MAINTENANCE BY OWNER

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

in effect

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.490 Compliance required.

244.490. - Compliance required. No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let or allow another to occupy any building or other structure or portion thereof, for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the requirements set forth in this article. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.010)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.495 Defacement of property.

244.495. - Defacement of property. (a) No person shall willfully or wantonly damage, mutilate or deface any exterior surface of any structure or building on any private or public property by placing thereon any marking, carving, or graffiti. (b) It shall be the responsibility of the owner to restore said surface to an approved professional state of maintenance and repair. (c) The parent or guardian of the person of a minor, who is under the age of eighteen (18) that is living with the parent or guardian, and which minor violates the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section in regard to any property in the city, is liable for the payment of a civil fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each offense based on the conduct of such minor. The civil fine provided for in this subparagraph is in addition to and not in lieu of any compensatory or other liability which may exist at law, by statute or pursuant to ordinance. (82-Or-106, § 15, 6-11-82; 2000-Or-076, § 1, 7-28-00)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.500 Foundations, roofs, exterior walls and surfaces.

244.500. - Foundations, roofs, exterior walls and surfaces. (a) All exterior surfaces shall be of a material manufactured or processed specifically for use in such a weather-exposed location, including redwood and other naturally suitable materials, and every exterior wall, chimney, foundation and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof; and shall be kept in a professional state of maintenance and repair. Exterior walls shall be maintained and kept free from dilapidation by cracks, tears or breaks or from deteriorated plaster, stucco, brick, wood or other material that is extensive and gives evidence of long neglect. Exterior surfaces and surface coverings, such as but not limited to wood, cellulose insulation, and paper, paint, and other wall coverings, including paper-faced gypsum board, shall have no signs of visible mold growth or chronic or persistent excessive dampness or moisture. (b) The protective surface on exterior walls of a building above ground level shall be maintained in good repair so as to provide a sufficient covering and protection of the structural surface underneath against its deterioration. Without limiting the generality of this section, a protective surface of a building shall be deemed to be out of repair if: (1) The protective surface has paint which is blistered, cracked, flaked, scaled or chalked away, including window trim, cornice members, porch railings and other such areas. (2) The pointing of any chimney or the pointing of any brick or stone wall is loose or has fallen out. (c) Any exterior surface or plane required to be repaired under the provisions of this section shall be repaired in its entirety. (d) No exterior wall of any dwelling or building accessory thereto shall have paint which is blistered, cracked, flaked, scaled or chalked away. (e) No person shall apply any paint on the exterior surface of any dwelling or building accessory thereto unless such paint contains less than 0.06 percent lead. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.020; 78-Or-244, § 18, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, §§ 2, 16, 6-11-82; 89-Or-151, § 1, 8-11-89; 94-Or-087, § 2, 7-1-94; Ord. No. 2023-045, § 1, 6-15-23)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.510 Interior.

244.510. - Interior. (a) Every interior partition, wall, floor, door, window, trim surface, radiator and ceiling shall be kept in a professional state of repair. In other than owner-occupied dwellings such interior partitions, walls and ceilings shall be provided with an interior finish material specifically manufactured for, and intended to be used as, an interior finished surface. Walls, floors and ceilings that are required to be fire rated by new construction regulations shall be maintained and repaired to prevent a lowering of the resistance to fire or the spread of fire. In addition, maintenance and repairs to walls, floors and ceilings separating dwelling units, or dwelling units from public corridors or stairways shall be done in a manner which will not reduce the sound transmission class of such walls, floors or ceilings. Dwelling unit doors leading to communal, shared or public areas, when replaced, shall be replaced with an approved solid core door not less than one and three-eighths (1 ⅜ ) inches in thickness. For the purposes of this section, professional state of repair shall apply to the repair and application of interior finishes. Interior finishes shall meet the flame spread classification set forth in Chapter 42 of the Building Code when such interior finishes are hereafter altered, refinished, repaired or replaced. Bathroom and toilet room floor surfaces shall be reasonably impervious to moisture. (b) No person shall apply any paint on the interior surface of any dwelling or dwelling unit, unless such paint contains less than 0.06 percent lead. (c) No interior wall of any dwelling or building accessory thereto shall have paint which is blistered, cracked, flaked, scaled or chalked away. (d) Interior surfaces and surface coverings, such as but not limited to carpet, wood, cellulose insulation, and paper, paint, and other wall coverings, including paper-faced gypsum board, shall have no signs of visible mold growth or chronic or persistent excessive dampness or moisture. Building material that is discolored or deteriorated by mold or mildew or causes a moldy or earthy odor shall be cleaned, dried, and repaired. Structurally unsound material shall be removed and replaced. The underlying cause of excessive dampness or moisture, or moldy or earthy odor, shall be investigated and corrected. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.030; Ord. of 6-13-75, § 1; 78-Or-244, § 19, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, §§ 2, 17, 6-11-82; 89-Or-151, § 1, 8-11-89; 94-Or-087, § 3, 7-1-94; Ord. No. 2023-045, § 2, 6-15-23)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.520 Rainwater drainage.

