Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 15 § 15.81
REQUIREMENTS (Bloomington Buildings and Structures Code)
Operative Text
(a) Installation. Every controlled access building used as a Group R-1 Occupancy must have a properly installed and maintained access key box of a type approved by the Fire Marshal in an accessible location outside the building as close as possible to the main entrance door. The access key box must not be located at a height over six feet above the finished grade. The access key box and its installation must be approved by the Fire Marshal or the Fire Marshal’s designee. (b) Contents. Every access key box must contain the following: (1) A key to gain access to the main entrance; (2) A key to gain access to any locking vestibule; and (3) All keys necessary to gain access to any area, room or equipment as directed by the Fire Chief, Fire Marshal or Police Chief. (c) Identification. Keys shall be placed on a group ring with each key thereon clearly identified by its function. (Ord. 2002-1, passed 1-14-2002)
Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 15.81 requires that every controlled-access residential building classified as Group R-1 Occupancy install and maintain a Fire Marshal-approved key box outside the building, positioned as close as possible to the main entrance and no higher than six feet above finished grade. The box must hold keys to the main entrance, any locking vestibule, and any other areas or equipment specified by the Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, or Police Chief. All keys in the box must be placed on a group ring and individually labeled by function so emergency responders can quickly identify them.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of controlled-access Group R-1 buildings in Bloomington are generally expected to obtain Fire Marshal approval for both the key box model and its installation location before mounting the unit, as required under § 15.81. Compliant operators typically coordinate with the Fire Marshal or the Fire Marshal's designee to confirm the box is positioned near the main entrance at or below the six-foot height limit, and they keep the box stocked with all currently required keys. Ongoing maintenance includes updating the box contents whenever locks change and ensuring every key on the group ring remains clearly labeled by its function.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 15.81 of the Bloomington Code of Ordinances is primarily a building-safety requirement directed at property operators, but it reflects a broader obligation to maintain the building in a code-compliant condition. Tenants who believe their building's key box is missing, improperly installed, or not approved by the Fire Marshal may report the concern to the Bloomington Fire Marshal's office or the city's code enforcement division. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Bloomington's municipal code can help residents understand what options are available when a building appears to fall short of the requirements set out in § 15.81.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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