LIGHT, VENTILATION AND HEATING

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances tit. 12, ch. 244, art. V

in effect

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.400 Compliance required.

244.400. - Compliance required. No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let or allow another to occupy any building or structure for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the requirements set forth in this article. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 71.010)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.410 Light and ventilation.

244.410. - Light and ventilation. Habitable rooms shall be provided with natural light by means of windows or skylights with a glazed area of not less than eight (8) percent of the floor area of such rooms with a minimum of eight (8) square feet. All bathrooms, water closet compartments, and similar rooms shall be provided with natural ventilation by means of openable exterior openings with an area of not less than one-twentieth ( 1/20 ) of the floor area of such rooms with a minimum of one and one-half (1½) square feet. Not less than one-half (½) of the required window or skylight area shall be openable to provide natural ventilation. In lieu of openable windows for natural ventilation, a mechanical ventilation system may be provided. Such system shall be capable of providing two (2) air changes per hour in all habitable rooms. One-fifth (⅕) of the air supply shall be taken from the outside. In bathrooms, water closet compartments, and similar rooms, a mechanical ventilation system connected directly to the outside, capable of providing five (5) air changes per hour, shall be provided unless minimum natural ventilation is provided. Windows shall not be required in kitchens of dwelling units when such kitchen has an opening of at least twenty (20) square feet into an adjoining habitable room and when such kitchen is provided with an approved mechanical ventilation system. In addition, the window area of the adjoining habitable room referred to above shall be of sufficient size so as to provide for the light and ventilation requirements of the kitchen area as well as for said adjoining habitable room. For the purpose of determining light and ventilation requirements, any room may be considered as a portion of an adjoining room when one-half (½) of the area of the common wall is open and unobstructed and provides an opening of not less than one-tenth ( 1/10 ) of the floor area of the interior room or twenty-five (25) square feet, whichever is greater. Required windows shall open directly onto a street or public alley or a yard or court located on the same lot as the building. Such street, alley, court or yard shall be open and unobstructed for a distance equal to or greater than the required yard space of the dwelling. Exception: Required windows may open into a roofed porch where the porch: (1) Abuts a street, yard or court; and (2) Has a ceiling height of not less than seven (7) feet; and (3) Has the longer side at least sixty-five (65) percent open and unobstructed. Every sleeping room located below the fourth (4th) floor shall have at least one (1) window or exterior door approved for emergency exit or rescue. An emergency escape and rescue window installed prior to April 11, 1983 shall provide a minimum total glazed area of not less than five (5) square feet. In addition, a window opening (measured with the window open) providing a clear opening not less than twenty (20) inches in width and twenty-four (24) inches in height shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this section provided sill heights are not over forty-eight (48) inches above the floor. Windows installed on or after April 12, 1983 and any new window installations or replacements shall be in compliance with the state building code. Enforcement of this section shall be in compliance with Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division Policy INS-04 (2007) or the most recently-issued revision of that policy. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 71.020; 78-Or-244, § 12, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, § 14, 6-11-82; Pet. No. 252271, § 14, 5-11-90; 2008-Or-024, § 1, 4-4-08)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.420 Electric outlets and fixtures.

244.420. - Electric outlets and fixtures. In all existing dwellings now or hereafter supplied with electric service, every habitable room with one hundred twenty (120) square feet of floor space or less shall be provided with two (2) separate floor or wall type duplex electric convenience outlets, and an additional duplex electric convenience outlet shall be required for each additional eighty (80) square feet, or fraction thereof, of floor space. Required outlets shall, insofar as possible, be spaced equal distances apart. Kitchens and rooms with kitchen areas shall have one duplex electric convenience outlet in addition to the number herein required for other habitable rooms. One ceiling-type electric light fixture or one wall-type electric light fixture controlled by a remote switch may be supplied in lieu of one required electric convenience outlet in each habitable room. Every public hall, water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room and furnace room shall contain at least one supplied electric light fixture. All general use cellar or basement areas shall be provided with sufficient artificial light so as to provide one footcandle of light at all floor areas. All electric outlets and fixtures shall be installed, maintained and energized by a source of electric power in a manner complying with the city electrical code applicable now or at the time such outlets or fixtures were or are installed. The electric service and all wiring shall be maintained in good condition and used in a safe manner. All hazardous wiring and all disconnected, exposed wiring shall be removed. In addition to the aforegoing provisions applicable to existing dwellings, when a new electrical service is installed to service dwelling-type units, the following minimum standards shall apply: (1) One 15-amp branch circuit with balanced load for every five hundred seventy-five (575) square feet of habitable floor area shall be provided. (2) At least one duplex receptacle on a separate 20-amp kitchen appliance circuit shall be provided. (3) Where laundry facilities are provided, at least one duplex receptacle on a 20-amp circuit shall be provided to serve such laundry area. (4) The bath or toilet room of such dwelling units shall have at least one electrical convenience outlet installed. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 71.030; 78-Or-244, § 13, 11-22-78)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.430 Heating facilities.

244.430. - Heating facilities. The owner of every building containing habitable rooms shall provide heating facilities and shall be required to see that said heating facilities are properly installed, safely maintained and in good working condition, and that said facilities are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms located therein to a minimum temperature as established herein, measured at a distance of thirty-six (36) inches above floor level, and not closer than thirty-six (36) inches from any wall at all times when the outside temperature is at the design level or above. Between October first and April thirtieth the minimum temperature that the required heating facilities must be capable of safely and adequately maintaining shall be at least sixty-eight (68) degrees Fahrenheit and between May first and fifteenth and between September fifteenth and thirtieth the minimum temperature shall be at least sixty-five (65) degrees Fahrenheit. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 71.040; 78-Or-244, § 14, 11-22-78; 2008-Or-039, § 2, 5-16-08)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.435 Heating facilities performance inspection and energy audit required.

