Blaine, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. V § 18-318
License issuance
Operative Text
(a) The city may issue a license in its discretion if the building and the application are found to be in compliance with the provisions of this article and article IV of this chapter, provided that all real estate taxes and municipal utility bills for the premises have been paid. Real estate taxes will not be considered to be unpaid for purposes of this section while a proper and timely appeal of such taxes is pending. (b) No license shall be issued or renewed for a nonresident owner of a rental dwelling (one who does not reside in any of the following counties: Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, Washington, Sherburne, Isanti, or Chisago and some locations immediately into the State of Wisconsin), unless such owner designates in writing to the city inspector the name of such owner's resident agent, (who also needs to reside in the above-noted locations) who is responsible for maintenance and upkeep and who is legally constituted and empowered to receive service of notice of violation of the provisions of the city ordinances, to receive orders and to institute remedial action to effect such orders and to accept all service or process pursuant to law. The city inspector shall be notified in writing of any change of resident agent. This requirement may be waived if, in the city inspector's determination, the owner not living in one of the above specified counties is nonetheless sufficiently accessible for the purposes of this article.
Blaine Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. V § 18-318 establishes the conditions under which the city may issue or renew a rental dwelling license. A license can only be granted when the property and application comply with the relevant articles of the code and when all real estate taxes and municipal utility bills are current — though taxes under a valid, timely appeal are not treated as unpaid. Owners who live outside a defined multi-county metro area (spanning several Minnesota counties and nearby Wisconsin locations) must designate a local resident agent in writing who is authorized to receive notices, orders, and legal process on the owner's behalf, unless the city inspector determines the out-of-area owner is sufficiently accessible.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Blaine Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. V § 18-318, compliant rental property operators generally ensure that all real estate taxes and municipal utility bills are paid before applying for or renewing a license, and that the property meets the requirements of articles IV and V of chapter 18. Operators who reside outside the listed Minnesota counties or qualifying Wisconsin locations typically maintain a written designation of a resident agent — someone who also lives within those areas and is legally empowered to receive violation notices, orders, and service of process. Any change in resident agent is reported to the city inspector in writing, and operators who believe they qualify for the accessibility waiver may seek that determination from the city inspector.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Blaine Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. V § 18-318 means that a rental dwelling in Blaine is only supposed to be licensed when the property is in code compliance, taxes and utility bills are current, and — for out-of-area owners — a locally accessible resident agent has been properly designated. Tenants who have concerns about whether their building holds a valid license, or whether a responsible local contact has been designated, can inquire with the Blaine city inspector's office, which administers this provision. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Minnesota municipal licensing requirements can also help explain what options may be available when a property appears to be operating without a proper license.
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.