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Multi Family (3+ units) Rental Licensing
The intent of the Multi-Family Licensing Program in New Brighton is to:
- Promote the health, safety, and welfare of the general public
- Assure preservation of the existing housing supply
- Help maintain property values
- Work toward eliminating substandard and deteriorating rental housing
- Maintain a living environment that contributes to healthful individual and family living
In General
- Each multi-family building with three or more rental dwelling units shall obtain a license before any unit in the building or complex is rented out.
- Regular licenses will be issued for a period of one year, and provisional licenses will be issued for a period of six months.
- All units, regardless of their initial expiration date, are required to renew their license during the City’s annual renewal period (Jan 1 through Feb 28th). Applications for renewal are due by the end of the last business day prior to January 15th of any given year. Early applications are encouraged and preferred. Renewal applications received after the deadline will be subject to late fees as required by code.
- Renewal applications will be processed during the annual renewal period for the following year’s license. Building owners will not be penalized if City schedules dictate that physical inspections are delayed until the subsequent licensing year.
- Ownership changes require tenant and City notification at the time of sale click here for more information
If you have any questions about the City of New Brighton’s Multi-Family Licensing Program, please contact our code compliance officer at (651) 638-2061, or Email Scott Gigrich
Per City Code Chapter 15, Article 3, no person shall be allowed to occupy or rent a multi-family dwelling unless a license for such has been granted by the City. This Chapter outlines the process staff will follow on a yearly basis to complete the licensing process, and the procedures we will follow if and or when a property falls into provisional status.
Applications can only be accepted from the owner of a building, an officer of the corporation that owns the building, or a partner if the building is owned by a partnership.
Yearly, the rental license application form is required along with fees and an annual inspection. This form requires all detailed information called for by City Code.
Applications are to be reviewed as they are received. An application must include all required information and signatures before it will be deemed complete. Applications, not "complete" prior to the application deadline will be subject to a late fee.
Once an application is complete, the staff is to contact the property manager and schedule a date and time for inspections to occur. Inspections can be scheduled anytime between January 2nd and the last day of February. If necessary, inspections can also be scheduled in March.
Prior to visiting a site, staff shall review the previous year's inspection documentation and notes in preparation of this year's visit. Specific units that must be examined again should be identified, as should units that can be avoided given they were already inspected in previous years.
The Building inspection team will arrive promptly at the scheduled inspection time to undertake the following tasks before considering the inspection complete. If circumstances dictate, the review may be completed at a later agreed-upon time and date.
Introduction to Property Management & Maintenance Personnel
- Ask if there are any problems in the building or units that need to be inspected due to past issues (Hoarding, repairs, other issues)
- Inquire about any logs maintained for fire apparatus, smoke alarms, co alarms, fire extinguishers, exit lights fire doors, and other maintenance concerns.
Inspect Entryways & Hallways for Safety
Test emergency lights, and fire doors, check for clear paths in the hallways, ensure steps are safe, no loose hand railings, windows/wall/ceilings needing crack repair, signs of water damage, proper lighting is installed and no sconces burned out or broken, flooring did not wear out, torn, uneven, or a tripping hazard.
Inspect Laundry Rooms
Test CO alarms, test fire alarms, ensure proper vent connections are in place, check gas connection(s), check electrical connection(s), and look for buildup of dryer vent lint or buildup of materials behind laundry units.
Inspect Mechanical Rooms
Check all water and gas connections, look for water and gas leaks, check ceilings and walls for any damage or water leaks, ensure proper venting is in place, check boilers, check furnaces for rust, specifically check furnace venting and gas connection, test CO2 alarm(s) and smoke alarm(s), and check for storage items in the room (not allowed).
Inspect other Common Areas - Ensure safety measures are met within maintenance rooms, game rooms, storage rooms, garbage rooms, dayrooms, etc.
Inspect Units
Inspect Units, typically 10% to 15% of the total unit count. Unit inspections to include examination of:
- Security (throughout): entry door, locks, unauthorized locks, patio doors operational, screens OK, windows operational and not cracked, etc.
- Safety (throughout): Smoke and CO alarms all operational, no plumbing leaks, no gas leaks, no exposed electrical, decks and balconies safe, etc.