244.520. - Rainwater drainage. The building's drainage system, such as footing or foundation drains, gutters, downspouts, rainwater collection containers, or other elements, shall direct water away from the structure. All rainwater shall be so drained and conveyed from every roof so as not to cause dampness in the walls, ceilings, or floors of any portion of the dwelling or of any adjacent building or structure. Gutters and downspouts, if provided, shall be kept in a professional state of repair and in compliance with the provisions of Section 244.500. Premises shall be graded and maintained to prevent the erosion of soil and to prevent the accumulation of water on the premises, within a crawlspace, or within the structure. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.040; 78-Or-244, § 20, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, § 2, 6-11-82; 90-Or-174, § 1, 6-29-90; Ord. No. 2023-045, § 3, 6-15-23)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.530 Windows, exterior doors, hatchways.

244.530. - Windows, exterior doors, hatchways. Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof; and shall be kept in a professional state of maintenance and repair. Every exterior window or door of habitable rooms, bath and toilet rooms shall be supplied with a storm window or storm door or the equivalent for ventilation, light and insulation. Unless otherwise provided for by written agreement, the owner or operator shall install such storm windows and storm doors not later than November first of each year. Such written agreements shall be applicable only to one- and two-family dwellings. All exterior doors of dwellings, except those which are required to be outswinging based on occupant load, shall be provided with a storm door unless the principal door has an "R" value of two (2) or more. The following energy conservation measures are required: (1) Install weatherstripping between exterior operable window sash and frames and between exterior doors and frames. Exception: Weatherstripping not required on storm doors or storm windows. (2) Caulk, gasket or otherwise seal exterior joints between foundation and rim joist, around window and door frames, between wall and roof, between wall panels, at penetrations for utility services through walls, floors, and roofs and all other openings in the exterior envelope. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.050; 78-Or-222, § 1, 10-27-78; 80-Or-051, § 1, 4-11-80; 82-Or-106, § 2, 6-11-82; 83-Or-109, § 2, 5-13-83; 83-Or-273, § 1, 11-10-83; 85-Or-056, § 1, 3-8-85)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.540 Shades, drapes.

244.540. - Shades, drapes. Every window of every room let to another for sleeping purposes and the windows of bath and toilet rooms used in conjunction with such sleeping rooms shall be supplied with shades, draw drapes, or other devices or materials which when properly used will afford privacy to the occupant of the room. However, upon written agreement of the owner and the occupant, separate from other lease agreement, said shades, drapes or devices need not be provided. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.055; Ord. of 8-10-73, § 1; 82-Or-106, § 18, 6-11-82)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.550 Stairways and porches.

244.550. - Stairways and porches. (a) [Construction and maintenance generally; live load.] Every inside and all outside stairways, every porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon; and shall be kept in a professional state of maintenance and repair. Normal use live load shall be the uniform load as set out in the state building code, one hundred (100) pounds per square foot. (b) [Handrails.] Every inside and all outside stairways that have four (4) or more risers shall have at least one (1) handrail, and all such stairways which are forty-four (44) inches or more in width, or which are open on both sides, shall have a handrail on each side. If a stairway is open on one (1) side, the required handrail shall be placed on the open side, when required by the director of regulatory services. Stairways required to be more than eighty-eight (88) inches in width shall be provided with an intermediate handrail. However, only one (1) handrail shall be required when such an outside stairway serves a one- or two-family dwelling and the stairway is not more than forty-two (42) inches above the adjacent surface. All handrails shall be not less than thirty (30) inches nor more than thirty-four (34) inches vertically above the nose of the stair treads or stairway platforms. (c) Exception. Outside stairways attached to owner-occupied single-family dwellings are exempt from the handrail requirements of this section unless such outside stairways are more than forty-two (42) inches above the adjacent surface or are remodeled pursuant to a permit as required by Chapter 89 of this Code of Ordinances. (d) [To be kept clean of snow, etc.] Required means of egress that are exposed to the elements shall be kept clear at all times of rubbish, snow, ice or other obstructions when such egress serves a multiple dwelling. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.060; 78-Or-244, § 21, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, §§ 2, 19, 6-11-82; 2009-Or-093, § 1, 9-18-09; 2013-Or-161, § 19, 12-6-13)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.555 Guardrails.

