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Blackduck holds first reading of ordinance tightening rental-licensing rules
Summary
The Blackduck City Council completed a first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 11 to add registration, minimum standards, inspection authority and penalties for rental units; staff said final approval is scheduled for the August council meeting.
The Blackduck City Council completed the first reading of an ordinance that would revise Chapter 11 of the city code to add new registration requirements, minimum habitability standards and inspection authority for rental units.
Under the draft ordinance read into the record at the work session, owners or their designated local property managers must file initial registration and renewal forms with Blackduck City Hall before offering a unit for lease. The language specifies required contact information for owners and local managers, establishes basic unit standards (kitchen sink, toilet, bathtub or shower, hot and cold water connections) and requires two independent exits for each rental unit in keeping with state building-code dimensions. The draft also authorizes inspections by the city building official, fire department personnel, police officers and the public works director or their designees.
The ordinance text also defines disorderly conduct and lists unlawful activities (including certain nuisance, noise, drug- and weapons-related offenses) and provides penalties: upon conviction a person may be fined up to $700 and/or imprisoned for up to 90 days, with each day a continuing violation. The reading clarified that registration does not in itself constitute code compliance.
A council member who spoke during the meeting framed the change as updating rules for contemporary rental management while noting the town’s historical practice of people living above stores: “This town was built on people living above the store,” the council member said, arguing that allowing lawful, registered occupancy above businesses serves the community. City staff told councilors the ordinance will return for final consideration at the August meeting, when council will vote on adoption or further amendments.
Councilors requested that staff prepare a clear summary of required owner responsibilities and the city’s inspection process before the final vote. The ordinance text read at the work session contains the full proposed changes and will be posted with the August agenda for public review.
