City of St. Paul Question 1 — Creating Chapter 34A of the Saint Paul Legislative Code (Ramsey County)

What it does

Should the City adopt the proposed Ordinance pertaining to a tenants right to repair? The ordinance would allow tenants to make repairs to their building after written notice to the landlord and deduct an amount not exceeding $500 or one-half months rent to pay for the repair. A "Yes" vote amends the City of Saint Paul's Legislative Code to adopt the Proposed Ordinance pertaining to a tenant's right to repair. A "No" vote will result in no changes to the City's Legislative Code.

A YES vote means

St. Paul would adopt a tenant right-to-repair ordinance letting tenants, after written notice to the landlord, make repairs and deduct up to $500 or half a month's rent to pay for them.

A NO vote means

St. Paul's Legislative Code would not change.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Left

YESNO

Right

A YES vote leans strongly left; a NO vote leans the other way (AI-estimated from the official ballot summary, 76% confidence).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

This citizen-initiated ordinance would create Chapter 34A of the Saint Paul Legislative Code. According to the city, it would let tenants make repairs of up to $500 or one-half month's rent after notifying their landlord.

The City Council voted 5-2 not to place the question on the ballot. Council Vice President Yang and Councilmember Kim voted to place it; Council President Noecker and Councilmembers Johnson, Jost, Coleman and Bowie voted against.

The city says the council acted on legal concerns that the ordinance would regulate Building Code provisions set by the state.

Ballotpedia reports that petitioners Safe Homes St. Paul submitted 5,440 valid signatures, and that a Ramsey County judge ruled on Aug. 10, 2026 that the measure must appear on the November ballot. It also reports the Minnesota Supreme Court declined to block it and said the city's appeal belonged in the Court of Appeals.

Put on the ballot by Citizen petition (Safe Homes St. Paul); placed on the ballot by Ramsey County District Court order after the City Council voted 5-2 against placing it.

From official source.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of St. Paul Question 1 mean?

St. Paul would adopt a tenant right-to-repair ordinance letting tenants, after written notice to the landlord, make repairs and deduct up to $500 or half a month's rent to pay for them.

What does a NO vote on City of St. Paul Question 1 mean?

St. Paul's Legislative Code would not change.

How many votes does City of St. Paul Question 1 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of St. Paul Question 1?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.