Waldorf, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 151 (2026) § 175.32

(A) (1) The City has adopted the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), a national model code that addresses maintenance requirements for the interior and exterior of structures. It is not meant to replace other city ordinances being enforced by the city (e.g. zoning, nuisances, inoperable vehicles, signs, parking, and the like). The IPMC also contains requirements for plumbing, heating, fire, and electrical systems in existing buildings. This document is consistent and comprehensive and is a compatible property maintenance document that is meant to be used with other codes as adopted by the State of Minnesota.


(2) The adoption of this document will clarify the city’s expectations to property owners in the areas of providing safe, structurally sound, well maintained facilities for all buildings in the city.


(B) New rental license . Applications for a residential rental property license will be made to the City Clerk-Treasurer. The completed application will be forwarded to the Zoning Administrator who shall review the application for conflicts with zoning ordinances and parking requirements. If approved, the application will be assigned to the appointed rental housing inspector for inspection on compliance with this code and any other applicable statute, ordinance, code, or regulation. A rental license will be issued after the property is in full compliance with all requirements. The property may not be rented until final approval as evidenced by the issuance of the license.


(C) Inspection upon complaint . Any residential property within the city is subject to investigation upon complaint by any citizen or city employee. Complaints shall be investigated in accordance with the following schedule.


(1) All complaints shall be investigated within 72 hours of receipt by the city rental housing inspector, or their designee, shall inspect the property to verify the existence of conditions in violation of this subchapter or any other applicable statute, ordinance, code or regulation.


(2) Tenant requested inspection. A tenant may at any time request an inspection of the rental property in which they currently reside. A fee for such inspection shall be imposed on the tenant only if the hearing examiner board finds, by a preponderance of the evidence that the request was made in bad faith.


(D) Administrative penalties for failure to allow inspection . The City Council shall establish administrative penalties for intentional failure, or failure without good cause; to appear for scheduled rental inspections or re-inspections or for intentional avoidance or delay in scheduling inspection(s) when requested. Administrative penalties may also be imposed for failure to correct code violations after proper notice. Administrative penalties are in addition to any criminal charges and/or fines.


(E) Confidentiality of complainant’s name(s) . The identities of any person filing a complaint about violations of state law, or local ordinance, concerning the use of real property, and any information that would identify such person, is classified as confidential under M.S. § 13.44. No employee or agent of the city shall release or reveal such information except by court order.


(F) Penalty for retaliation against complainant . It is a misdemeanor for any person to take retaliatory action against, harass or intimidate any person who makes a good-faith complaint against real property within the city.


(G) Penalty of filing a false or malicious complaint . It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to file a false or malicious complaint of violations of state law or local ordinance concerning the use of real property.


(Ord. 85, passed - -2020)