Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.1890
Inspection guidelines (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
The director of regulatory services shall adopt a policy for inspecting all rental dwellings which are required to be licensed under this article, consistent with inspection procedures set forth in section 244.130 or section 244.1855 . The policy shall contain objectives for the systematic inspection of all rental dwellings and priorities for the use of scarce inspection resources. The guidelines shall be based upon, but not limited to, the following factors deemed by the director to promote an efficient inspections program: (a) The number of administrative citations and/or special assessments associated with code enforcement at a property. (b) The number of notices, of director's determination of non-compliance issued pursuant to section 244.1930 for violations of rental licensing standards in section 244.1910 , issued to a property. (c) Rental dwellings with delinquent property taxes. (d) The number of residential inspections occurring at a property and the number of residential violations found at a property. (e) The number of letters of intent to condemn, for lack of maintenance, that have been issued to a property. (f) Rental dwellings with police incidents for drug offenses, prostitution, crimes of force or violence, and loud disturbances or parties. Calls for emergency assistance as set out in Minnesota Statutes, Section 504B.205 shall not be used for purposes of this provision. (g) Sale of the equitable interest in a rental dwelling property. (h) The director shall inform rental dwelling licensees that the city, owners and managers are not allowed to limit tenants' rights to call for emergency services.
Minneapolis Code § 244.1890 requires the city's director of regulatory services to establish a written policy governing how rental properties subject to licensing are selected and prioritized for inspection. The policy must set systematic objectives and account for factors such as prior code violations, delinquent taxes, police incidents, and property sales when allocating limited inspection resources. Notably, calls for emergency assistance are explicitly excluded as a factor, and the rule affirms that tenants' rights to call for emergency services cannot be restricted by the city, owners, or managers.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 244.1890, the inspection priority framework means that properties with histories of administrative citations, non-compliance notices, unresolved violations, or police incidents related to drug offenses or violence are more likely to be scheduled for inspection. Operators who maintain consistent code compliance, address violations promptly, and keep property taxes current generally present a lower-risk profile under the factors the director is directed to weigh. Licensees are also formally notified under this provision that they are prohibited from taking any action that discourages or limits tenants from contacting emergency services.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 244.1890 establishes that the city's inspection scheduling is guided by a documented policy, meaning inspections are not arbitrary — they follow criteria tied to a property's compliance history, tax status, and other factors. Importantly, this provision explicitly protects tenants' right to call for emergency services; neither the city, the owner, nor a property manager is permitted to interfere with or limit that right. Tenants who believe their right to contact emergency services has been restricted may consider reaching out to the Minneapolis Department of Regulatory Services or a local tenant-rights organization for information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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