Cambridge, Minn., City Code ch. 97 (2026) § 97.04
Definitions
Operative Text
§ 97.04 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates
or requires a different meaning.
Approved. Constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with this chapter or other pertinent
ordinances of the city.
Basement. A story of a building or structure located partly underground.
Building Inspector. The Building Inspector of this city or his or her deputy or agent.
Dwelling. Any building which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by
human occupants, except temporary housing.
Dwelling Unit. Any room or group of rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single habitable
unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, eating and a part
of which is exclusively or occasionally appropriated to cookery.
Extermination. The control and elimination of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests by eliminating
their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food; or
by poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping or similar means.
Garbage. The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking or
consumption of food.
Habitable Room. A room designated to be used for living, sleeping, eating or cooking, excluding
bathrooms, toilet compartments, closets, halls and storage places.
Hotel. Any dwelling, or that part of any dwelling, containing one or more rooming units in which space
is let to three or more persons who are transients or permanent guests.
Infestation. The presence, within or around a dwelling of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests of such
kind or in such numbers as to cause a hazard to health.
Multiple Dwelling. Any dwelling containing more than two dwelling units.
Occupant. Any person over two years of age, living, sleeping, cooking or eating in or having actual
possession of a dwelling unit or rooming unit.
Operator. Any person, whether the owner or not, who manages or controls any dwelling or part
thereof, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let.
Owner. Any person who, alone, jointly or severally with others:
(1) Has a record legal title to any dwelling or dwelling unit, with or without accompanying
actual possession thereof;
(2) Acts as the agent of the person holding the record legal title of any dwelling or
dwelling unit; or
(3) Is the personal representative or fiduciary of an estate through which the record legal
title to the real property in which any dwelling or dwelling unit is administered.
Person. A natural person for purposes of the occupancy standards hereof and for other purposes means
a natural person or legal entity.
Rooming Unit. Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be
used for living and sleeping, but no part of which is exclusively or occasionally appropriated to cookery.
Rooming House. Any dwelling, or that part of any dwelling, containing one or more rooming units in
which space is let to three or more persons who are permanent guests.
Rubbish. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, household and yard debris and ashes.
Sleeping Room. A room used only for sleeping.
Supplied. Paid for, furnished, provided by or under the control of the owner or operator.
Temporary Housing. Any tent, trailer coach or other structure used for human shelter which is designed
to be transportable and which is not attached to the ground, to another structure or to any utilities
system or which is situated in a licensed trailer park.Section 97.04 of the Cambridge, MN City Code Chapter 97 Housing Code establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the housing code. Terms such as "dwelling," "dwelling unit," "operator," "owner," and "habitable room" are given specific legal meanings that govern how all other provisions in the chapter are interpreted and applied. These definitions set the scope of who and what is covered by the code, distinguishing, for example, between permanent residential spaces and temporary housing structures like trailers or tents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and operators subject to Cambridge City Code Ch. 97 should be familiar with the definitions in § 97.04, as these terms determine whether a given structure or arrangement falls under the housing code's requirements. For instance, the definitions of "owner" and "operator" are broad enough to cover agents and property managers—not just record titleholders—meaning management responsibilities under the code can apply to those who control a dwelling even without holding legal title. Compliant operators generally ensure that all spaces they manage meet the standards applicable to the relevant defined category, whether that is a dwelling unit, rooming unit, or rooming house.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
The definitions in § 97.04 of Cambridge's Housing Code matter to tenants because they determine which protections and standards apply to the place where someone lives. For example, whether a space qualifies as a "dwelling unit" or a "rooming unit" can affect what facilities and conditions a landlord is required to provide under the rest of Chapter 97. Tenants who believe their living situation may be misclassified or that their space does not meet the standards implied by these definitions may find it useful to review the full chapter or consult a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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