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Duluth, MN Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Adopted standard: 2012 International Property Maintenance Code
Inspection hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Max total correction period: 180 days
Vacate order window after revocation: Up to 30 days

Summary

In the City of Duluth, the Housing and Property Maintenance Code adopts the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code by reference as the minimum habitability standard for every licensed rental unit, enforced by the code official through inspection, correction orders and license revocation.

(a) The council recognizes the importance of maintaining safe, dignified, and codecompliant rental housing. ... (f) The city does hereby adopt by reference the year 2012 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, as hereinafter amended pursuant to this ordinance, as the Housing and Property Maintenance Code of the city of Duluth.

View official code

Full Breakdown

after written notice under § 29A-3, and if violations are found, § 29A-33 requires the code official to mail written notice identifying the violations and a correction timeline; owners get 14 days to inform the code official and tenants of a scheduled repair date, and the total correction period cannot exceed 180 days. Failure to correct violations or vacate can lead the code official to revoke the rental license and order the unit vacated within 30 days under § 29A-33(b)(2). Section 29A-1(f) also carves out that repairs, additions, alterations and occupancy changes still follow Minnesota State Building Code procedures, and that the Housing Code does not override the zoning provisions of Chapter 50.

Violations & Fines

Violating the Housing and Property Maintenance Code is enforceable through an administrative citation under Chapter 12, a citation under § 1-7, or civil action, and each day a violation remains uncorrected after the code official's final order is a separate offense under § 29A-34(b). The code official can also revoke the rental license and order the unit vacated within 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sets the minimum condition standard for rental units in Duluth?

The city adopted the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code by reference as its Housing and Property Maintenance Code under Duluth Legislative Code § 29A-1(f), which governs every licensed rental unit unless the city's own chapter says otherwise.

How does the city enforce habitability standards in a rental?

The code official can inspect licensed units, issue written violation notices with a correction timeline under § 29A-33, and if the owner does not fix the problems or vacate, revoke the rental license and order the property vacated within 30 days.

How long does a landlord have to fix a habitability violation?

The code official sets the timeline in the notice, and any additional correction period cannot push the total time beyond 180 days under § 29A-33(b)(1); emergency repairs must be handled faster under Article III.

Sources & Official References

[1]Duluth Legislative Code

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