Rochester's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In Rochester, Minnesota, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Rental Registration

Every dwelling, apartment or rooming unit rented out in Rochester needs a registration certificate before an owner may allow occupancy, under City Code section 7-9-1. The certificate issues in the owner's name, runs $112 per building plus $37 per unit, and covers the whole dwelling in multi-unit buildings.

Key details: Requirement: Registration certificate before renting. Fee: $112/building + $37/unit. Transfer fee: $20 within 30 days of sale. Out-of-county owners: Must appoint local property manager. Pending window: 90 days to rent while pending.

Renting without a valid registration certificate is a violation of the Code under section 7-9-12; every day a property is rented without one on file counts as a separate offense. The section 7-3-6 fee schedule adds an escalating penalty of up to $500 for an unregistered rental, starting with a warning, on top of any court fine.

This is one of the stricter rules in Rochester's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Repairs & Habitability

Rochester landlords who rent, lease or let a dwelling unit or sleeping unit must supply heat once the outside temperature at the Rochester International Airport drops below 50°F, keeping every habitable room, bathroom and toilet room at a minimum of 68°F. Sec. 7-7-5 of the Housing Code sets the trigger and the floor; Sec. 7-7-4 blocks owners from meeting it with cooking appliances or portable unvented heaters.

Key details: Minimum temperature: 68°F (20°C) in habitable rooms. Trigger: Outside temp below 50°F at Rochester airport. Prohibited heat source: Cooking appliances, unvented portable heaters. Measurement method: 3 ft above floor, 2 ft from exterior wall. Enforcement: Code official; misdemeanor/civil infraction.

Failing to supply heat that keeps habitable rooms at 68°F once outside temperatures fall below 50°F is a misdemeanor or civil infraction under Sec. 7-3-24, and it is treated as a strict-liability offense under Sec. 7-3-23, meaning intent is not a defense. Each day the violation continues after the code official serves a notice of violation counts as a separate offense, and the city can also file a civil action to restrain or abate the violation under Sec. 7-3-25.

The Bottom Line

Rochester's rental property rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Rochester is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Rochester's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.