Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING1 § 9-2-5-12
DUAL EGRESS
Operative Text
All dwelling or rooming units in multiple-family dwellings, multiple-use dwellings, duplexes and rooming houses shall be provided with two (2) separate useable, unobstructed means of egress for each dwelling or dwelling unit. The exit facilities from such dwelling or rooming units shall lead to a public thoroughfare, either directly or through a court or yard and passage to such exits shall not lead through another dwelling or rooming unit or through a space that might be locked. (1997 Code)
Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING § 9-2-5-12 requires that every dwelling or rooming unit in multi-family buildings, multi-use buildings, duplexes, and rooming houses have two separate, usable, and unobstructed ways to exit the unit. Each exit path must lead to a public street or thoroughfare, either directly or by way of a court or yard, and no exit route may pass through another unit or through any space that could be locked. This rule is designed to ensure occupants can safely evacuate a unit without being blocked or forced through someone else's private space.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Colona § 9-2-5-12, compliant operators of multi-family dwellings, duplexes, and rooming houses maintain two distinct, clear exit routes from every dwelling or rooming unit at all times. Property managers routinely inspect these pathways to confirm they remain unobstructed, unlockable, and accessible to a public thoroughfare without routing through another tenant's unit. Keeping documentation of regular egress inspections is a practice commonly associated with ongoing compliance with dual-egress requirements like this one.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Colona § 9-2-5-12 gives occupants of covered rental units the right to two separate, unobstructed exit paths that lead to a public thoroughfare without passing through another unit or a space that could be locked. If a tenant believes one or both egress routes are blocked, inaccessible, or otherwise non-compliant, general enforcement paths include notifying the landlord in writing, contacting the local building or housing code enforcement office, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance. Documenting the condition of exit routes—such as through photographs and written records—is a step commonly taken by tenants who wish to raise a potential violation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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