Rental Registration

The City of Sioux Falls requires rental registration to ultimately protect citizens by providing a path of communication if issues come up.

Any building or structure, including the land it's on, that is offered as a place to live is considered a residential rental unit. This does include properties rented for 28 consecutive days or less (short-term rentals). However, this does not include owner-occupied, on-campus housing, hospitals nursing home, hotels or motels.

Prior to any advertisement, soliciting, or occupancy by renter of a unit the property needs to have a residential rental permit issued for it. Any failure to disclose accurate information known to the applicant or if the property had three code violations resulting in citations within the last three years shall be cause for denial of the application. Any change in information on an application needs to be done in writing within 30 calendar days.

Permit supporting information (required):

1. Name, mailing address, and phone number of the property owner;
2. If owner resides more than 50 miles from Sioux Falls, a separate contact (same information as #1) who does live within 50 miles and is able to provide or approve property upkeep;
3. Address of rental unit(s);
4. Number and type of units (Examples; duplex. 3 sleeping rooms, a single family house, etc.);
5. Verify that the owner of responsible party has not been in violation in the previous three calendar years and failed to make the required corrections.

Permit revocation can happen if four code violations resulting in citation and fines occur within four consecutive calendar years (excluding snow tickets and tree tickets). If a permit is revoked the city will notice and provide a reasonable opportunity for the owner to correct the code issue. Appeals go through an independent hearing examiner process after written notice of appeal is provided within 15 days of decision to revoke the rental permit (a $50 processing fee is applicable, see 30.40 (b) for details on what needs to be included in the appeal request). Once revoked, a renewal permit will only be issued once all code violations have been corrected and approved by city inspection and all citations have been paid.

Property defects in violation of city ordinances may lead to a revoke or suspension of a rental permit. The city may also seek to not allow a property to be operated as a residential unit through other legal means.

Transferring a permit to another owner of contact person shall be done by written notice for the new name and address within 30 days of the change.

Just because a permit for residential rental is issued does not provide approval to any violations or issues that may be active at the time of permitting.