The City of Clearwater has adopted City Code Chapter 8 outlining requirements governing rental housing within the corporate city limits. This program assists with city planning efforts and provides information on housing options available within the community. It also provides contact information for property owners, should the city need to contact them to address conditions at the property that impact the public’s health, safety, and general welfare.

Under the rental housing ordinance, rental property owners are required to register each residential rental property annually, no later than June 30 of each year or at least 30 days prior to the initial rental for any new rental property. A registration fee is required.

If you own property in the City of Clearwater and collect rent for either all or part of the property, you are required to register annually. Contract for Deed properties must be recorded with the County and a copy submitted to City Hall for property to be excluded from rental registration.

Exceptions to rental housing registration include:

• Hotels/motels
• Owner-occupied single-family dwellings
• Residential dwellings rented to at least one parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or spouse of the owner

To register your rental property, please complete the Rental Housing Registration Form and submit it with the required fee(s) to City Hall. Upon a complete application and determination of good standing, the city will issue a rental housing certificate for the rental property.

Annual inspections of the rental property are not required as a condition of registration. However, tenants may request an inspection at any time, pursuant to Minnesota statutes.

Please see City Code Chapter 8 for the full ordinance. See the city fee schedule for fee amounts.