West Saint Paul, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 155 (2026) § 150.038
EXEMPTIONS
Operative Text
This subchapter does not apply to the following: (A) Hotels (B) Motels (C) Hospitals (D) State-licensed residential care facilities (E) Assisted living facilities (F) Nursing homes (G) High school dormitories (H) Single-family homes or duplexes in which the owner resides within a portion of the building and there are a total of no more than three unrelated persons within the owner’s dwelling unit. If the building is a duplex, only that portion of the building in which the owner resides is exempt. The other portion of the duplex requires a rental license. (2001 Code, § 435.07) (Ord. 06-16, passed - -; Ord. 08-25, passed - -; Ord. 08-26, passed - -; Ord. 15-09, passed 9-14-2015)
West Saint Paul Ch. 155 Rental Housing Registration § 150.038 identifies categories of housing that fall outside the city's rental housing registration requirements. Facilities such as hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, state-licensed residential care facilities, and high school dormitories are fully exempt. Owner-occupied single-family homes and duplexes are also exempt under specific conditions, though in a duplex only the unit where the owner actually lives is exempt — the other unit still requires a rental license.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 150.038, operators of hotels, motels, hospitals, and similar institutional facilities do not need to obtain a rental license under this subchapter. Owner-occupants of single-family homes or duplexes should be aware that the exemption is narrowly defined: the owner must reside in the unit, and no more than three unrelated persons may live within the owner's dwelling unit. If the property is a duplex, a compliant operator obtains a rental license for the non-owner-occupied portion even if the owner-occupied portion qualifies for the exemption.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 150.038 makes clear that most traditional rental units — particularly non-owner-occupied portions of duplexes and standalone rental properties — are not exempt from West Saint Paul's rental housing registration requirements. Tenants living in the non-owner-occupied side of a duplex retain the protections of the rental licensing framework, even if the owner lives next door. Tenants who believe their unit should be licensed but is not may contact the City of West Saint Paul directly or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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