Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 250.10
Definitions (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
The following words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth below: (1) Condominium: Real estate, portions of which are designated for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designated for common ownership solely by the owners of the separate ownership portions. Real estate is not a condominium unless the undivided interests in the common elements are vested in the units' owners. (2) Conversion condominium: A condominium containing a building which at any time before the recording of the declaration creating a condominium under Minnesota Statutes contained residential rental units. (3) Declarant: (a) If the condominium has been created, any person who has executed a declaration other than persons holding interests in the real estate solely as security for an obligation, persons whose interests in real estate will not be conveyed to unit owners, or, in the case of a leasehold condominium, a lessor who is not an affiliate of a declarant; or (b) If the condominium has not yet been created, any person who offers to dispose of his interest in a unit not previously disposed of. (4) Affiliate of a declarant: Any person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a declarant. (a) A person "controls" a declarant if the person: (i) Is a general partner, officer, director or employee of the declarant; or (ii) Directly or indirectly or acting in concert with one or more other persons, or through one or more subsidiaries, owns, controls, holds with power to vote, or holds proxies representing more than twenty (20) percent of the voting interests of the declarant; or (iii) Controls in any manner the election of a majority of the directors of the declarant; or (iv) Has contributed more than twenty (20) percent of the capital of the declarant. (b) A person "is controlled by" a declarant if the declarant: (i) Is a general partner, officer, director or employee of the person; or (ii) Directly or indirectly or acting in concert with one or more other persons, or through one or more subsidiaries, owns, controls, holds with power to vote, or holds proxies representing more than twenty (20) percent of the voting interests of the person; or (iii) Controls in any manner the election of a majority of the directors of the person; or (iv) Has contributed more than twenty (20) percent of the capital of the person. (5) Person: A natural person, corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof. (6) Purchaser: Any person, other than a declarant, who by means of a voluntary transfer acquires a legal or equitable interest in a unit, other than: (i) A leasehold interest (including renewal options) of less than three (3) years; or (ii) As security for an obligation. (7) Security for an obligation: The vendor's interest in a contract for deed, mortgagee's interest in a mortgage, purchaser's interest under a sheriff's certificate of sale, or the holder's interest in a lien. (8) Unit: A portion of the condominium whether or not contained solely or partially within a building designated for separate ownership. (79-Or-209, § 1, 10-26-79)
Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 250.10 establishes the foundational vocabulary for the city's condominium conversion chapter, setting precise meanings for terms like 'declarant,' 'purchaser,' 'unit,' and 'affiliate of a declarant.' These definitions determine which parties, properties, and transactions fall within the chapter's scope and protections. For example, a 'conversion condominium' specifically covers buildings that previously contained residential rental units, which is a key threshold for triggering the chapter's tenant-protection rules.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and developers involved in condominium conversions in Minneapolis should be familiar with the defined terms in § 12 § 250.10, since these definitions govern how the rest of the chapter applies to their projects. Operators who have executed a declaration, hold more than 20 percent of voting interests in a declarant entity, or have contributed more than 20 percent of a declarant's capital may qualify as a 'declarant' or 'affiliate of a declarant,' which carries specific obligations throughout the chapter. Careful attention to whether a building previously contained residential rental units is also important, as that history determines whether a project qualifies as a 'conversion condominium' under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in buildings that are being converted to condominiums in Minneapolis should know that § 12 § 250.10 defines the key terms that shape their rights under the broader conversion chapter, including what counts as a 'conversion condominium' and who qualifies as a 'purchaser.' Because these definitions determine whether the chapter's protections apply to a given situation, tenants who receive notice of a conversion may benefit from reviewing how these terms apply to their building. Tenant-rights organizations in Minneapolis can help residents understand whether their building meets the definition of a 'conversion condominium' and what rights may follow from that classification.
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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