Good Thunder, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 151 (2026) § 151.17
AUTHORITY, ENFORCEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY
Operative Text
(A) Authority. (1) The Police Chief, or his or her designee, is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all of the provisions of this chapter. (2) The city’s Clerk-Treasurer, or his or her designee, shall have the power to render interpretations of this chapter and to adopt and enforce rules and supplemental regulations in order to clarify the application of its provisions. The interpretations, rules and regulations shall be in conformity with the intent and purpose of this chapter. (B) Right of entry. (1) When it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this chapter, or when the city has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a building or upon a premises a condition which is contrary to or in violation of this chapter, he or she may enter the building or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this chapter; provided that, if the building or premises is occupied that credentials will be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If the building or premises is unoccupied, he or she shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the city’s Housing Inspector(s) shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry. (2) Exception: licensed rental properties are subject to inspection for purposed of this chapter at any time without requirement of warrant. (C) Responsibilities defined. (1) Owners remain liable for violations of duties imposed by this chapter even though an obligation is also imposed on the occupants of the building and even though the owner has, by agreement, imposed on the occupant the duty of furnishing required equipment or of complying with this chapter. (2) Buildings, structures and parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. The owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance. To determine compliance with this division (C), the building may be re-inspected. (3) Owners, in addition to being responsible for maintaining the buildings in a sound structural condition, shall be responsible for keeping that part of the building or premises which the owner occupies or controls in a clean, sanitary and safe condition, including the shared or public areas in a building containing two or more dwelling units. (4) Owners shall, when required by this chapter or any other applicable code, ordinance, regulation or statute, furnish and maintain the approved sanitary facilities required, and shall furnish and maintain approved devices, equipment or facilities for the prevention of insect and rodent infestation and, when infestation has taken place, shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests when the extermination is not specifically made the responsibility of the occupant by law or ruling. (5) Occupants of a dwelling unit, in addition to being responsible for keeping it in a sanitary and safe condition that part of the dwelling or dwelling unit or premises which they occupy and control, shall properly dispose of their rubbish, garbage and other organic waste in a manner required by this chapter, or any other applicable code, ordinance, regulation or statute. (6) Occupants shall, when required by this chapter, or any other applicable code, ordinance, regulation or statute, furnish and maintain approved devices, equipment or facilities necessary to keep their premises safe and sanitary. (2001 Code, § 13.190) (Ord. 13, passed 6-2-2014) Penalty, see § 10.99
Good Thunder Ch. 151 § 151.17 establishes who enforces the city's residential rental property rules and how responsibilities are divided among owners and occupants. The Police Chief oversees enforcement, while the Clerk-Treasurer can issue interpretive guidance; city Housing Inspectors may enter properties at reasonable times to check for violations, and licensed rental properties may be inspected at any time without a warrant. Owners remain liable for maintaining buildings in safe and sanitary condition even if a lease shifts some duties to tenants, while occupants carry their own obligations for the areas they control.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Good Thunder Ch. 151 § 151.17, property owners remain legally responsible for building maintenance and code compliance regardless of what a lease agreement says about tenant duties. Compliant operators generally keep all shared and common areas clean, safe, and structurally sound; provide required sanitary facilities; and address pest infestations promptly when that duty has not been specifically assigned to occupants by law. Because licensed rental properties are subject to inspection at any time without a warrant under § 151.17(B)(2), operators typically maintain records and conditions that can withstand an unannounced visit from the city's Housing Inspector.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Good Thunder Ch. 151 § 151.17 makes clear that owners bear primary responsibility for building safety and sanitation, even when a lease purports to transfer those duties to tenants—meaning a landlord cannot simply point to a lease clause to escape liability for code violations. Tenants also have their own obligations under § 151.17(C)(5)–(6) to keep the areas they occupy and control in a safe and sanitary condition and to properly dispose of waste. Tenants who believe a violation exists may contact the city's Police Chief or Housing Inspector to request an inspection, and may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand how a violation could be raised as a defense or complaint under the applicable penalty provision at § 10.99.
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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