Fairmont, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 27 (2026) § 27-6
Registration and licensing of rental housing units
Operative Text
(a) License and registration required. No person or entity shall conduct or operate or cause to be operated either as owner, lessee, local property manager or in any other capacity within the city any rental housing unit, as defined in section 27-3 above, to another person or entity for occupancy unless that rental housing unit is registered for occupancy pursuant to a valid and current rental unit license issued by the city. (b) Application. (1) It shall be unlawful for an owner, representative, or operator to operate a rental housing unit without submitting an application for a license under this chapter, along with the necessary fee. Application for a rental license must be made prior to any initial occupancy, and thirty (30) days prior to any license renewal. Licenses are valid for two (2) years from the date of issuance. After two (2) years, owner must re-apply for a new rental license. The following properties shall be excepted from this requirement: a. An unoccupied rental housing unit that that has been issued a vacant building registration pursuant to chapter 28 of this code. b. A property being sold on a contract for deed, provided the contract has been recorded in conformance with Minnesota law. (2) The legal owner(s) of each rental housing unit shall make application to the city for a license on a form to be supplied by the city and containing information necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of and to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and the minimum standards of uniform housing code. (3) Each application for rental license must be on a form provided by the city and must contain: a. Legal name, address, telephone number and email address for each owner, and if it is a corporation, the name of the officers and registered office. b. Local property manager name, address, telephone number and email address. c. The street address of the rental property. d. The number of rental housing units contained within the rental property. e. Verification that the property taxes, assessments, fines, penalties, or other financial claims due to the city at the time of application are current on the rental property. f. Proof of fire and liability insurance on the rental property. g. Accompanied by the payment of the rental registration fee and inspection fee. (c) Fees. The rental registration and inspection fee(s) shall be due at the time of registration, in an amount set by city council resolution, and every two (2) years thereafter. Once issued, the licensee shall not be entitled to a refund on any license fee upon revocation and suspension; however, the licensee may transfer ownership of the rental license as described below. Owners are required to re-apply and pay the fee for licensing and registration at least every two (2) years to remain in compliance with the city. (d) Transfer of license. In the event of the transfer of ownership of a rental housing unit by sale or otherwise: (1) The owner(s), within ten (10) days after the transfer, shall provide to the city the name, address and telephone number of each transferee. (2) The transferee shall register the unit with the city under the transferee's name and pay all applicable fees within thirty (30) days after the date of transfer; and (3) If the rental license for the unit is valid and current and if the transferee so registers the unit and pays the fees, the rental license shall be transferred to the transferee. (Ord. No. 2021-03, 11-22-21; Ord. No. 2025-04, 7-28-25)
Fairmont Ch. 27 Rental Housing Standards § 27-6 establishes that every rental housing unit operating within the city must hold a valid, current license issued by the city before any tenant occupies it. Licenses run for two-year terms and must be renewed through a new application submitted at least 30 days before expiration. When ownership of a rental unit changes hands, the new owner has 30 days to register the unit in their name and pay applicable fees, at which point the existing license may transfer to them. Certain properties—such as units registered as vacant buildings or those sold on a recorded contract for deed—are exempt from the licensing requirement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Fairmont Ch. 27 § 27-6, compliant rental operators obtain a city-issued rental license before a unit is first occupied and track the two-year expiration date carefully, submitting renewal applications at least 30 days in advance. The application package typically includes owner and local property manager contact information, proof of current property taxes and assessments, and evidence of fire and liability insurance, along with the required registration and inspection fees. When selling or otherwise transferring a rental property, operators generally notify the city within 10 days of the transfer and coordinate with the new owner to ensure re-registration occurs within 30 days so the license can carry over without a lapse.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Fairmont Ch. 27 § 27-6 gives tenants a basis to verify that any rental unit they occupy is covered by a valid, city-issued rental license, since operating without one is unlawful under this provision. If a unit appears to be unlicensed—for example, if a landlord cannot produce a current license or the city's records show none on file—tenants may raise that status as a concern when interacting with city housing officials or when responding to certain landlord actions. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Fairmont's rental housing code can help explain what options exist when a unit is found to be operating outside the requirements of § 27-6.
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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