Eagan council affirms staff interpretation: twin-home units must each hold a rental license; attorney to prepare findings

The Eagan City Council on May 19 directed the city attorney to prepare findings to affirm staff’s interpretation that two twin-home units at 4468 and 4470 Cinnamon Ridge Circle each require separate rental licenses under city code chapter 6.5.

City attorney Tom (addressed as Tom during the meeting) and staff explained that the ordinance defines a "multiple rental dwelling" as four or more contiguously attached single-household dwelling units owned by the same person. Because the twin home units have separate PINs and are not four-or-more-unit multifamily structures, staff and the attorney advised that each unit fits the single-rental-dwelling definition and therefore requires a separate single rental license. Staff also noted the current fee schedule for rental licenses: a single rental license is $165; the multiple-license rate is $210 per building plus $20 per unit, and the fee schedule itself was not before council tonight.

The appellant, who identified herself as Zoe Z, a real estate broker and owner of units in Eagan, argued the ordinance’s plain text defines single dwelling units to include detached, duplex and triplex units owned by the same owner, and she said staff’s interpretation produces "irrational" fee outcomes for duplex and triplex owners. "If that's what your intention, you should change the ordinance," Zoe said, urging the council to revise policy rather than apply staff’s current reading.

Council members questioned whether common ownership should alter licensing treatment, but several members said the ordinance as written and the staff application are consistent with council intent. Councilman Field moved to direct the city attorney’s office to prepare findings affirming staff’s decision; Councilman Rebaca seconded. The motion was approved by voice vote and the mayor announced the motion passes. The city attorney will prepare written findings to be presented at the council’s next regular meeting.

Council members discussed possible future ordinance refinements—such as placing a cap on cumulative single-dwelling fees for closely related parcels—but did not act on any revision tonight.

The hearing record shows the initial registration at 4470 occurred in 2015 and the licensing interactions relevant to this appeal began on May 7, 2025; staff said a deed consolidating ownership of the two PINs into a single LLC occurred the week prior to the hearing and staff advised the ownership change during the application process did not change the legal interpretation for licensing.