Hutchinson, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 122 (2026) § 122.02
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires another meaning. ADMINISTRATOR. The City Administrator or his or her designee. DWELLING. Any building or other permanent or temporary structure, including a manufactured or mobile home which is wholly or partly used, or intended to be used, for living or sleeping by human occupants. LOCAL PROPERTY MANAGER. A natural person residing within 50 miles of the city who is authorized by the rental unit owner to make decisions for the owner about rental, occupancy and maintenance of the rental unit. REGISTRATION HOLDER. A person or entity that is the owner of record according to the records on file with the county. RENT, LEASE, LET or SUBLET. The leasing of a rental unit to a non-owner for a fixed or non-fixed period of time, and shall include installment sales, purchases and other similar arrangements whereby non-payment of a periodic payment means the occupants may be evicted without the necessity of either a statutory mortgage foreclosure procedure, a statutory termination of contract for deed procedure or a statutory repossession procedure. RENTAL UNIT or RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNIT. Any house, apartment, condominium, townhouse, manufactured home; mobile home, mobile or manufactured home lot, room or group of rooms, constituting or located within, a dwelling and forming a habitable unit. SHALL and MUST. Mandatory. Should and may as used in this chapter are each permissive or directory. (2004 Code, § 122.02) (Ord. 07-0482, passed 2-26-2008)
Section 122.02 of Hutchinson's Rental Unit Registration chapter establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 122. Key terms defined include 'dwelling,' 'rental unit,' 'local property manager,' 'registration holder,' and 'administrator,' each carrying a specific meaning that governs how the rest of the chapter is interpreted and applied. The definitions also clarify that 'shall' and 'must' are mandatory requirements, while 'should' and 'may' are permissive, which affects how obligations and options throughout the chapter are read.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 122.02, property owners should familiarize themselves with the defined terms, as they set the scope of who and what is covered by Hutchinson's rental registration requirements. Notably, a 'local property manager' must be a natural person living within 50 miles of the city and authorized to make decisions about rental, occupancy, and maintenance — meaning operators who designate a local manager should confirm that person meets this geographic and authority standard. Understanding that 'rental unit' encompasses a broad range of housing types, including manufactured homes and mobile home lots, helps owners determine whether their properties fall within Chapter 122's registration obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 122.02 provides the definitions that shape tenant protections and landlord obligations throughout Hutchinson's Chapter 122 rental registration framework. The broad definition of 'rental unit' means that residents of apartments, condominiums, manufactured homes, and similar dwellings may all be covered by the chapter's requirements. Tenants who have questions about whether their housing type is covered, or who want to understand the role of a 'local property manager' in their situation, may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the full text of Chapter 122.
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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