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Rental Licensing - Owners/Managers

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1. Why do I need to license my rental unit/property?

Many cities, Burnsville included, require rental properties to be licensed. Licenses help ensure the continued health, safety and welfare of all residents who live in rental properties and in surrounding neighborhoods. Since operating a rental property is a business, doing so also requires that certain responsibilities and standards be upheld.

By requiring rental properties be licensed, the City helps ensure owners, operators and managers are taking reasonable steps to provide a safe, secure, sanitary and reasonably nuisance-free environment for tenants and neighboring residents.

Requiring rental licenses and minimum standards helps maintain property values and assure the preservation of the City's existing housing supply.

2. Do I need a license to rent my single family home, townhome, condominium or manufactured home?

Yes. A license is required for any housing unit being rented, including all single- and multi-unit rentals.

3. Do I need a license to rent a room in my home?

No. A license is not needed if you own and live in the home that you are renting to a roommate.

4. If I live in my home part-time (i.e. I'm a snowbird), do I need a license to rent while I'm away?

No. The rental ordinance includes an exemption for "snowbirds" renting their home for only a portion of the year.

5. I've been forced to relocate due to a job or another reason. My son, daughter, or another relative now stays in my home to care for it. Do I need a license?

No. The rental ordinance includes an exemption for homes rented/occupied by family members.

6. I'm in the military and have been deployed. I would like to rent my home while away, do I need a license?

No. The rental ordinance includes an exemption for active duty military members.

7. Do I need a license to rent my manufactured home?

Individual manufactured homes that are rented (and not owner-occupied) require a rental license and inspections.

8. Do nursing homes, assisted and independent living homes and group homes need to be licensed?

If a facility is licensed and inspected by the State, it is not subject to the City of Burnsville rental ordinance. Any independent or assisted living rental units that are not licensed and/or inspected by the State are subject to City of Burnsville fees and inspections.

9. Do I have to pay to be licensed?

Yes. The ordinance requires ALL rental property owners/managers pay an annual rental license fee.

10. How much does a rental license cost?

Apartment Complex:
For 2016, a multi-unit apartment complex will be charge a license fee of $135 per building and $11 per unit. Multi-unit apartment complexes with shared common space are also subject to an additional annual fire inspection fee currently estimated at $150 per building.
(This means the annual license fee for a four-building, 150-unit apartment complex would be $2,720 [$135 X 4 buildings=$520 | $11 X 150 units = $1,650 | $150 X 4 buildings = $600]
Fees may change from year to year.

Individual Unit (single-family, condo or townhome) - Within Association or Same Building:
Owners that rent out individual units located within an association or within the same building will be charge $160 for each individual unit within the building or association.

Townhome Complex:
Owners who rent out multi-unit townhomes within a townhome rental complex will be charged $85 per building and $11 per unit.

Manufactured Home Parks:
Manufactured home park owners who own and rent out individual homes within their park will be charged $260 per park and $45 per rented manufactured home. Individual manufactured home owners (who do not own the park in which their home is located) who rent out their unit will be subject to the individual unit fee of $160.

11. When do I pay for the rental license?

The annual rental license fee is due at the time of license renewal with the application. Rental licenses are valid for one year from date of issue and must be renewed annually.

12. I don't have an existing rental license, but am renting out my property. What do I do?

Properties that convert from owner-occupied to rental properties must pay a one-time conversion fee of $500. This fee covers the first year's license and initial inspection, along with one follow-up inspection. Conversion fees are applicable to individual units (single-family, townhomes, condos and manufactured homes) converted to rentals.

13. What if I rent a property without a license?

Failure to obtain a rental license is a violation of the City ordinance and could result in fines up to $1,000 per unit, citations and/or an inability to rent.

14. How do I get licensed?

Apply for a rental license by completing an online license application or apply in person at Burnsville City Hall. Contact Licensing and Code Enforcement at 952-895-4440.

15. Will my rental require an inspection?

Yes. All individual rental units must be inspected every three years, and all exteriors and common areas (entrances, hallways, trash enclosures, utility rooms and laundry rooms) of MULTI-UNIT rental complexes will be inspected annually by the fire department. One-third of an apartment complex will be inspected each year.

16. What will the inspector be looking for?

The inspector looks for items that pose a hazard to health and safety, and maintenance-related conditions that will cause deterioration of the property. Those items may be found under the city's Property Maintenance Code, 4-8-1.

17. How long does an inspection take?

Individual unit inspections are estimated to take between 10-20 minutes per unit. Depending on the size and complexity of the building, the annual fire inspection for multi-unit apartment complexes take about one to one-and-a-half hours per building.

18. Will I be fined if I have a code violation?

In most cases, a property owner/manager will be given a responsible opportunity to repair or remedy any code violations prior to sanctions being imposed.

19. How long will I have to fix any violations?

Time to remedy a violation will vary. If the issue is a life safety issue, you may be required to fix the violation immediately. If it is a minor issue, you may be given up to 30 days.

20. Can I repair a known issue before an inspection?

Property owners/managers are encouraged to repair as many known or potential code violations as possible prior to inspection.

21. Will I have to pay for subsequent inspections if I have code violations?

If a building or rental unit does not pass an initial inspection, the City will provide a deadline to complete any needed work and come back for a follow-up inspection at no charge. However, if work is not complete a the time of the follow-up, all subsequent inspections will be charged at a rate of $185 per unit, per inspection.

22. What happens after I submit my rental license application and fee?

After a rental license application and fee is submitted, the City will contact the property owner, or the designated person responsible for the building's maintenance, to arrange an initial inspection of the rental property. Once the inspection has been made, and if no violations are found, the City will issue the rental license.

If violations are found, the property owner or designee will receive a detailed inspection report highlighting the code violations. The letter will also indicate a time frame for the items to be remedied or repaired. The property owner or designee must correct the violations and schedule a re-inspection of the rental property within the time frame specified. Once all violations are properly corrected, the City will issue the rental dwelling license.

23. What if I don't remedy my violations by the time specified?

Unless extraneous circumstances exist and an extension has been granted, failure to remedy or repair code violations could result in fines or the rental license being revoked or suspended.

24. Is mandatory training required for rental licenses?

Yes. The Burnsville Police Department holds manager-specific training once a year. The training includes information from Burnsville's Building Inspections and Fire departments. The training is free and managers must attend, at minimum, once every three years.

25. Will I be required to complete any Minnesota Crime Free Multi-Housing training?

No. The Burnsville Police Department training is tailored to be Burnsville specific.

26. Who do I contact with questions about the rental licensing ordinance?

If you have any questions regarding the rental licensing ordinance, contact Licensing and Code Enforcement at 952-895-4440.