244.435. - Heating facilities performance inspection and energy audit required. (a) The owner of any dwelling or dwellings required to possess a rental dwelling, rooming house, or lodging establishment license shall obtain at the owner's expense, a heating facilities performance inspection from a city-licensed mechanical or gas contractor or a boiler operator licensed by the State of Minnesota. The inspection shall verify that any combustion fuel heating plant in excess of ten (10) years of age complies with the "Heating, Ventilation and Cooling Performance Safety Check" requirements published, maintained and made readily available by the director of regulatory services. In addition to any other requirements adopted by the director, it shall be required that combustion make up air with a properly functioning air trap be installed for all combustion water heaters and heating plants in compliance with standards established by the Minnesota Fuel Gas Code. Should the initial inspection indicate that the dwelling or dwellings fail to meet any standard required pursuant to this section, the owner shall take necessary remedial action to abate the deficiency and obtain a reinspection documenting compliance with all requirements. Proof of a satisfactory inspection occurring within the previous two (2) years shall be required upon the occurrence of the regularly-scheduled periodic rental licensing inspection for the property. If proof of a satisfactory inspection is not provided upon the occurrence of the regularly-scheduled periodic rental licensing inspection, the owner shall be ordered to provide such documentation or to obtain and submit proof of a satisfactory inspection within a reasonable timeframe, not less than thirty (30) days, as established by the director of regulatory services, and may not be deemed to have violated this section nor be subject to any penalties until the expiration of such time. The owner shall submit upon request to the director of regulatory services all applicable and necessary information documenting compliance with this section. This section shall not apply to any combustion fuel heating plant or boiler system already required to undergo periodic inspection by any agency of the State of Minnesota. (b) Whenever the director of regulatory services or a proper designee thereof issues a notice of violation to the owner or other natural person responsible for the maintenance of a single-family dwelling required to possess a rental dwelling license ordering the remedial repair of a condition enumerated in this subsection, the notice shall inform the recipient of the energy audit and blower door test requirements of this subsection. The owner of such a rental dwelling shall obtain at the owner's expense an energy audit including a blower door test and thermal (infrared) scan from a state-approved utility-administered conservation improvement program or from a home energy auditor otherwise recognized by the director of regulatory services. The inspection shall verify that the calculated house air leakage values are within levels established and adopted by the director. Should the initial blower test inspection indicate that the dwelling or dwellings fail to meet the standard adopted pursuant to this subsection, the owner shall take necessary remedial action in conformance with Minn. Statute Section 504B.161(1)(a)(3) to abate the deficiency and obtain a reinspection documenting compliance with all requirements. The audit, testing, measurements, and inspection and any required mitigation shall be completed in compliance with a protocol that shall be published, maintained and made readily available by the director. The owner shall submit to the director all applicable and necessary information documenting compliance with this subsection and shall, upon the request of any current or prospective tenant, provide a complete and accurate copy of any energy audit obtained pursuant to this subsection. After any qualifying dwelling establishes initial compliance with this subsection the director may not order any subsequent audit for a period of ten (10) years unless for good cause. This subsection shall not apply to condominium, cooperative or townhouse dwellings. The requirements of this subsection shall be triggered by any notice of violation duly and properly issued ordering the remedial repair of a violation of sections 244.520 or 244.530 involving: (1) Lack of weather stripping around windows or exterior doors; (2) Loose-fitting windows; (3) Water damaged surfaces that appear to be caused by loose-fitting windows or doors or holes or breaches in the foundation or roof; or (4) Lack of or loose-fitting storm windows or storm doors. (c) Effective date. This section shall become effective June 1, 2011. (2011-Or-023, § 1, 3-10-11; 2013-Or-161, § 18, 12-6-13)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.440 Exit illumination.

244.440. - Exit illumination. Exits in other than occupancy Group R-3 (one- and two-family dwellings) shall be adequately illuminated to grade, at any time the building is occupied so as not to endanger health or safety, with light having an intensity of not less than one footcandle at floor or grade level. In multiple dwellings containing not more than four (4) dwelling units or rooming units, there may be supplied convenient light switches controlling such a lighting system which may be turned on when needed. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 71.050; 78-Or-244, § 15, 11-22-78)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.450 Screens.

244.450. - Screens. Openable windows in each habitable room shall be supplied with a screen. Such screens shall have a mesh of not less than number fourteen (14) and shall be hung not later than May first of each year; provided, however, that such screens shall not be required in rooms located more than fifty (50) feet above ground level. Other such screening may be required by the director of inspections when deemed necessary for insect control or safety of persons. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 71.060; 78-Or-244, § 16, 11-22-78; Pet. No. 252271, § 15, 5-11-90; 2011-Or-108, § 2, 11-18-11)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.460 Supplied heating to habitable rooms or parts thereof.

244.460. - Supplied heating to habitable rooms or parts thereof. Every owner or operator of any building who rents, leases or lets for human habitation any habitable room contained within such building on terms, either expressed or implied, to supply or furnish heat to the occupants thereof, shall maintain a minimum temperature of sixty-eight (68) degrees Fahrenheit, measured in accordance with section 244.430, in all such habitable rooms and bath and toilet rooms let in conjunction therewith, at all times between October first and April thirtieth. At all times between May first and fifteenth and between September fifteenth and thirtieth the minimum temperature required to be made capable of maintaining pursuant to this section shall be sixty-five (65) degrees Fahrenheit. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 71.070; 78-Or-244, § 17, 11-22-78; 2008-Or-039, § 3, 5-16-08)

Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT12HO_CH244MACO_ARTVLIVEHEFetched: 11/2/2026