Andover, Minn., City Code title 9 ch. 8 art. A (2026) § 9-8A-8
: MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LIGHT AND VENTILATION: No person
Operative Text
9-8A-8: MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LIGHT AND VENTILATION: No person
shall occupy as owner, occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or
rooming unit which does not comply the following requirements:
A. Habitable Room Ventilation: Except where there is supplied some
other device affording ventilation and approved by the Building Official,
every habitable room shall have at least one window facing directly
outdoors which can be opened easily.
B. Electric Service, Outlets, and Fixtures. Every dwelling and rooming unit
and all public and common areas shall be supplied with electric
service, functioning over-current protection devices, electric outlets,
and electric fixtures which are properly installed, which shall be
maintained in a safe working condition, and shall be connected to a
source of electric power in a manner prescribed by ordinances, rules,
and regulations of the City of Andover and by the laws of the State of
Minnesota. The minimum capacity of such electric service and the
minimum number of electric outlets and fixtures shall be as follows:
1. A dwelling containing one or two dwelling units shall have at least
the equivalent of 100 ampere, three-wire electric service per dwelling
unit.
2. Every habitable room shall contain at least one (1) electrical
convenience outlet.
3. Every water closet compartment, bathroom, kitchen, laundry room,
and furnace room shall contain at least one (1) supplied ceiling-type or
wall-type electric convenience outlet.
4. Every public hall and public stairway in every multiple dwelling shall
be adequately lighted to provide at least ten (10) foot candles of
illumination of all parts thereof at all times by means of properly located
electric light fixtures; provided that such electrical lighting may be
omitted from sunrise to sunset where there are windows or skylights
opening directly to the outside and where the total window or skylight
area is at least one-tenth (1/10) of the combined horizontal area of the
floor and stairway of each such public hallway and where such
windows or skylight provide adequate natural light to all parts of each
public hallway. Every public hall and stairway in dwellings containing
two (2) dwelling units shall be supplied with convenient light switches,
controlling an adequate lighting system that will provide at least ten
(10) foot candles of illumination on all parts thereof, which may be
turned on when needed.
5. A convenient switch or equivalent device for turning on a light in
each dwelling unit shall be located near the point of entrance to such
unit.Section 9-8A-8 of the Andover, MN City Code establishes minimum standards for light and ventilation in dwellings and rooming units. Every habitable room must have at least one openable window facing outdoors (or an approved alternative ventilation device), and all units must be supplied with properly installed, safe electrical service, outlets, and fixtures meeting specified minimums. These minimums include at least 100-ampere service per unit in one- or two-unit dwellings, at least one electrical outlet in every habitable room, ceiling or wall outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and furnace rooms, adequate lighting in public halls and stairways, and a light switch near each unit's entrance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental dwellings in Andover, MN subject to § 9-8A-8 generally ensure that every habitable room contains at least one openable window facing outdoors or a Building Official–approved ventilation alternative. Compliant operators also verify that electrical service meets the code's minimums—100-ampere, three-wire service per unit in one- and two-unit buildings, at least one outlet per habitable room, and appropriate fixtures in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and furnace rooms. Public hallways and stairways in multi-unit buildings are kept illuminated to at least 10 foot-candles at all times, and a light switch is positioned near each unit's entrance, all in accordance with City of Andover ordinances and Minnesota state law.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 9-8A-8 of the Andover City Code, tenants have a right to occupy dwellings that meet minimum ventilation and electrical standards, including openable windows in habitable rooms, sufficient electrical outlets, and properly lit common areas. If a unit appears to lack these features—such as missing outlets, inadequate hallway lighting, or windows that cannot be opened—tenants may consider documenting the conditions and contacting the City of Andover's building or code enforcement office to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations in Minnesota can also help explain available options, including whether a violation under § 9-8A-8 may be relevant to other remedies available under state or local law.
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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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