Blaine, MN Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Section 18-316(a) bars anyone from allowing a rental dwelling unit to be occupied or let for occupancy without a city-issued license, and section 18-261 restates that every rental dwelling must be licensed under article V. The application under section 18-317 must give the owner's name and address, any managing agent's contact details, corporate officer or partner names where applicable, the vendees on a contract for deed, the person to receive violation notices, and proof that the smoking policy has been disclosed to tenants. Section 18-318 lets the city issue a license only if the building and application comply with the article and article IV's maintenance standards and all property taxes and city utility bills are current.

An owner who does not live in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, Washington, Sherburne, Isanti, or Chisago County, or a nearby part of Wisconsin, must designate a resident agent within that area who is authorized to receive notices and take remedial action, unless the city inspector finds the owner otherwise sufficiently accessible. Licenses run for a one-year term starting January 1 under section 18-319. Fees are set by council resolution under section 18-320, with a late fee added for applications filed after January 1 and an additional late fee for every following 30-day period.

The licensee must post the license in a conspicuous common area under section 18-321, and a license can be transferred for a fee to a new owner under section 18-322, but it terminates if the new owner does not apply for a transfer before taking title.