Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.2110
Definitions (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
The following words and phrases used in this article shall have the meanings set forth below: Affordable housing building means a multiple-family rental housing building having five (5) or more dwelling units where at least twenty (20) percent of the units rent for an amount that is affordable at no more than thirty (30) percent of income to households at or below sixty (60) percent of area median income, as most recently determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) purposes, as adjusted for household size and number of bedrooms. Affordable housing dwelling unit means a rental dwelling unit in an affordable housing building that rents for an amount that is affordable to households at or below sixty (60) percent of area median income, as most recently determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, as adjusted for household size and number of bedrooms. Available for sale means the earliest implementation of any of the following actions, including, but not limited to, negotiating to enter into a purchase agreement that includes the affordable housing building, advertising the sale of the affordable housing building, entering into a listing agreement to sell the affordable housing building, or posting a sign that the affordable housing building is for sale. Cause means the tenant or a member of the tenant's household materially violated a term of the lease. Relocation assistance means a payment in the amount equal to three (3) months of the current monthly contract rent. Tenant protection period means the period that commences with the transfer of ownership of an affordable housing building and runs through the end of the three (3) calendar months following the month in which written notice of sale is delivered to each affordable housing dwelling unit tenant pursuant to section 244.2140 . Transfer of ownership means any conveyance of title to an affordable housing building, whether legal or equitable, voluntary or involuntary, resulting in a transfer of control of the building, effective as of the earlier of the date of delivery of the instrument of conveyance or the date the new owner takes possession. ( Ord. No. 2018-063 , § 1, 11-2-18)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.2110 establishes the foundational definitions that govern the city's affordable housing sale protections. Key terms include 'affordable housing building' (a rental property of five or more units where at least 20% of units are affordable to households at or below 60% of area median income), 'tenant protection period' (a window of time beginning at ownership transfer and extending three calendar months after written sale notice is delivered), and 'relocation assistance' (a payment equal to three months of current contract rent). These definitions set the boundaries for who and what qualifies for protections under the broader article, and how critical timelines are measured.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers of multi-family rental buildings should carefully review the definitions in § 244.2110 to determine whether their building qualifies as an 'affordable housing building' under Minneapolis ordinance. Operators generally track HUD's most recent area median income figures to assess whether the 20% affordability threshold is met, since that classification triggers the article's broader obligations. Compliant operators also pay close attention to the definition of 'available for sale,' as the ordinance identifies a broad range of early-stage marketing and negotiation activities as the starting point for sale-related obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in rental buildings with five or more units may have protections under Minneapolis Code § 244.2110 if their building qualifies as an 'affordable housing building' based on HUD income thresholds. The definition of 'tenant protection period' means that rights and protections can extend for several months after a sale is completed, not just up to the point of transfer. Tenants who believe their building may qualify, or who have questions about whether they are in an 'affordable housing dwelling unit,' may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the full article to understand what relocation assistance and other protections may apply.
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.
Effective Timeline
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