Ordinance 92 replaced section 405 of the city code with a rental premises ordinance. Its stated purpose is that rental housing be "decent, safe and ... operated and maintained so as not to become a nuisance to the neighborhood." The licensing requirement has been on the books since 1994; the council's own records show it was not consistently enforced until the current administration, so owners who have never been asked to license should expect to be.
The license
- Required for every rental property. $30 per property plus $10 per unit over one, capped at $100 per property.
- Expires on the third June 30 after issuance; renew every three years.
- The application requires the owner's physical address (no P.O. boxes), date of birth and phone; the names of partners or officers if the owner is an entity; and a local manager, caretaker or designated agent with a business address.
- The owner signs an acknowledgment that they have read Ordinance 92 and will operate under it "subject to applicable criminal penalties."
Disorderly use
The ordinance lists twenty-eight categories of "disorderly use," from drug activity and violence to noise violations under code section 600, gambling, underage drinking, theft, damage to property and interfering with 911 calls. After the police document an incident the city notifies the owner, who must take "appropriate action," meaning what a reasonable landlord would do to prevent a recurrence. Repeated incidents within a set period can lead to license suspension or revocation after a hearing.
Background checks
Section 405.39 allows owners to request tenant background investigations through the police department.
Related rules for landlords
- Garbage service is mandatory and billed on the KMU utility bill; the cart stays with the property.
- Utility accounts require an application in person with ID and a deposit; owners may keep the account in their own name.
- Multi-family storm sewer fee is $7.50 per unit per month; sewer base rates rise with service-line size.
- Roseview Apartments (421 4th St) and other SEMMCHRA-assisted buildings are managed by Life Style Inc., 507-789-5342.
Sources: Ordinance 92; Application for Rental Property License; Resolution 2026-01; council record 2019–2026 on rental licensing.
Questions
Do landlords need a license in Kenyon, MN?
Yes. Ordinance 92 requires a rental property license for every rented dwelling: $30 per property plus $10 per additional unit (maximum $100), renewed every three years. Apply at City Hall or email the form to info@cityofkenyon.gov.