Title
Amending Section 193.04 of the Legislative Code (Title XIX) to temporarily extend the pre-eviction notice period in Section 193.04 from 30-days to 60-days.
Body
Section 1
WHEREAS, the City Council enacted ORD 25-31 on May 7, 2025, to create Chapter 193 of the Legislative Code (Title XIX) pertaining to Tenant Protections; and
WHEREAS, Section 193.04 of the Legislative Code requires landlords to provide a 30-day notice to tenants prior to commencing an eviction action for nonpayment of rent; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 193 of the Legislative Code (Title XIX) pertaining to Tenant Protections was originally enacted with a delayed effective date such that it will go into effect in the City of Saint Paul on May 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has been significantly impacted by the federal government’s campaign of mass deportation under “Operation Metro Surge”; and
WHEREAS, “Operation Metro Surge” has resulted in significant disruption to the City of Saint Paul, and significant fear by the population, resulting in employers closing, schools offering remote learning, and families unable to safely leave their homes; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has experienced significant and negative economic impacts as a result of “Operation Metro Surge”; and
WHEREAS, these economic impacts make it likely that many tenants will be unable to timely pay their rent and will need additional time to access emergency rental assistance resources and to redress the economic harm to their family; and
WHEREAS, these economic impacts are not limited to members of the immigrant community but are being felt broadly across the City of Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, a wave of evictions in the City of Saint Paul as a result of the harm inflicted by “Operation Metro Surge” would cause further economic harm, destabilize communities, and be detrimental to the public health, safety, and general welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Saint Paul determines that it is necessary and prudent to promptly put in place the notice requirements previously approved as Section 193.04; and
WHEREAS, in light of the economic impacts being felt by the City of Saint Paul and the importance of preventing further harm, the City Council of the City of Saint Paul determines that it is necessary and prudent to temporarily extend the pre-eviction notice period in Section 193.04 from 30-days to 60-days; and
WHEREAS, a temporary extension of the pre-eviction notice period for nonpayment rent cases to 60 days will serve the joint purposes of giving tenants additional time to obtain rental assistance and to facilitate the provision of such assistance to landlords to satisfy rental arrears and stabilize rental housing properties; and now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul does hereby ordain:
Section 2
Chapter 193.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended to read as follows
Sec. 193.04. Written Notice for Nonpayment of Rent
(a) Before bringing an eviction action alleging nonpayment of rent or other unpaid financial obligation in violation of the Rental Agreement, a landlord must provide written notice to the Tenant specifying the basis for future eviction action. The notice must include:
(1) the total amount due;
(2) a specific accounting of the amount of the total due from unpaid rent, late fees, and other charges under the Rental Agreement;
(3) the name and address of the person or online location authorized to receive rent and fees on behalf of the landlord;
(4) the following statement: “You have the right to seek legal help. If you can’t afford a lawyer, free legal help may be available. Contact Legal Aid or visit www.LawHelpMN.org <http://www.LawHelpMN.org> to know your rights and find your local Legal Aid office.”
(5) the following statement: “To apply for financial help, contact your local country or Tribal social services office, apply online at MNBenefits.mn.gov or call the United Way toll-free information line by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-543-7709.”; and
(6) the following statement: “Your landlord can file an eviction case if you do not pay the total amount due or move out within 30 days from the date of this notice.”
(b) The landlord or an agent of the landlord must deliver the notice personally or by first-class mail to the residential tenant at the address of the leased premises.
(c) If the residential tenant fails to correct the rent delinquency within 30 days of the delivery or mailing of the notice or fails to vacate, then the landlord may bring an eviction action under Minnesota State Section 504B.321 based on nonpayment of rent.
(d) The 30-day notice period identified in Section 193.04(a)(6) and 193.04(c) is temporarily increased from 30 days to 60 days from the time this Ordinance is enacted until December 31, 2026.
Section 3
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following its passage, approval and publication.