Fergus Falls, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 117 (2026) § 117.03
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. ADULT. A person 18 years of age or older. APPLICANT. A PERSON as defined herein, who completes or signs an application for a registration to rent real estate individually or on behalf of a business. ASSISTED LIVING. Assisted living facilities licensed by the state. BUSINESS. The business of leasing properties for home occupation purposes. CITY ADMINISTRATOR. The City Administrator or the City Administrator’s designee. DWELLING. A single-family residence or habitation providing living facilities for one or more persons. MANAGER. An individual who is hired or is applying to be hired by a registration holder and who has or would have the means, within the scope of the individual’s duties, to enter tenants’ dwelling units. MANAGER does not include a person who is hired on a casual basis and not in the ongoing course of the business of the registration holder. OCCUPANT. Any person living, sleeping, cooking and eating in a rental dwelling unit. OPERATOR. The owner or their agent who has charge, care, control, or management of a building or part thereof, in which dwelling units are rented. OWNER. Any person who, alone, jointly, or severally with others, shall be in actual possession of, or have charge, care or control of, any rental dwelling unit within the city as titleholder, employee or agent of the titleholder, operator, or trustee or guardian of the estate or person of the titleholder. Any such person representing the actual titleholder shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter to the same extent as the titleholder. PERSON. One or more natural persons; a partnership, including a limited partnership; a corporation, including a foreign, domestic, or nonprofit corporation; a trust; a political subdivision of the state; or any other business organization. PROPERTY OWNER. The owner of real estate. QUALIFYING RELATIVE. Parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece. This relationship may be either by blood or by marriage. REGISTRATION HOLDER. The owner of property registered to lease to residents. RENT. The consideration paid by a tenant to the owner of a rental dwelling unit for temporary use of the rental dwelling unit by the tenant or tenants. The consideration is not limited to cash and may include, but is not limited to, utilities, upkeep or repair. RENTAL. A residential living unit that is occupied by people other than the owner and/or qualifying relatives. RENTAL CHARGE. Any compensation, either monetary or “in lieu of” payments, such as, but not limited to, utilities, upkeep or repair. RENTAL DWELLING UNIT. A dwelling or portion thereof let for rent. RESIDENTIAL BUILDING. A structure designed and used for residential rather than commercial or industrial purposes. TENANT. Any adult person granted temporary use of a rental dwelling unit in exchange for rent payable to the owner of the rental unit. UNIT. A dwelling. (Ord. 86, Seventh Series, passed 10-7-2019)
Section 117.03 of Fergus Falls Ch. 117 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the city's rental registration chapter. Key terms such as "Owner," "Operator," "Tenant," "Rental Dwelling Unit," and "Registration Holder" are given specific legal meanings that govern how the rest of the chapter is interpreted and applied. Notably, "Rent" is defined broadly to include non-cash consideration such as utilities or repair work, and an "Owner" includes agents and trustees who exercise control over a rental unit, not just the titleholder.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 117.03, property owners and their agents should be aware that the chapter's definitions cast a wide net — anyone with "charge, care, control, or management" of a rental unit may be treated as an "Owner" or "Operator" and held to the same compliance obligations as the titleholder. The broad definition of "Rent" means that arrangements where tenants provide services or pay utilities in lieu of cash are still covered by the chapter's requirements. Operators and registration holders generally ensure that all individuals who manage or have access to tenant units — as defined under "Manager" — are properly accounted for in their registration.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 117.03 sets out the definitions that shape tenants' rights and obligations throughout Fergus Falls Ch. 117, including who qualifies as a "Tenant" (any adult with temporary use of a rental unit in exchange for rent) and who counts as an "Owner" or "Operator" responsible for compliance. Because "Rent" is defined to include non-cash arrangements like utilities or repair work, tenants in such arrangements are still covered by the chapter's protections. Tenants who have questions about how these definitions apply to their living situation may wish to consult the City Administrator, as identified in § 117.03, or reach 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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