Columbia Heights, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 5A (2026) § 5A.210
HEATING AND MECHANICAL
Operative Text
(A) Heating facilities required . Heating facilities shall be provided in structures as required by this section. (B) Nonresidential occupancies . All occupiable indoor workspaces shall be provided with heating facilities as required by the Minnesota State Building Code. (C) Residential occupancies . Dwellings shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68°F in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms. Cooking or water heating appliances shall not be used to provide space heating to meet the requirements of this section. Portable heating equipment employing flame or the use of liquid fuel shall not be considered as heating facilities within the meaning of this section and is prohibited. No owner or occupant shall install, operate or use a space heater employing a flame that is not vented outside the structure in an approved manner. No owner shall supply portable electric heaters to comply with this section. (D) Heat supply . Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling unit, rooming unit, dormitory or guestroom on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat during the period from October 1 to May 1 to maintain a temperature of not less than 68°F in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms. When the outdoor temperature is below the winter outdoor design temperature for the locality, maintenance of the minimum room temperature shall not be required provided that the heating system is operating at its full design capacity. (E) Room temperature measurement . The required room temperatures shall be measured three feet above the floor level and three feet from exterior walls. (F) Mechanical appliances . All mechanical appliances, fireplaces, solid fuel-burning appliances, cooking appliances and water heating appliances shall be properly installed and maintained in a safe working condition, and shall be capable of performing the intended function. (G) Removal of combustion products . All fuel-burning equipment and appliances shall be connected to an approved chimney or vent unless the fuel-burning equipment and appliances are labeled for unvented operation. (H) Clearances . All required clearances to combustible materials shall be maintained. (I) Safety controls . All safety controls for fuel-burning equipment shall be maintained in effective operation. (J) Combustion air . A supply of air for complete combustion of the fuel and for ventilation of the space containing the fuel-burning equipment shall be provided for the fuel-burning equipment. (K) Energy conservation devices . Devices intended to reduce fuel consumption by attachment to a fuel-burning appliance, to the fuel supply line thereto, or to the vent outlet or vent piping therefor, shall not be installed unless labeled for such purpose and the installation is specifically approved by the Building Official. (Ord. 1532, passed 11-26-07) Penalty, see § 5A.702
Columbia Heights Ch. 5A Rental Housing § 5A.210 establishes comprehensive requirements for heating and mechanical systems in both residential and nonresidential buildings. Residential dwellings must have permanent heating systems capable of maintaining at least 68°F in habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms, measured three feet above the floor and three feet from exterior walls. Portable flame-based or liquid-fuel heaters do not satisfy this requirement, and all fuel-burning equipment must be properly vented, maintained, and supplied with adequate combustion air. Energy conservation devices may only be added to fuel-burning appliances if they carry appropriate labeling and receive specific approval from the Building Official.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and operators subject to Columbia Heights Ch. 5A Rental Housing § 5A.210 generally ensure that every rental dwelling unit is equipped with a permanent, properly installed heating system—not portable electric heaters or open-flame devices—capable of reaching 68°F throughout habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms. Compliant operators supply heat from October 1 through May 1 and keep all mechanical appliances, venting systems, safety controls, and combustion air supplies in safe working order year-round. Operators also verify that any energy conservation device attached to fuel-burning equipment is appropriately labeled and has received written approval from the Building Official before installation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Columbia Heights Ch. 5A Rental Housing § 5A.210, tenants in rental dwellings have a right to adequate heat—at least 68°F in habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms—maintained by a permanent heating system from October 1 through May 1 each year. If a landlord fails to provide compliant heat or maintains unsafe mechanical equipment, tenants may document the conditions (including temperature readings taken at the prescribed measurement points) and report the issue to the local code enforcement authority. Tenants may also consider consulting a tenant-rights organization to understand available remedies, which can include raising a housing code violation as a defense in certain proceedings.
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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