244.555. - Guardrails. All accessible doorways, unenclosed floor and roof openings, open stairs, porches, balconies, walkways and landings which are more than thirty (30) inches above grade or the surface below shall be protected by an approved guardrail. The guardrail shall be not less than thirty-six (36) inches in height and, when in the opinion of the director of regulatory services, it is necessary to protect the public safety, intermediate rails, balusters, or other approved members shall be provided so that no object nine (9) inches in diameter can pass through the guardrails. New installations or replacements of guardrails shall be in compliance with the state building code. (78-Or-244, § 22, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, § 20, 6-11-82; 2013-Or-161, § 20, 12-6-13)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.560 Plumbing fixtures.

244.560. - Plumbing fixtures. Every supplied plumbing fixture and all water and waste pipes shall be installed in a nonhazardous manner and maintained free from defects, leaks or obstructions. Water closets shall be provided with seats which can be maintained in a sanitary condition. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.070; 78-Or-244, § 23, 11-22-78)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.570 Bathroom and toilet floors.

244.570. - Bathroom and toilet floors. Every toilet room floor and bathroom floor shall be so constructed and maintained as to be reasonably impervious to moisture and all such floor and floor coverings shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.080; 78-Or-244, § 24, 11-22-78)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.580 Supplied facilities.

244.580. - Supplied facilities. Prior to leasing, the owner shall notify the tenant in writing of any metered utility service paid exclusively by said tenant which serves any area not leased and controlled by the tenant. Such notification shall be in a type size as large as elite, twelve (12) characters per inch. Every supplied facility, piece of equipment, or utility which is required under the housing maintenance code shall be so constructed and installed that it will function safely and effectively, and shall be kept in a professional state of maintenance and repair. Appliances used for cooking, air conditioning or refrigeration, when supplied by the lessor, shall be installed and maintained so they will function safely and effectively. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.090; Ord. of 2-22-74, § 1; 78-Or-244, § 25, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, §§ 2, 21, 6-11-82)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.590 Discontinuance of required services.

244.590. - Discontinuance of required services. (a) No owner or operator shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required to be supplied under the housing maintenance code to be removed, shut off, or discontinued in any occupied rooming unit, hotel unit, dwelling or dwelling unit let or occupied by said owner, or operator, except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs, replacements or alterations are in process of being made. (b) An administrative fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be charged to the bill payer of a property where water services have been shut off for a period of forty-eight (48) hours. An additional one hundred dollars ($100.00) administrative fee shall be charged to the bill payer of a property where the property is placarded with a letter of intent to condemned for lack of utilities resulting from the water services being shut off. (c) Administrative fees charged for water shut off shall be added to the property's utility services bill as set forth in section 505.60. Utility companies supplying service through a single meter to equipment or facilities that are required by the housing maintenance code shall post, on or near the front and rear entrances of a multiple dwelling or duplex containing such equipment or facilities, a notice of delinquency in payment of utility bills after the utility bills are sixty (60) days in arrears, or a notice of intent to discontinue such service not less than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the actual discontinuance of the service. Notice of delinquency shall inform tenants of their right to make rent payments directly to the utility company. When the discontinuance of the service is done by said utility, they shall notify the director of regulatory service's authorized designee, either by mail, phone, or hand delivery within forty-eight (48) hours after the discontinuance of the service. After a utility company has posted a notice of delinquency, the tenants in the building may pay any rents owing to the owner or operator of the building directly to the utility company. The utility company shall make available to any requesting tenant or tenant's representative the utility account of the multiple dwelling or duplex housing which has been posted pursuant to this article. Any such payment shall be considered a reduction of rent owed by the tenant and a reduction of the utility bill owed by the owner or operator of the building. A utility company shall not discontinue service for delinquency if it has received payments from the tenants sufficient to: (1) Cover one hundred (100) percent of the current bill and one-third (1/3) of the past-due bill within thirty (30) days after posting the original notice. (2) Cover one hundred (100) percent of the current bill and two-thirds (2/3) of the past-due bill within sixty (60) days after posting the original notice. (3) Cover one hundred (100) percent of the current bill and one hundred (100) percent of the past-due bill within ninety (90) days after posting the original notice. The utility company may discontinue service without further notice if it has not received the payments specified above. No person shall deface or remove any notice posted by a utility company pursuant to this section. Such notice shall be removed only by the utility company which posted the notice or with its consent. For the purposes of this section only, the term "utility company" shall include the water and sewer department of the City of Minneapolis. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.100; Ord. of 5-10-74, § 1; 78-Or-144, § 1, 8-11-78; 81-Or-304, § 1, 12-28-81; Pet. No. 252271, § 16, 5-11-90; 91-Or-144, § 1, 7-26-91; 2006-Or-136, § 1, 11-17-06; 2013-Or-161, § 21, 12-6-13; Ord. No. 2023-025 § 1, 4-27-23; Ord. No. 2025-013, § 1, 2-27-2025)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.600 Pest extermination.

