Excelsior, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-160
Unlawful structures
Operative Text
If any dwelling or any of its parts is occupied by more families than permitted by this article or the Uniform Building Code or Uniform Fire Code, as adopted by the city, or is erected, altered, or occupied contrary to law, such dwelling shall be deemed an unlawful structure, and the building official or designee may cause such dwelling to be vacated. It shall be unlawful to again occupy such dwelling until it or its occupation, as the case may be, has been made to conform to the law.
Under Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-160, a dwelling becomes an "unlawful structure" when it is occupied by more families than local codes allow, or when it has been built, altered, or occupied in violation of applicable law. Once a dwelling is deemed unlawful, the building official or their designee has the authority to order it vacated. The dwelling cannot lawfully be reoccupied until the structure itself, or the manner in which it is occupied, has been brought into full compliance with the law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-160 generally ensure that every dwelling unit is occupied only by the number of families permitted under the article, the Uniform Building Code, and the Uniform Fire Code as adopted by the city. Compliant operators also verify that any construction or alteration work is performed in accordance with applicable law before allowing occupancy. Maintaining current permits, certificates of occupancy, and accurate tenant records are among the practices associated with staying within the bounds this provision establishes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-160 establishes that tenants living in a dwelling that has been declared an unlawful structure may be subject to a lawful vacation order issued by the building official or designee. If a tenant believes their building has been improperly designated as unlawful, or that a vacation order is being used in a retaliatory or otherwise improper manner, they may consider contacting the city's building or housing department for information, raising the issue before the appropriate local authority, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general guidance on available options.
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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