepared and signed by a city inspector. CITY MANAGER . The West St. Paul City Manager or his or her designee. COMPLEX . The total number of buildings on the license application or contiguous rental properties under the same ownership. DWELLING . A building or one or more portions of a building occupied or intended to be occupied for residential purposes. FAMILY. (1) An individual or two or more persons legally related by blood, marriage, domestic partnership, foster care, guardianship or adoption; or (2) A group of not more than three persons not related by blood, marriage, domestic partnership, foster care, guardianship or adoption living together in a dwelling unit. HIGH SCHOOL DORMITORY . A dormitory that is located on the site of a secondary education institution and is owned, operated and used by the institution for living and sleeping quarters for the students attending the institution. LET FOR OCCUPANCY or to LET or to RENT . To permit possession or occupancy of a dwelling or rental dwelling unit whether or not compensation is paid by a person who is not the legal owner of record thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten lease. OCCUPANT . Any person living or sleeping in a dwelling unit, or having possession of a space within a dwelling unit. OPERATOR or MANAGER . Any person who has charge, care or control of a structure or premises that is let or offered for occupancy. OWNER or LICENSEE . Any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property or recorded in the official state, county or city records as holding title to the property or otherwise having control of the property. PERSON . May be an individual, corporation, firm, association, company, partnership, organization or any other group acting as a unit. REINSPECTION . A follow-up inspection that is: (1) Conducted to determine if a code violation has been corrected; (2) Necessary because a licensee, owner or other responsible party fails to attend a scheduled inspection; (3) Necessary because a scheduled inspection does not occur or is prevented from occurring due to an act of a property owner or agent; or (4) Any inspection following an initial inspection. RENTAL DWELLING . Any dwelling used for residential occupancy by one or more persons who are not the owner or a member of the owner’s family. RENTAL DWELLING UNIT . Any room or rooms, or space, in any rental dwelling designed or used for residential occupancy by one or more persons who are not the owner or a member of the owner’s family. (2001 Code, § 435.03) (Ord. 06-16, passed - -; Ord. 07-04, passed - -; Ord. 08-25, passed - -; Ord. 15-09, passed 9-14-2015; Ord. 21-002, passed 1-25-2021)
West Saint Paul Ch. 155 Rental Housing Registration § 150.036 establishes the official vocabulary used throughout the rental housing registration subchapter. Terms such as "rental dwelling," "owner," "operator," "family," and "reinspection" are each given specific meanings that govern how the rest of the subchapter's rules are interpreted and applied. When a word is defined here, that definition controls over any everyday or colloquial understanding of the term.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under West Saint Paul Ch. 155 § 150.036 should familiarize themselves with the defined terms, since compliance determinations hinge on these precise meanings. For example, the definitions of "complex," "rental dwelling unit," and "reinspection" directly affect how licensing obligations, inspection scheduling, and follow-up requirements are calculated. Operators who understand that "owner" and "licensee" are treated as the same category under this section are better positioned to ensure the correct party is named on registration documents.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
West Saint Paul Ch. 155 § 150.036 shapes tenant rights indirectly by setting the boundaries of who qualifies as a "family," what counts as a "rental dwelling unit," and what triggers a "reinspection." Tenants who believe a property is being let or occupied in a way that falls under these definitions may find it useful to reference this section when raising concerns with the city or a tenant-rights organization. Understanding how "occupant" and "rental dwelling" are defined can clarify whether a particular living arrangement is covered by the broader protections of the subchapter.
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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