Andover, Minn., City Code title 9 ch. 8 art. A (2026) § 9-8A-2
3: EXECUTION OF COMPLIANCE ORDERS OF PUBLIC AUTHORITY:
Operative Text
9-8A-2: DEFINITIONS: The definitions contained in Section 12-2-2 of this Code
apply herein. Additionally, the following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
and enforcement of this Chapter. In the event of a conflict between the definitions
contained in Section 12-2-2 and this Section, the definitions contained in this Section
shall control.
ACCESSORY USE OR
STRUCTURES: A use or structure subordinate to and serving the
principal use or structure on the same lot and customarily
incidental thereto which is not used for living or sleeping
by human occupants.
ANDOVER BUILDING
CODE: The Minnesota State Building Code, International
Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code
(IRC) as may be adopted by the City.
BUILDING: Any structure having a roof which may provide shelter or
enclosure for persons, animals, or chattels, and when
said structure is divided by party walls without openings,
each portion of such building so separated shall be
deemed a separate building.
BUILDING OFFICIAL: The designated agent authorized by the City Council to
administer and enforce this chapter.
DWELLING: A building, or one or more portions thereof, occupied or
intended to be occupied for residential purposes, but not
including rooms in motels, hotels, nursing homes,
boarding houses, trailers, tents, cabins or trailer coaches.
DWELLING UNIT: A single-family dwelling or unit designed to accommodate
one family.
DUPLEX: A building, as referred to as a multi-family dwelling,
designed as a single structure, containing two separate
dwelling units, each of which is designed to be occupied
as a separate permanent residence for one family on one
lot.
FAMILY: A. An individual or two (2) or more persons related by
blood, marriage or adoption living together; or
B. A group of not more than five (5) persons who need
not be related by blood, marriage or adoption, living
together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit,
exclusive of usual servants.
GARBAGE: Animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling,
preparation, cooking, marketing or processing of food, or
the non-consumed waste resulting from animals or
humans consuming food.
HABITABLE BUILDING: Any building or part thereof that meets minimum
standards for use as a home or place of abode by one or
more persons.
HABITABLE ROOM: A room with enclosed floor space used or intended to be
used for living, sleeping, cooking, or eating purposes,
excluding bathrooms, water closet compartments,
laundries, furnace rooms, unfinished basements (those
without required ventilation, required electric outlets and
required exit facilities), pantries, utility rooms of less than
fifty (50) square feet of floor space, foyers,
communicating corridors, stairways, closets, storage
spaces, workshops, and hobby and recreation areas in
parts of the structure below ground level or in attics.
HEATED WATER: Water heated to a temperature of not less than one
hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit (110°F), or such lesser
temperature required by government authority, measured
at faucet outlet.
KITCHEN: A space which contains a sink with counter working
space, space for installing cooking and refrigeration
equipment, and space for the storage of cooking utensils.
LEASE: A written or oral agreement to rent. For use as a verb,
see rent.
LET: To lease a premises or any portion thereof.
MAINTENANCE: Upkeep of property and equipment in a safe working
condition for which it was installed and/or constructed.
MULTIPLE-FAMILY
DWELLING: A dwelling or portion thereof containing two (2) or more
dwelling units.
OCCUPANT: Any person (including owner operator) living, sleeping,
cooking and eating in a dwelling unit or living and
sleeping in a rooming unit.
OPERATE: To charge rent for the use of a unit in a rooming unit.
OPERATOR: The owner or his/her agent who has charge, care,
control, or management of a building, or part thereof, in
which dwelling units or rooming units are let.
OWNER: Any person, firm or corporation who, alone, jointly, or
severally with others, shall be in actual possession of,
have charge of, care of, or control of any dwelling,
dwelling unit, or rooming unit within the City as owner,
employee or agent of the owner, or as trustee or
guardian of the estate or person of the title holder. Any
person representing the actual owner shall be bound to
comply with the provisions of this chapter to the same
extent as the owner.
PERMISSIBLE
OCCUPANCY: The maximum number of persons permitted to reside in a
dwelling unit or rooming unit.
PERSON: An individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or joint venture or organization of any kind.
PLUMBING: All of the following supplied facilities and equipment in a
dwelling: gas pipes, gas burning equipment, water pipes,
steam pipes, garbage disposal units, waste pipes, water
closets, sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories,
bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes washing
machines, catch basins, drains, vents and any other
similar fixtures and the installation thereof, together with
all connections to water, sewer and gas lines.
PREMISES: A platted lot or part thereof or unplatted parcel of land,
and adjacent right-of-way, either occupied or unoccupied
by any dwelling or non-dwelling structure, including such
building or accessory structure.
PUBLIC HALL: A hall, corridor or passageway for providing egress from
a dwelling unit to a public way and not within the
exclusive control of one family.
REFUSE: Personal leavings, trash, garbage.
RENT: Consideration paid for the use of premises, including, but
not limited to, money, services and property. As a verb,
the term “rent” means to receive or allow the use of
premises in return for such consideration or any
combination thereof. The term “rent” does not include
arrangements whereby a relative occupies a dwelling and
which arrangement is detailed and sworn to in affidavits
filed by each adult occupant of the dwelling and each
person who is an owner of the dwelling.
RENTAL DWELLING: Any dwelling unit(s) let. Single family residential
properties occupied by a relative shall not be considered
a rental dwelling.
REPAIR: The construction or renewal of any part of an existing
building or its utilities, facilities or equipment for the
purpose of its maintenance.
RODENT HARBORAGE: A place where rodents commonly live, nest, or establish
their habitat.
ROOMING UNIT: Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable
unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping,
but not for cooking and eating purposes.
SAFETY: The condition of being reasonably free from danger and
hazards which may cause accidents or diseases.
SUBSTANDARD
DWELLING: Any dwelling that does not conform to the minimum
standards established by City ordinances.
SUPPLIED: Paid for, furnished by, provided by or under the control of
the owner, operator, or agent of a dwelling.
WATER CLOSET: A toilet with a bowl and trap made in one piece, that is
connected to the City water and sewer system or other
approved water supply and sewer system.Section 9-8A-2 of Andover, MN City Code Title 9 Ch. 8 Art. A establishes a shared vocabulary for interpreting and enforcing the city's property maintenance standards. Terms like 'dwelling unit,' 'operator,' 'owner,' 'habitable room,' and 'rental dwelling' are given precise meanings that govern how the rest of the chapter applies. Where these definitions conflict with those in Section 12-2-2 of the Code, the definitions in this section take precedence.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating rental dwellings in Andover should be familiar with the specific definitions in § 9-8A-2, since terms like 'owner,' 'operator,' and 'rental dwelling' carry precise legal meanings that determine who bears compliance obligations under the chapter. Notably, the definition of 'owner' extends to agents, employees, and trustees, meaning responsibility is not limited to the titleholder alone. Operators should also note that single-family properties occupied by a relative are excluded from the 'rental dwelling' definition under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 9-8A-2 defines key terms—such as 'habitable room,' 'occupant,' 'permissible occupancy,' and 'substandard dwelling'—that shape what protections and standards apply to a rental unit in Andover. Understanding these definitions can help tenants recognize when a unit may fall below the city's minimum maintenance standards. Tenants who believe their unit qualifies as a 'substandard dwelling' under this section may wish to contact the Andover Building Official or consult a local tenant-rights organization to learn about 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.