East Bethel, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 50 § 50-1
License required; definitions
Operative Text
(a) License. No person shall allow to be occupied or let to another for occupancy a unit or units in a rental dwelling for which a license has not been granted by the city. (b) Definitions. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purposes of this article, have the following meanings: (1) Rental dwelling means any structure or portion thereof which is designated or used for residential occupancy by one or more persons who are not the owner or a member of the owner's family. For the purpose of this chapter, family is defined as follows: Family means those persons legally related to each other in a linear relationship such as spouses, grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren and siblings. Family does not include branching relationships such as aunts, uncles or cousins. (2) Rental dwelling includes commercial living facilities, not governed by state licensing requirements. (3) A permanent rental is never used as living quarters for the owner or any dependents he/she claims on his/her federal tax return. A permanent rental is a house, duplex or apartment complex that serves full time as a rental and is not used by a nonprofit organization. (IRS definition)
East Bethel Code of Ordinances ch. 50 § 50-1 establishes that any residential structure rented to people who are not the owner or the owner's immediate family members qualifies as a 'rental dwelling' and must hold a city-issued license before it can be occupied by tenants. The provision draws a specific boundary around 'family,' limiting it to linear relatives such as spouses, parents, children, grandparents, and siblings, and explicitly excluding more distant relations like aunts, uncles, and cousins. Commercial living facilities not covered by state licensing are also brought within this definition, as are properties classified as permanent rentals under the IRS definition incorporated by the ordinance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in East Bethel should be aware that ch. 50 § 50-1 requires a city-issued license before any rental dwelling unit may be occupied by tenants. Compliant operators generally confirm that a valid license is in place before a new tenancy begins and review whether a property meets the ordinance's definition of a 'rental dwelling,' including the specific family-relationship exclusions and the permanent-rental classification. Operators of commercial living facilities not governed by state licensing should also verify that their properties are properly licensed under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under East Bethel Code of Ordinances ch. 50 § 50-1, tenants have an interest in knowing whether the unit they occupy is covered by a city rental license, since the ordinance prohibits landlords from allowing occupancy without one. Tenants who believe their unit may be unlicensed can contact the City of East Bethel directly to inquire about a property's license status or to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with local ordinances can also help explain what options may be available when a rental dwelling does not comply with § 50-1's licensing requirement.
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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