Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-9-13
Certificate renewal and transferability (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
(a) Registration certificates will be placed on one-year, two-year, three-year, or four-year cycle pending the last inspection scoring, which is determined upon number and priority of violations. All information required by section 7-9-2 must be submitted at the time of renewal. (b) Every person who transfers title to property registered under this chapter shall provide the director with the name, residence address, telephone number, and date of the transfer of title to the new owner within ten days of the date of such transfer. Within 30 days of the date of such transfer, the new owner or their agent shall make application to transfer the registration certificate to the new owner. A rental certificate transfer fee of $20.00 must be paid at the time that the application for transfer is submitted to the director. In the case of an option contract where the holder of the option is collecting rents and/or is paying on the mortgage to the property while the option remains unexercised, the holder of the option shall be deemed to be the owner of the property for purposes of this section and shall be required to apply for a rental registration certificate in his name. The date the option contract is created shall be deemed to be the date the holder of the option becomes the owner for purposes of this section.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-9-13 establishes how rental registration certificates are renewed and transferred in Rochester, Minnesota. Renewal cycles of one to four years are assigned based on a property's inspection history, specifically the number and priority of violations found. When a property changes hands, both the seller and the new owner have defined windows to notify the city and apply for a certificate transfer, and a $20 transfer fee applies. Holders of option contracts who collect rent or pay the mortgage are treated as owners for registration purposes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-9-13, compliant property operators track their assigned renewal cycle—which can range from one to four years depending on past inspection scores—and submit all information required by section 7-9-2 at renewal time. When selling or transferring title, the transferring owner notifies the director of the new owner's name, address, phone number, and transfer date within ten days. The new owner or their agent then applies to transfer the registration certificate within 30 days of the transfer date and pays the $20 transfer fee at the time of application. Operators holding option contracts who collect rents or pay the mortgage should be aware they are treated as owners and must obtain a registration certificate in their own name.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-9-13 affects tenants by ensuring that rental properties remain registered with the city even when ownership changes hands. A new owner is required to apply for a certificate transfer within 30 days of acquiring the property, which means tenants can check with the city to confirm whether their rental unit holds a current, valid registration. If a registration appears lapsed or a transfer was not completed, tenants may contact the city's relevant housing or licensing office to raise the issue or file a concern. Tenant-rights organizations in Rochester can also help residents understand what options are available when registration requirements have not been met.
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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