Otsego, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 100 (2026) § 4-6-5
INSPECTION CRITERIA
Operative Text
A. The City may inspect any rental unit if it falls within one or more of the following criteria: 1. Such a unit has been abandoned by the owner or the owner of such unit cannot be found. 2. The rental dwelling unit license has been suspended, revoked or denied. 3. Water, gas, or electric service to such unit has been discontinued as a result of nonpayment for more than thirty (30) continuous days. 4. The unit is on a parcel of land which is on the list of delinquent taxes filed by the County Auditor with the Court Administrator of the District Court pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 279.05. 5. The City has probable cause to believe that there exists within such unit one or more violations of the requirements of this chapter. 6. The unit of property within which the unit is located has, within the preceding six (6) months, renewed a license after suspension or revocation. 7. The unit is the subject of a pending notice of the City's intent to suspend or revoke the rental license. (Prior Code § 7-11-5) B. The City compliance official is hereby authorized, in conformity with this chapter, to inspect all rental dwelling units to enforce this section and all applicable Safety Codes. C. The City compliance official is authorized to inspect all rental dwelling units in dwellings, whether having a rental license hereunder or not. The inspection may include the building or structure containing the rental dwelling unit, the land upon which it is located and accessory uses or structures related to the rental dwelling unit. All inspections authorized by this subsection shall be limited to those which are done for the purpose of seeking compliance with the applicable Safety Codes, and shall take place only at reasonable hours or as may otherwise be agreed upon by the owner and the City compliance official. (Prior Code § 7-11-5; amd. 2018 Code) D. The City shall give notice to the owner of any violations of the applicable Safety Codes which are discovered during any inspection. (Prior Code § 7-11-5)
Otsego Ch. 100 § 4-6-5 establishes the circumstances under which the City may inspect rental units, including situations involving abandonment, license suspension or revocation, utility shutoffs lasting more than 30 days, delinquent property taxes, or probable cause of code violations. The City's compliance official is authorized to inspect any rental dwelling unit—licensed or not—to enforce applicable Safety Codes, with inspections limited to reasonable hours unless otherwise agreed. When violations are discovered during an inspection, the City is required to provide written notice of those violations to the property owner.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Otsego Ch. 100 § 4-6-5, compliant rental property operators generally maintain active licenses, keep utility services current, and stay up to date on property taxes to reduce the likelihood of triggering an inspection under the enumerated criteria. Because the compliance official is authorized to inspect any rental unit regardless of licensing status, operators typically ensure their properties meet applicable Safety Codes at all times. When the City does conduct an inspection and issues a notice of violations, operators are expected to address those findings in accordance with the chapter's requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Otsego Ch. 100 § 4-6-5 gives the City broad authority to inspect rental units under a range of conditions, including when there is probable cause to believe code violations exist, which can serve as a pathway for addressing unsafe living conditions. If a tenant believes their unit has Safety Code violations, they may consider contacting the City's compliance office to report concerns, as the official is authorized to inspect and require the owner to receive notice of any violations found. Tenants can also reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to better understand how this provision interacts with their rights under Otsego's rental housing regulations.
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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