- Bathrooms: toilet operational, sink works, shower walls condition, no floor or ceiling issues, no plumbing leaks, GFI outlet(s) work, no mold, etc.
- Kitchen: kitchen cleanliness, oven/stove operational, sink works, etc
- Bedroom(s): COs and smoke alarms tested, ensure proper egress, check doors, windows, screens,
- Housekeeping / Unit Appearance: Cleanliness of the unit, unusual smells, damage to walls or ceilings, other housekeeping concerns (i.e. open garbage, signs of rodents, rats, mice, cockroaches, or other pests), etc.
- Problem units may be examined on a yearly basis, otherwise, staff should document which units are inspected in any given year so other units are examined in subsequent years.
Inspect Building Exterior
Check building siding, soffits, trim, windows, and doors for needed repairs.
Inspect Parking Lots & Garages
Inspect Parking Lots and Garages are all being properly maintained
Inspect Outside Common Areas
Ensure all such areas are free from garbage, junk, or other zoning infractions.
Talk with Renters
Talk with Renters to see if they have any concerns.
If possible, staff should walk the property with management and maintenance personnel to point out specific items that will be called out in a future violation letter. Discuss the timeframe that will be provided to implement a fix, and identify any interim safety measures that must be put in place prior to a fix occurring.
Upon completing an inspection, staff shall document the results and send a compliance/non-compliance report.
Should the building inspection identify problems that must be addressed, staff will outline all required corrections in writing, and will offer to meet with the owner on-site to identify and discuss corrective actions. LIFE/HEALTH/SAFETY infractions must be dealt with immediately (either fixed or mitigated until a fix can be implemented) and could make the license subject to revocation if not acted upon as directed.
Licenses can be conditionally approved subject to all corrections being completed by a date specific. While the staff is to work with every license holder on reasonable timelines for compliance, failure to make all required corrections will result in the license being subject to revocation.
Staff shall schedule future inspections on all conditionally approved licenses, and shall ensure all requirements are eventually met by established deadlines.
A requested license can be issued upon successful completion of the following:
- The building/complex and license application are found to be in compliance with all requirements.
- The staff has confirmed that all real estate taxes for the property are paid in full. NOTE: Real estate taxes will not be considered due and unpaid if a proper and timely appeal of said taxes is pending and is being diligently pursued to completion by the landowner.
- The staff has confirmed that all municipal utility bills for the premises have been paid in full.
Once ready for issuance, staff will email or deliver a copy of the license to the property owner along with instructions on display requirements and the future renewal process.
A requested license can be denied, suspended, or revoked for any of the following reasons:
- Information submitted or statements given by the applicant or licensee are determined to be false.
- The applicant or licensee fails to pay the application fee and imposed a penalty, re-inspection fee, or reinstatement fee as required by City Code or the adopted fee schedule.
- A licensee fails to correct deficiencies identified in a notice of violation within the time specified.
- A licensee fails to comply with provisions of an approved mitigation plan in the case of a provisional license.
- Any violation of City Code Chapter 13.
Per code, all denials, non-renewals, suspensions, or revocations must be approved by Council (we'll need to update the code to address this problem). Until changes are made, staff will prepare a staff report along with supporting documentation, and prepare a resolution for Council consideration at their next available meeting. The City Manager will be consulted as to whether the resolution will appear as a business item, or whether it will go on the agenda as a consent item. Depending on the facts, building inspection staff may be asked to attend any Council meeting at which denial, non-renewal, suspension or revocation is discussed to answer questions
The rights and duties of landlords and tenants in Minnesota are spelled out in federal law, state statutes, local ordinances, safety and housing codes, common law, contract law, and a number of court decisions. These responsibilities can vary from place to place around the state.
View Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities website.
To apply for a short-term rental, please apply by our Homeowner Application for Permit online portal.
The Helping Residents Recycle Better website provides recycling information and free resources for property owners and managers of multi-unit dwellings in Ramsey County and Washington County. If you are a tenant, please visit RamseyRecycles or the Washington County Disposal Directory
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Scott Gigrich
Code Compliance OfficerPhone: 651-638-2061
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Community Assets & Development
Physical Address
803 Old Highway 8 NW
New Brighton, MN 55112
Phone: 651-638-2056