Shorewood, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 1095 (2026) § 1004.01
PURPOSE AND INTENT
Operative Text
Subd. 1. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health, safety and the general welfare of the rental population of the city. These general objectives include, among others, the following: a. To maintain a quality character and stability of rental dwelling units within the city; b. To correct and prevent rental housing conditions that adversely affect, or are likely to adversely affect the life, safety, general welfare and health of persons occupying rental dwellings within the city; c. To provide minimum standards for cooking, heating and sanitary equipment necessary to the health and safety of occupants of rental buildings; d. To provide minimum standards of light and ventilation necessary to health and safety; e. To provide minimum standards for the maintenance of existing rental buildings and to thus prevent slums and blight; and f. To preserve the value of land and buildings throughout the city. Subd. 2. Intent. It is not the intention of the City Council to intrude upon the fair and accepted contractual relationship between tenant and landlord. The City Council does not intend to intervene as an advocate of either party, nor to act as an arbiter, nor to be receptive to complaints from tenant or landlord which are not specifically and clearly relevant to the provisions of this chapter. Subd. 3. Application of requirements. Every rental dwelling unit and its premises used in whole or in part as a home or residence, or as an accessory structure thereof, for a single-family or person shall conform to the requirements of this chapter, irrespective of when the building may have been constructed, altered or repaired. This chapter establishes minimum standards for erected rental dwelling units, accessory structures and related premises. (1987 Code, § 1004.01) (Ord. 272, passed 4-12-1993; Am. Ord. 546, passed - -2017)
Shorewood Ch. 1095 § 1004.01 establishes the foundational purpose and scope of the city's rental dwelling regulations. The chapter is designed to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of people living in rental housing by setting minimum standards for maintenance, sanitation, lighting, ventilation, heating, and cooking equipment. These standards apply to every rental dwelling unit used as a home or residence, regardless of when the building was originally constructed, altered, or repaired. The city explicitly states it does not intend to take sides in landlord-tenant disputes, but rather to set a baseline of habitability for the rental housing stock.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Shorewood Ch. 1095 § 1004.01, rental property owners and managers are expected to maintain their units in conformance with the chapter's minimum standards — covering areas such as sanitation, heating, cooking equipment, lighting, and ventilation — regardless of the age or construction history of the building. Compliant operators generally conduct routine inspections of their properties to identify and address conditions that could adversely affect occupant health or safety before they become violations. Because § 1004.01 makes clear that these standards apply to all rental dwellings irrespective of when they were built, older properties are held to the same baseline requirements as newer ones.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Shorewood Ch. 1095 § 1004.01 establishes that every rental dwelling unit in the city must meet minimum standards for health and safety, including adequate sanitation, heating, cooking equipment, light, and ventilation. Tenants living in units that fall short of these baseline conditions may have grounds to raise those deficiencies as relevant to the provisions of this chapter. General enforcement paths can include documenting the conditions, notifying the appropriate city department responsible for rental dwelling inspections, or consulting a local tenant-rights organization familiar with Shorewood's rental regulations.
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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