Cloquet, Minn., City Code ch. 10 §§ 10.3, 10.7 (2026) § 10.3.03
Applicability. Every portion of a building or premise used or intended to be used for residential purposes,
Operative Text
10.3.03 Applicability. Every portion of a building or premise used or intended to be used for residential purposes,
except hotels and motels serving transient guests only, rest homes, convalescent homes, and nursing homes, shall
comply with the provisions of this code irrespective of when such building shall have been constructed, altered, or
repaired, except as hereinafter provided.
Subd. 1. Application of Building Codes and Ordinances. Any alterations to buildings, or changes of
use therein, which may be caused directly or indirectly by the enforcement of this code shall be done in
accordance with applicable sections of the building codes and ordinances of the municipality.
Subd. 2. Application of Zoning Law. Nothing in this code shall permit the establishment or conversion
of a multi-family dwelling in any zone except where permitted by the zoning law; nor the continuation of
such non-conforming use in any zone except as provided therein.
Subd. 3. Conflict with Other Ordinances. Except as provided in subdivision 4, in any case where a
provision of this code is found to be in conflict with a provision of any zoning, building, fire, safety, or
health ordinance or code of this municipality existing on the effective date of this code, the provision which
establishes the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the safety and health of the people shall
prevail. In any case where a provision of this code is found to be in conflict with a provision of any other
ordinance or code of this municipality existing on the effective date of this code, which establishes a lower
standard for the promotion and protection of the safety and health of the people, the provisions of this code
shall prevail, and such other ordinances or codes are hereby declared to be repealed to the extent that they
may be found in conflict with this code.
Subd. 4. Existing Buildings. This code establishes minimum requirements for the initial and continued
occupancy of all buildings used for human habitation and does not replace or modify requirements
otherwise established for the construction, repair, alteration, or use of buildings, equipment or facilities,
except as provided in this section.
Subd. 5. Existing Remedies. Nothing in this code shall be deemed to abolish or impair existing remedies
of the municipality or its officers or agencies relating to the removal or demolition of any buildings which
are deemed to be dangerous, unsafe or unsanitary.Section 10.3.03 of Cloquet's Housing Code establishes that virtually all residential buildings and premises—regardless of when they were built, altered, or repaired—must meet the city's housing standards, with narrow exceptions for hotels, motels serving only transient guests, rest homes, convalescent homes, and nursing homes. The code sets a floor of minimum health and safety requirements, and when it conflicts with other local ordinances, whichever standard better protects public health and safety takes precedence. Alterations triggered by code enforcement must follow applicable building codes, and the code does not override zoning rules that restrict where multi-family dwellings may be established.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 10.3.03, property owners and managers operating residential rental properties in Cloquet must ensure their buildings comply with the Housing Code regardless of the property's age or construction history. When enforcement of this code requires alterations or changes of use, those modifications must conform to the city's applicable building codes and ordinances. Operators should also be aware that this section preserves the city's authority to pursue removal or demolition of buildings deemed dangerous, unsafe, or unsanitary, meaning compliance with minimum standards is an ongoing obligation rather than a one-time threshold.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 10.3.03 means that tenants living in residential properties in Cloquet are entitled to housing that meets the city's minimum health and safety standards, no matter how old the building is. If a landlord claims that an older building is exempt from current standards, this provision generally does not support that position—the code applies to existing buildings as well as new ones. Tenants who believe their housing falls short of these standards may consider contacting Cloquet's municipal code enforcement office, reviewing their rights with a local tenant-rights organization, or raising a code violation as a defense in relevant legal proceedings.
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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