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ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE V TO CHAPTER 29A OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE PROVIDING NOTICE TO TENANTS OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND PROTECTED RIGHTS UNDER STATE LAW AND CITY ORDINANCE.
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BY PRESIDENT TOMANEK AND COUNCILORS RANDORF AND NEPHEW:
The city of Duluth does ordain:
Section 1. That Article V be added to Chapter 29A of the Duluth City Code as follows:
Article V. Notice and posting for safe and dignified rental housing.
Sec. 29A-47. Findings of fact and statement of purpose.
(a) The council recognizes that access to safe and dignified housing is a fundamental need and right for all residents. Tenants are often unaware of local programs and legal protections, leading to housing instability, confusion, and inequitable treatment. The city has a range of resources to support tenants and ensure that rental housing meets standards for health, safety, and habitability.
(b) Providing tenants with clear and accessible information about their legal protections fosters transparency, accountability, and community well-being.
(c) This Article shall apply to all units enumerated in Section 29A-2 of this Chapter which are rented or held out for rent to another.
Sec. 29A-48. Notice of existing resources required in lease agreement and posting requirements.
(a) The owner of any residential rental property which is required to be licensed by this chapter, shall include in the lease, whether written or oral, or as an addendum to the lease, the following information in writing:
1. A summary of tenant rights protected by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 504B, or its successor, and city ordinance;
2. Contact information for the city of Duluth Life Safety Division; and
3. Contact Information for One Roof Community Housing Tenant Landlord Connection (TLC).
(b) Posting Requirements.
1. The owner of any residential multi-family rental property consisting of five or more units which is required to be licensed by this chapter, shall post, in a publicly accessible and conspicuous location on the rental property (such as a common hallway, entrance area, or laundry room), a printed notice outlining tenant rights under state law and city ordinance;
2. Posting shall also include contact information for the city of Duluth Life Safety Division and One Roof Community Housing Tenant Landlord Connection or similar organization providing landlord/tenant education or dispute resolution services ; and
3. The summary of tenant rights and posting notices required under this section shall be substantially the same or similar to the summary of tenant rights and model posting that will be provided by the city of Duluth Life Safety Division.
Sec. 29A-49. Enforcement and penalties.
A The owner of any residential rental property which is required to be licensed by this chapter, or the owner’s agent, who violates this Article shall be punished by a fine in an amount not exceeding that set in accordance with section 31-8 of this Code. Tenants may report violations to the city’s Life Safety Division for investigation.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect on January 1, 2026.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this ordinance is to add a new Article V to Chapter 29A of the Duluth City Code requiring residential landlords to inform tenants of their rights under state law and local ordinances and to post tenant rights information in rental properties. Tenants are often unaware of local programs and legal protections, leading to housing instability, confusion, and inequitable treatment. The city has a range of resources to support tenants and ensure that rental housing meets standards for health, safety, and habitability. Providing tenants with clear and accessible information about their legal protections fosters transparency, accountability, and community well-being.