Council advances proposal to temporarily extend pre-eviction notice from 30 to 60 days

The St. Paul City Council moved on March 4 to consider a temporary change that would lengthen the pre-eviction filing notice required for nonpayment of rent from 30 days to 60 days.

Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim, who introduced the measure under suspension of the rules, told the council that the extension is intended to give families ‘‘a meaningful buffer to access rental assistance, mutual aid, and legal support before a landlord can initiate the formal eviction proceedings.’’ She said the change would automatically sunset on Dec. 31, 2026.

Kim described recent local trends and resources: ‘‘In January alone, 501 evictions were filed in Ramsey County,’’ she said, and noted the council recently increased emergency rental assistance funding by $1,420,000. She emphasized the ordinance ‘‘is not an eviction moratorium. It does not cancel rent or change tenants’ legal obligations; it simply lengthens the notice period so people have more time to seek help.’’

Council members asked procedural questions about timing and applicability. One member noted the council had earlier adopted a 30-day pre-eviction requirement that takes effect May 14; staff clarified the 60-day temporary extension would replace the 30-day clock when the ordinance is adopted and signed by the mayor. Another member said the extension would apply only to nonpayment-of-rent evictions and would not affect notice periods for lease violations that threaten safety.

Councilmember (unnamed in the record) and others stressed the ordinance is intended to complement efforts to get rental assistance funds into residents’ hands faster. Councilmember Coleman said the priority remains ‘‘getting money out the door’’ and described the need to streamline aid distribution as part of the response to recent immigration enforcement activity and related economic impacts.

Because the measure was brought under suspension, the council treated it as a first reading and laid it over to March 11 for a second reading and public hearing. Staff signaled outreach to landlords and tenants will accompany the change to ensure awareness and implementation.

Next steps: The council will hold a public hearing and second reading of Ordinance 26-18 on March 11; the ordinance’s effective date will be after adoption and the mayor’s signature.