Princeton, Minn., City Code title 3 ch. 358 (2026) § 358.10
License Required
Operative Text
358.10 License Required.
(a) License.
1) No person, firm, or corporation shall operate a rental dwelling unit without first having obtained
a rental dwelling license from the City as provided in this Article.
2) Each rental dwelling license shall be applied for and issued every three years.
3-22 Amended 10-22-26
3) Rental dwelling license renewal applications shall be filed on or before thirty (30) days prior to
the expiration of the current license. Sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of a rental dwelling
license, the City shall notify the operator of the upcoming renewal deadline within which to file
the rental dwelling license renewal application.
4) If a renewal application is made less than thirty (30) days before the beginning date of the
renewal license period applied for, then the fee shall be accompanied by an additional amount
equal to one hundred (100%) percent of such license fee. The additional amount shall be a
penalty for a late application. In no case shall there be a lapse in the rental dwelling license
period.
(b) Exceptions from rental licensing.
1) Structures that are licensed as a nursing home or boarding care home by the State
Department of Health shall be exempt from the license required under this Article.
2) State licensed residential facilities.
3) A single-family residential property that has been sold on a contract for deed or has been
sold as "rent to own" so long as the purchaser occupies the property and the contract used to
memorialize the sale is recorded with the County Recorder's office as applicable and a copy
is provided to the City.
4) A single-family residential property that is occupied by the owner and two or fewer tenants
where the owner and the tenants share all common living spaces within the dwelling.
(c) Renewal of license.
1) All rental dwelling licenses shall be valid for a period of three (3) years.
2) Rental dwelling license renewal applications and required fees must be submitted to the City
every three (3) years before a renewed license is issued.Princeton, MN City Code § 358.10 requires that anyone operating a rental dwelling unit in Princeton must hold a valid rental dwelling license issued by the City, renewed every three years. The City is required to notify operators 60 days before a license expires, and renewal applications must be submitted at least 30 days before expiration; late applications trigger a penalty equal to 100% of the license fee. Certain properties are exempt, including state-licensed nursing homes, residential facilities, contract-for-deed or rent-to-own properties where the purchaser occupies the home and the contract is recorded, and owner-occupied single-family homes shared with two or fewer tenants in all common living spaces.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 358.10 of Princeton's Long Term Residential Rental Licensing ordinance, compliant operators maintain a current rental dwelling license at all times and track their three-year renewal cycle carefully. The City will send a renewal reminder 60 days before expiration, but operators generally submit their renewal application and fees at least 30 days before the license expires to avoid the 100% late-penalty surcharge. Operators whose properties may qualify for an exemption—such as owner-occupied homes shared with two or fewer tenants, or contract-for-deed arrangements recorded with the County Recorder—should confirm that all exemption conditions are met and documented before forgoing a license application.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 358.10 of Princeton's City Code establishes that tenants have a general interest in knowing whether their rental unit is covered by a valid City-issued license, since operating without one is a violation of the ordinance. If a tenant believes their landlord is operating without the required license, they may contact the City of Princeton directly to inquire about the property's licensing status or report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations can help tenants understand how unlicensed operation may affect their rights or serve as a defense in certain housing proceedings.
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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