Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-9-16
Definitions (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this title, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Appropriate action means that action which a reasonable rental property owner would take based upon the facts and circumstances of each case so as to prevent a reoccurrence of the disorderly use. Disorderly or disorderly use means that conduct occurring on the licensed premises, which violates a provision of section 7-9-17 (b). License means a registration certificate or the right to receive a registration certificate as required by this chapter. Licensed premises or premises means the property owned, operated, or managed by a rental property owner and shall refer to an individual unit within a multi-unit complex when applicable. Rental property owner means one who holds the license or who is otherwise obligated to obtain and maintain the license as required by this chapter.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-9-16 establishes the working definitions for key terms used throughout the city's rental property licensing and disorderly-use title. Among the most consequential definitions is 'appropriate action,' which is measured against a reasonable rental property owner standard aimed at preventing repeated disorderly conduct. The section also clarifies that 'licensed premises' can refer to an individual unit within a larger complex, and that a 'license' encompasses both a registration certificate and the right to obtain one.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 7-9-16, a compliant rental property owner understands that their obligations attach to the 'licensed premises,' which may mean a single unit in a multi-unit building rather than the entire property. Operators generally familiarize themselves with how 'appropriate action' is defined—specifically, the reasonable-owner standard—because that benchmark is used to evaluate responses to disorderly-use incidents under this title. Maintaining an active registration certificate, or ensuring eligibility to receive one, is part of what it means to hold a 'license' as defined in this section.
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 § 7-9-16 defines the terms that govern how the city's rental licensing and disorderly-use rules apply, including the clarification that a 'licensed premises' can be an individual unit within a larger building. This means tenant-level conduct and conditions in a single apartment can fall within the scope of the title's requirements. Tenants who believe these definitions are being applied incorrectly in their situation may consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the broader provisions of this title for context.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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