Dilworth, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 152 (2026) § 152.02
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. COMPLIANCE OFFICER. Any licensed peace officer, city official, city employee, or agent of the city designated by the City Administrator to perform inspections pursuant to § 152.11 . DWELLING. Any building, including a manufactured home (mobile home) as defined in M.S. § 327.31, subd. 6, as it may be amended from time to time, which is intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants. RENTAL. The leasing of a rental unit to a non-owner for a fixed or non-fixed period of time, 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. Any room or group of rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single habitable unit. (Ord. 95-2, passed 7-26-1995; Ord. 97-3, passed 7-23-1997; Ord. 22-03, passed 4-11-2022)
Section 152.02 of Dilworth Ch. 152 establishes the foundational definitions that govern the entire rental-unit chapter. Key terms include 'Dwelling,' which covers any building intended for human living or sleeping (including mobile homes as defined under Minnesota law); 'Rental Unit,' meaning any room or group of rooms within a dwelling that forms a single habitable space; and 'Rental,' which is broadly defined to include not just traditional leases but also lease-to-buy arrangements, contracts for deed, and installment sales where nonpayment can lead to eviction outside standard foreclosure or repossession procedures. A 'Compliance Officer' is any licensed peace officer, city official, employee, or city agent designated by the City Administrator to conduct inspections under § 152.11.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Dilworth should be familiar with the definitions set out in § 152.02, as these terms determine which properties and arrangements fall under Ch. 152's requirements. Notably, the broad definition of 'Rental' means that operators using lease-to-buy agreements, contracts for deed, or installment sales are generally subject to the same chapter obligations as traditional landlords. Compliant operators typically ensure that any habitable room or group of rooms offered to non-owners is treated as a 'Rental Unit' under this framework, regardless of the specific payment structure used.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Dilworth benefit from knowing that § 152.02 defines 'Rental' broadly enough to cover not just standard leases but also arrangements like contracts for deed and installment sales — meaning occupants in those situations may have protections under Ch. 152 as well. The definition of 'Rental Unit' as any single habitable room or group of rooms within a dwelling means that a wide range of living situations can fall under the chapter's scope. Tenants who are uncertain whether their housing arrangement qualifies under these definitions may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the full chapter for context.
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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