It is the purpose of this chapter to protect
the public health, safety and welfare of citizens of the City that
have as their place of abode a living unit furnished to them for the
payment of a rental fee to another. It is the intent of this chapter
that uniform standards be established and applicable for all rental
dwellings in the City.
The following words and terms used in this chapter
are construed and defined as follows:
DWELLING OR LIVING UNIT
A single unit providing complete independent living facilities
for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living,
eating, cooking, and sanitation.
[Amended 7-20-2021 by Ord. No. 763]
OPERATE
To charge a rental fee for the use of a living unit in a
rental dwelling.
RENTAL DWELLING
Any building with living unit(s) for hire. "Rental dwelling"
does not mean on-campus dormitories, hospital units, nursing home
units, assisted living units, and hotels or motels with daily rental
units, located within the City, all of which shall be specifically
exempt from registration and license under this chapter.
[Amended 2-20-2024 by Ord. No. 804]
No person, firm, corporation or other entity
shall allow to be occupied or let to another a living unit in a rental
dwelling for which a license has not been granted by the City. The
license shall be issued biennially and shall expire on June 1, the
second year after issuance. License renewals shall be filed at least
60 days prior to license expiration.
No rental dwelling license shall be transferable
to another person or to another rental dwelling. Every person holding
a rental dwelling license shall give notice in writing to the City
within five business days after having legally transferred or otherwise
disposed of the legal control of any licensed rental dwelling. Such
notice shall include the name and address of the person succeeding
to the ownership or control of such dwelling or dwellings.
Each rental dwelling shall be maintained by
its owner, occupant, operator or agent so that the yards, open spaces
and parking facilities are kept in compliance with all applicable
laws and ordinances. In addition, snow plowing or snow shoveling shall
be regularly accomplished to maintain all sidewalks and parking areas
in a safe condition.
[Amended 7-20-2021 by Ord. No. 763]
An owner, operator or agent of a rental dwelling
shall be responsible for compliance with the applicable provisions
of the State Fire Code, including the keeping of all fire lanes open
for emergency purposes.
No licensee shall evict, threaten to evict,
or take any other punitive action against any tenant by reason of
good-faith calls made by such tenant to law enforcement agencies related
to criminal activity, suspected criminal activity, suspicious occurrences,
or public concerns. This section shall not prohibit the eviction of
tenants from a dwelling unit for unlawful conduct of a tenant or invitee
or violation of any rules, regulations, or lease terms other than
a prohibition against contacting law enforcement agencies.
When the conduct of any licensee or his/her
agent, representative, employee or lessee or the condition of his/her
dwelling is detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare
as to constitute a nuisance, fire hazard or other unsafe or dangerous
condition and thus give rise to an emergency, the City shall have
the authority to summarily condemn or close off such area of the rental
dwelling.
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the City
to cease business or revoke or suspend the license shall be entitled
to appeal to the City Council immediately by filing a notice to appeal.
The City shall schedule a date for hearing before the City Council
and notify the aggrieved person of the date. The hearing shall be
conducted in the same manner as if the aggrieved person had not received
summary action. The decision of the City shall not be voided by the
filing of such appeal. Only after the City Council has held its hearing
will the decision of the City be affected.
Licensees shall be subject to all of the ordinances
of the City and laws of the state related to rental dwellings. This
chapter shall not be construed or interpreted to supersede or limit
any other such applicable ordinance or law.
Rental applications, payment of fees and fine
information may be obtained at City Hall offices during regular business
hours.
[Amended 7-1-2008 by Ord. No. 438; 7-20-2021 by Ord. No.
763]
By December 31, 2008, all owners of residential property subject to the terms of this chapter shall be in full compliance with the terms of this chapter. All violations of this chapter occurring thereafter shall be punishable as a misdemeanor as provided by Chapter
1, Article
I, of this Code of the City of Isanti.