Fairmont, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 27 (2026) § 27-2
Scope
Operative Text
(a) This chapter applies to rental housing units described herein that are rented or leased in whole or in part, including apartment buildings, town homes, single family and multifamily housing, guest and caretaker houses, and condominiums. It also includes any accessory structures of the rental housing units, such as garages and storage buildings, and appurtenances such as sidewalks, driveways, and retaining walls, which are on the property of the rental housing unit. (b) Except as otherwise specifically provided, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all buildings or portions thereof used, designed, or intended to be let for human habitation for thirty (30) days or longer. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the building official from taking immediate enforcement or corrective action necessary to protect the health and safety of the public. (c) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the following: (1) On campus college or university housing units; (2) Assisted living facilities or nursing homes; (3) State licensed facilities; (4) Owner-occupied units; (5) Single family homes rented to an immediate family member; and (6) Hotels, motels, and short-term rental housing, including VRBO, Airbnb, and the like. (Ord. No. 2021-03, 11-22-21; Ord. No. 2025-04, 7-28-25)
Fairmont Ch. 27 Rental Housing Standards § 27-2 establishes which properties fall under the city's rental housing standards chapter. The chapter broadly covers most residential rental arrangements lasting 30 days or longer — including apartments, townhomes, single-family and multifamily homes, condominiums, guest houses, and associated structures like garages and sidewalks. However, certain categories are explicitly excluded, such as on-campus college housing, assisted living facilities, state-licensed facilities, owner-occupied units, single-family homes rented to immediate family members, and short-term rentals like those listed on Airbnb or VRBO.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 27-2, operators of most long-term residential rental properties in Fairmont — including apartment buildings, condominiums, townhomes, and multifamily housing — are generally subject to the full requirements of Chapter 27. Compliant operators typically assess whether each property they manage falls within the chapter's scope, paying attention to both the type of dwelling and the rental duration, since units rented for fewer than 30 days or falling into an enumerated exemption may not be covered. Accessory structures on the rental property, such as garages, storage buildings, driveways, and retaining walls, are also included within the chapter's reach under § 27-2(a).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 27-2 of Fairmont's Rental Housing Standards defines the broad set of renters who are protected by Chapter 27's requirements, which generally includes anyone renting a residential unit for 30 days or longer in most housing types. Tenants in apartments, condominiums, townhomes, and similar dwellings — as well as those in accessory structures on the rental property — can look to this chapter as a basis for housing standards protections. Tenants who believe their unit falls within the chapter's scope and that a violation has occurred may consider contacting the Fairmont building official, who retains authority under § 27-2(b) to take immediate enforcement action to protect public health and safety, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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