Richfield, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 407 § 407.00
Purpose
Operative Text
It is the purpose of this Section to assure that rental housing in the City is decent, safe and sanitary and is so operated and maintained as not to become a nuisance to the neighborhood or to become an influence that fosters blight and deterioration or creates a disincentive to reinvestment in the community. The operation of rental residential properties is a business enterprise that entails certain responsibilities. Operators are responsible to take such reasonable steps as are necessary to assure that the citizens of the City who occupy such units may pursue the quiet enjoyment of the normal activities of life in surroundings that are: safe, secure and sanitary; free from noise, nuisances or annoyances; and free from unreasonable fears about safety of persons and security of property.
Richfield Code of Ordinances § 407.00 establishes the foundational purpose of the city's rental housing regulations: to ensure that rental properties remain decent, safe, and sanitary, and are managed in a way that does not create nuisances, contribute to neighborhood blight, or discourage community reinvestment. The provision frames rental property operation as a business activity that carries defined responsibilities. Under this section, the standard of care centers on residents being able to enjoy their homes in surroundings that are safe, secure, sanitary, free from nuisances, and free from unreasonable concerns about personal safety and property security.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Richfield Code of Ordinances § 407.00 frames rental property ownership as a business enterprise with affirmative responsibilities, meaning compliant operators generally maintain their properties in a safe, sanitary, and secure condition and take reasonable steps to prevent conditions that could constitute a nuisance or contribute to neighborhood deterioration. Operators who align with this purpose typically address maintenance issues proactively, respond to tenant concerns that affect habitability or security, and manage their properties in ways that support — rather than undermine — the surrounding community. Understanding this purpose section helps operators contextualize the more specific requirements found elsewhere in § 407.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Richfield Code of Ordinances § 407.00 articulates that tenants have a recognized interest in quietly enjoying their homes in surroundings that are safe, secure, sanitary, and free from nuisances — and that landlords bear responsibility for taking reasonable steps to make that possible. Tenants who believe their living conditions fall short of this standard may find this purpose section relevant context when raising concerns with their landlord, contacting the City of Richfield, or consulting a local tenant-rights organization. Because § 407.00 is a purpose provision, it is typically read alongside the more specific operative sections of § 407 that spell out particular requirements and remedies.
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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