St. Francis, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 4, § 6 § 4-6-12
Dwellings unfit for human habitation
Operative Text
A. Any rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit which is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, or vermin or rodent infested, or which lacks provision for basic illumination, ventilation or sanitary facilities to the extent that the defects create a hazard to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or of the public may be declared unfit for human habitation. Whenever any rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit has been declared unfit for human habitation, the compliance officer shall order the dwelling or dwelling unit vacated within a reasonable amount of time and shall post a placard on the dwelling or dwelling unit indicating that it is unfit for human habitation and any operating license previously issued for such dwelling shall be revoked. B. It shall be unlawful for such rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit to be used for human habitation until the defective conditions have been corrected and written approval has been issued by the compliance officer. It shall be unlawful for any person to deface or remove the declaration placard from any such rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit. C. The owner of any rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit which has been declared unfit for human habitation, or which is otherwise vacant for a period of sixty (60) days or more, shall make the dwelling or dwelling unit safe and secure so that it is not hazardous to the health, safety and welfare of the public and does not constitute a public nuisance. Any vacant dwelling open at doors or windows, if unguarded, shall be deemed to be a hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the public and a public nuisance within the meaning of this ordinance. D. If a rental dwelling unit has been declared unfit for human habitation and the owner has not remedied the defects within a prescribed reasonable time, the dwelling may be declared a hazardous building and treated consistent with the provisions of State Statutes.
St. Francis Code of Ordinances ch. 4, § 4-6-12 establishes the conditions under which a rental dwelling can be officially declared unfit for human habitation — including damage, decay, dilapidation, unsanitary conditions, safety hazards, pest infestations, or the absence of basic lighting, ventilation, or sanitary facilities. Once such a declaration is made, the compliance officer is required to order the unit vacated, post a placard on the property, and revoke any existing operating license. The unit cannot legally be reoccupied until all defects are corrected and the compliance officer issues written approval, and it is unlawful for anyone to remove or deface the posted placard.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under St. Francis Code of Ordinances ch. 4, § 4-6-12, compliant rental property operators generally maintain their units free of structural damage, pest infestations, and deficiencies in lighting, ventilation, and sanitary systems that could endanger occupants or the public. If a unit is declared unfit, operators are expected to address all cited defects within the timeframe set by the compliance officer and obtain written approval before allowing any reoccupancy. Owners of vacant units — whether declared unfit or simply empty for 60 or more days — are also responsible for keeping those properties secured so they do not become a public nuisance or health hazard.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
St. Francis Code of Ordinances ch. 4, § 4-6-12 provides that tenants living in rental units with serious hazards — such as pest infestations, structural decay, or missing basic utilities — have the protection of an official declaration process that can result in the unit being posted as unfit and the landlord's operating license being revoked. If a placard has been posted on a dwelling, it is unlawful for anyone, including the landlord, to remove it before the defects are corrected and written approval is granted. Tenants who believe their unit may meet the conditions described in this provision can report concerns to the local compliance officer, or seek guidance from a tenant-rights organization to understand the range of options available to them.
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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