Saint Bonifacius, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 150 (2026) § 151.04
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. APARTMENT BUILDING. Any building or portion thereof that contains three or more dwelling units, sleeping rooms, or a combination thereof, but not including condominiums or townhomes. CITY. The City of St. Bonifacius. CITY COUNCIL. The City Council of the City of St. Bonifacius. CODE OFFICIAL. The Code Official for the city or his or her duly authorized representative(s). CONDOMINIUM. A single dwelling unit in a multi-dwelling unit building that is separately owned and may be combined with an undivided interest in the common areas and facilities of the premises. Each individual owner may sell or encumber his, her or its own dwelling unit. DENIAL. As used in this code of ordinances, the refusal to grant a license to a new or renewing applicant by the city. DWELLING UNIT. Any building or portion thereof that contains living facilities including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation for not more than one family in a single habitable unit. Each room or group of rooms with: (1) An entrance door to the exterior of the building; or (2) An entrance door to a common corridor or hallway is a separate dwelling unit. EFFICIENCY DWELLING UNIT. A dwelling unit containing only one habitable room, plus bathroom facilities. LEASE. An oral or written agreement between a rental dwelling unit owner and a tenant for temporary use of a rental dwelling unit, usually in exchange for payment of rent. LICENSE. The formal approval of an activity specified on the certificate of license issued by the city. LICENSE APPLICATION. The form provided by the city, which must be completed by the owner, by which an owner requests a license. LICENSEE. An owner of a rental dwelling unit who has been issued a license by the city for the rental dwelling unit. OWNER. A person or entity that has an ownership interest in a rental dwelling unit. PREMISES. The real estate upon which any rental dwelling unit subject to this subchapter is located. RENT. The consideration paid by a tenant to the owner of a rental dwelling unit for temporary and exclusive use of the rental dwelling unit by the tenant. The consideration is not limited to cash. RENTAL DWELLING UNIT. A dwelling unit or sleeping room occupied and leased by a tenant or made available for occupancy by a prospective tenant. REVOKE. To take back a license issued by the city. SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING. A building or portion thereof containing one dwelling unit. For purposes of this section, a single-family dwelling unit includes a freestanding single-family residence, a single dwelling in a cooperative, an individual condominium or townhouse, a single dwelling unit in a non-residential structure or a dwelling unit offered for rent in a duplex in which the owner occupies the other dwelling unit. SLEEPING ROOM. Any room or rooms used or intended to be used by a tenant for sleeping purposes with or without meals and not licensed by the state’s Department of Health. SUSPEND. To make a license temporarily inoperative. TENANT. Any adult person granted temporary use of a rental dwelling unit pursuant to a lease with the owner of the rental dwelling unit. TOWNHOUSE. A single-family dwelling constructed in a group of dwellings attached to each other and where each dwelling unit extends from the foundation to the roof and is separated from other dwelling units by property lines. TWO-FAMILY DWELLING. A building or portion thereof containing two dwelling units. (Ord. 82B, passed 2-16-2011)
Section 151.04 of Saint Bonifacius Ch. 150 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the rental housing subchapter. It defines key terms such as "rental dwelling unit," "owner," "tenant," "license," and "apartment building," clarifying how each word is to be understood when it appears elsewhere in the code. Notably, condominiums and townhomes are carved out of the "apartment building" definition, and "rent" is defined broadly to include non-cash consideration. These definitions set the interpretive boundaries for all licensing, compliance, and enforcement provisions that follow.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Saint Bonifacius should familiarize themselves with the definitions in § 151.04, as these terms govern how the entire rental housing subchapter applies to their properties. For example, whether a property qualifies as an "apartment building," a "single-family dwelling," or a "two-family dwelling" under this section determines which licensing requirements apply. Compliant operators generally ensure that their understanding of terms like "licensee," "owner," and "rental dwelling unit" aligns with the definitions codified here before submitting any license application to the city.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Saint Bonifacius benefit from understanding the definitions set out in § 151.04, since these terms shape the rights and obligations described throughout the rental housing subchapter. For instance, the definition of "tenant" is limited to adults granted temporary use under a lease, and "rent" is defined to include forms of consideration beyond cash payments. Tenants who believe a provision of the subchapter applies to their situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid resource to understand how these definitions interact with specific protections or requirements in the code.
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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