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

Section 29A-28 of the Duluth Legislative Code makes licensing mandatory before any rental unit, defined under Section 29A-27(f) as any dwelling occupied by a tenant, with each bedroom counted separately for fee purposes, can be occupied by a tenant. 2; renewal applications are due at least 90 days before expiration, and a rental unit built and certified for occupancy within the past year can get its first license without an inspection, while every other unit must be inspected and found compliant first. Section 29A-30 leaves the fee amount to a council resolution, and Section 29A-31 sets a three-year license term.

Section 29A-32 adds ongoing conditions: the license cannot be transferred to a different property, a non-owner-occupied unit must post the owner's or managing agent's name, email, and phone number at the main entrance, and a change of ownership triggers a 30-day window to apply for a transfer and pay the transfer fee. Section 29A-29(e) also requires every applicant to name a managing agent or contact person living within 25 miles of the city who can act for the owner and keep contact information current. 2 must be renewed every three years, or sooner if the code official verifies a tenant complaint or code violation, in which case a fresh course is due within 90 days of notice.