Aurora, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 154 (2026) § 154.02
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply: ADMINISTRATOR or CITY ADMINISTRATOR. The Aurora City Administrator, or the Deputy Aurora City Clerk in the absence of the City Administrator, or such person as the City Administrator designates, in writing, to carry out the responsibilities of the City Administrator as provided by this chapter. DWELLING. Any building or other permanent or temporary structure, including a manufactured or mobile home which is wholly or partly used, or intended to be used, for living or sleeping by human occupants. LOCAL PROPERTY MANAGER. A natural person who is authorized by the rental unit owner to make decisions for the owner about rental, occupancy, and maintenance of the rental unit. REGISTRATION HOLDER. A person or entity to whom registration for a rental unit is issued under this chapter. RENT , LEASE , LET , or SUBLET. The leasing of a rental unit to a non-owner for a fixed or non-fixed period of time of more than 30 days, and shall include lease to buy, contract for deed, installment sales, purchases, and other similar arrangements whereby nonpayment of a periodic payment means the occupants may be evicted without the necessity of either a statutory mortgage foreclosure procedure, a statutory termination of contract for deed procedure, or a statutory repossession procedure. RENTAL UNIT/RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNIT. Any house, apartment, condominium, townhouse, room, or group of rooms, constituting or located within, a dwelling and forming a single habitable unit. SHALL AND MUST, as used in this chapter, are each mandatory. SHOULD AND MAY, as used in this chapter, are each permissive or directory. (Ord. 97, passed 5-2-2023)
Aurora Ch. 154 Long Term Rentals § 154.02 establishes the key terms used throughout Aurora's long-term rental chapter, ensuring consistent interpretation of the rules that follow. It defines who qualifies as an Administrator, what counts as a dwelling or rental unit, and what types of arrangements fall under the umbrella of renting, leasing, or subletting — including less conventional arrangements like contract for deed or installment sales. The section also clarifies that 'shall' and 'must' are mandatory, while 'should' and 'may' are permissive, setting the interpretive framework for the entire chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 154.02, property owners and managers operating long-term rentals in Aurora should be aware that the chapter's definitions are broadly written — for example, the definition of 'rent, lease, let, or sublet' extends beyond traditional leases to include contract-for-deed and installment sale arrangements lasting more than 30 days. Compliant operators typically ensure that any person designated as a Local Property Manager is a natural person with written authorization to make decisions about rental, occupancy, and maintenance. Understanding these definitions helps operators correctly identify which properties and arrangements are subject to the chapter's registration and compliance requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 154.02 of Aurora's long-term rental chapter defines the scope of who and what is covered by the city's rental regulations, which matters when determining whether a particular living arrangement — including a contract for deed or installment sale — falls under the chapter's protections and requirements. Tenants in arrangements that might not look like a traditional lease, such as rent-to-own or installment purchase agreements, may find that those arrangements are still covered under this chapter's broad definition of 'rent, lease, let, or sublet.' Those who have questions about whether their housing situation is covered can consult a local tenant-rights organization or the Aurora City Administrator's office for general information about the chapter's reach.
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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