244.600. - Pest extermination. Every owner of a dwelling containing two (2) or more dwelling units shall be responsible for the extermination of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests on the premises. Whenever infestation exists in any dwelling, or in the shared or public parts of any building containing two (2) or more dwelling units, extermination thereof shall be the responsibility of the owner. The director of regulatory services may order the extermination done by a person licensed to do such work by the provisions of Chapter 325 when in the director's opinion the infestation is widespread and severe. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.110; 2008-Or-024, § 2, 4-4-08; 2013-Or-161, § 22, 12-6-13)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.610 Cleanliness of public areas.

244.610. - Cleanliness of public areas. Every owner of a dwelling containing three (3) or more dwelling units shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition the communal, shared or public areas of the dwelling and premises thereof. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.120; 78-Or-244, § 26, 11-22-78)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.620 Vacant dwelling units.

244.620. - Vacant dwelling units. No owner shall occupy or permit any other person to occupy any vacant dwelling unit, rooming unit or hotel unit, unless it is clean, sanitary and complies with all provisions of the housing maintenance code. The owner of any dwelling shall be responsible for the removal of all garbage, rubbish and other discarded debris left on the premises where the dwelling unit is vacant. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.130)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.630 Hanging of screens.

244.630. - Hanging of screens. Every owner of a dwelling let to another shall be responsible for hanging all screens whenever the same are required under the provisions of this code. Screens shall be hung not later than the first day of May of each year. This provision shall not preclude the owner and tenant from agreeing by written contract to have said tenant hang the screens as required above for other than multiple dwellings. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the owner from engaging a tenant, caretaker or any person from hanging the screens for remuneration. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.140; 78-Or-244, § 27, 11-22-78)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.640 Prohibited uses.

244.640. - Prohibited uses. No person shall use or permit the use of any dwelling or any building or any lot or premises in a residence or multiple-dwelling district as defined in the zoning ordinance for any use not permitted by said zoning ordinance. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.150)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.650 Numbering units.

244.650. - Numbering units. All habitable units let to another in a multiple dwelling shall be numbered or lettered in an approved and conspicuous manner on each passage door leading from such unit. All passage doors from each unit shall have the same number or letter and no two (2) units shall bear the same number or letter. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.180; 78-Or-244, § 28, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, § 22, 6-11-82)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.655 Mailboxes.

244.655. - Mailboxes. Every owner shall provide a suitable mail deposit box for each rental unit. Such mail deposit box shall be approved by the United States Postal Service. (82-Or-106, § 23, 6-11-82)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.660 Changing or altering locks.

244.660. - Changing or altering locks. No person shall change or alter any keyed lock, or place such a new lock on the entrance of a dwelling unit without first providing the tenant or owner of that dwelling unit with a suitable functional key to operate such a lock. A tenant shall obtain permission of the owner, in writing, before installing permanent locks. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.190; Ord. of 3-27-75, § 1; 78-Or-244, § 29, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, § 24, 6-11-82)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.670 Doorbells or buzzers.

244.670. - Doorbells or buzzers. Every multiple dwelling of four (4) or more dwelling units or ten (10) or more rooming units shall be equipped with an operable system of bells, buzzers or other signaling devices which operate from the exterior of a locked entryway and signal either within each dwelling unit and rooming unit or in the hallway or common area of each floor of the building. (82-Or-002, § 1, 1-15-82; 82-Or-106, § 25, 6-11-82; 86-Or-024, § 1, 2-14-86)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.675 Secured egress and ingress to be provided for certain multiple dwellings.

244.675. - Secured egress and ingress to be provided for certain multiple dwellings. All multiple dwellings containing four (4) or more dwelling units or ten (10) or more rooming units existing now or hereafter created shall provide the following security measures: all doorways leading to the exterior or to an exterior vestibule or entry must be secured by a locking device approved by the director of regulatory services. The locking devices provided for required egress doorways shall be of a type that will engage and lock automatically when the door is in the closed position within the frame provided. Further, locks on such required egress doors shall be openable from the exterior by the use of a key or other approved device. All doors, whether required egress doors or auxiliary, shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort. All locking devices required by this section shall be kept in a professional state of maintenance and repair. The security locks and devices required by this section shall be provided not later than January 1, 1987. However, when, in the opinion of the director of regulatory services, conditions exist which warrant the installation of said security devices and locks within a shorter time period than previously set out, the director shall be empowered to order and secure the installation of such security and locking devices within a reasonable time period. (86-Or-024, § 2, 2-14-86; 2013-Or-161, § 23, 12-6-13)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.680 Reserved.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.685 Reserved.

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_ARTVIMAOWFetched: 11/2/2026