Rental Licensing Program

The City of Champlin has a rental licensing and inspections program to ensure that rental property doesn't become a blight on neighborhoods. Poorly maintained or poorly managed rental property can be a disincentive for homeowners to reinvest in their properties. Owning and operating rental housing is a business and the City requires owners of rental property to secure a license to operate that business. As a part of the license requirement, an inspection is done to ensure the property is safe, secure and sanitary not only for the tenant but for the community.

All residential rental property in Champlin is required to be licensed annually and inspected on a regular schedule. The Code Enforcement Officer licenses and inspects rental properties in the Community. For more information or questions contact Rebecca McMahon.

Rental Density Cap Ordinance

On June 27, 2022, the Champlin City Council adopted a rental density ordinance stating in any R-1, R-2, R-3, or R-4 Zoning district, no more than 10% of single-family lots on any block shall be eligible to obtain a rental license. The ordinance became effective on July 5, 2022. Highlights of the ordinance include:

• Before applying for a rental license, please see the single-family rental density ordinance map updated on August 19, 2023 to see if the block group is eligible.  

• If the number of rental properties exceeds the permitted number of rental properties per a defined block on the effective date of the ordinance, no additional rental licenses shall be approved for the subject block unless a temporary license is granted by the City Council.
• Existing rental licenses may be renewed; however, should a rental license not be renewed, terminated due to the sale of a property by the current license holder, transfer of property ownership occurs, or if the rental license is revoked or lapses, a new rental license shall not be issued unless it is in conformance with the ordinance language and other applicable sections of the city code.

Online Payments

The City is now accepting online rental license applications and online payments.

• Single Family Dwelling (SFD) - $110 
• SFD license conversion to rental -$250 (includes license fee) 
  • Conversion Fee Ordinance
• DUPLEX - $160 
• TRI-PLEX - $180 
• 4-PLEX - $200 
• Apartment (5 units or more) - $100 per building fee & $15 per unit 

Crime Free Housing Training

All property owners or an agent for the property must complete a training. Certification proving completion of this course must be provided within one year of issuance of a new license. 

Property Maintenance Code

Property maintenance is guided by the Zoning Ordinance and the International Property Maintenance Code (IMPC). The IPMC regulates exterior property maintenance for all properties as well as interior maintenance for rental properties. The IMPC has certain section inserts specific to The City of Champlin which can be found in the IMPC section inserts.

Landlords & Tenants Booklet

The Minnesota State Attorney General has a booklet for landlords and tenants titled Landlord and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities. This booklet can be downloaded and printed at no charge.