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Duluth adopts ordinance requiring landlords to provide tenants with rights and resource notices
Summary
The City Council adopted an ordinance adding notice requirements to Duluth City Code Chapter 29A to give tenants clear information about rights and local and state resources; councilors said the measure is the first step in a two-part package that will include strengthened licensing, inspections and enforcement measures.
The Duluth City Council on June 9 approved an ordinance adding Article 5 to Chapter 29A of the Duluth City Code to require landlords to provide tenants with notice of available resources and protected rights under Minnesota law and city ordinance.
Councilor Randolph, a principal author, said renters are often uncertain about protections and where to seek help and described the ordinance as a transparency measure that empowers tenants. "Renters are left in the dark, unsure of what protections they currently have, what standards landlords must meet, and where to turn when there's a problem," she said.
Councilors said the adopted notice requirement is the first step in a two-part package. Randolph and co-authors said a second ordinance will add rental licensing, inspections and enforcement changes including landlord education, shorter timelines for compliance, a tenant contact requirement during inspections and increased penalties for owners with multiple buildings. Councilor Nephew said the second ordinance would include escalated fines for larger property owners to target unresponsive landlords.
The council approved the tenant-notice ordinance on a unanimous vote, 9-0. Councilors who spoke in support noted input from the Duluth Tenants Union, tenant-landlord organizations, life-safety staff and other community stakeholders during the six-month drafting process.
Why it matters: Councilors characterized the notice ordinance as a foundational transparency step that will be followed by enforcement and licensing changes intended to protect renters and improve housing conditions. Supporters said good landlords have nothing to fear; the measures are aimed at unresponsive or unfit property owners.
