Elk River, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 30, art. III § 30-153
Definitions
Operative Text
The following definitions, and those contained in section 30-1 , will be used in interpreting and enforcing this article. Agent. A person designated by the owner of a rental dwelling to act on behalf of the owner. City. The City of Elk River, Minnesota. Disorderly conduct. Disorderly conduct shall be as defined by Minn. Stats. § 609.72 (Disorderly Conduct) as amended. Major life/safety issues. Hazardous conditions that, in the judgment of the fire chief or other code enforcement official, pose an imminent risk to the life and safety of tenants and other occupants. Nuisance call. Any instance where law enforcement officers are called to a property in response to a valid complaint related to a violation of state or local laws or ordinances. Tenant. Any person, excluding the owner or operator, living in a rental dwelling. Valid complaint. A violation that is visible at the time of inspection or proven by credible, substantial evidence to the satisfaction of the city. Wherever the terms "dwelling," "dwelling unit," "premises," and "structure," are used in this article, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words "or any part thereof". Wherever the designation "fire chief" is used in this article, it shall be construed as though it were followed by the words "or their designee".
Elk River Code of Ordinances ch. 30, art. III § 30-153 establishes the working vocabulary for the rental-housing article, ensuring that key terms carry consistent, defined meanings throughout its enforcement. Words like "agent," "tenant," "nuisance call," "valid complaint," and "major life/safety issues" are given specific definitions that govern how the rest of the article is read and applied. Broad terms such as "dwelling" and "structure" are interpreted to cover any part of a property, and references to the "fire chief" extend to that official's designees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 30-153, the definitions section shapes how every other provision in this rental article applies to property owners and their representatives. A compliant operator understands that an "agent" — someone formally designated to act on the owner's behalf — carries the same responsibilities as the owner under the article, and that any law-enforcement response to a valid complaint at the property can qualify as a "nuisance call." Familiarity with these defined terms, including what constitutes a "major life/safety issue" or a "valid complaint," helps operators interpret their obligations accurately across the rest of the article.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 30-153 defines "tenant" as any person living in a rental dwelling who is not the owner or operator, which establishes who is protected by the article's provisions. The definition of "valid complaint" — a violation visible at inspection or proven by credible, substantial evidence — is relevant to understanding how concerns raised by or about a property are evaluated by the city. Tenants who believe conditions at their rental may involve "major life/safety issues" as defined here can consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand which city officials or processes may apply to their situation.
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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