Single Family Rental Moratorium Approved

On Aug 22, the City Council approved Ordinance 1678. Ordinance 1678 places a moratorium on the receipt, processing, or approval of any new rental license for single-family residential structures. As an Interim ordinance, this ordinance will be in effect for 12 months after its passage and can only be extended with further action by the City Council described in state statute section 462.355. This ordinance does not apply to (a) any complete rental license application submitted to the City on or before August 22, 2022; (b) any application for renewal of an existing rental license; (c) any application already approved or in the process of approval by the City. The City Council brought forth this action due to its concern that the overall number of rental properties in the City has increased at an unsustainable rate, making it increasingly difficult for potential home buyers wishing to purchase property in the City to identify financially attainable options. This moratorium will provide staff time and space to conduct a variety of studies concerning the current state of the City’s rental stock and to provide the council with possible solutions. If you have any questions about the moratorium, feel free to reach out to the community development department at 763-706-3670. Copies of the entire text of the ordinance are available for public inspection during regular office hours at City Hall, by standard or electronic mail, or at www.columbiaheightsmn.gov.
9-7-2022