Dayton, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 113 (2026) § 113.091
HANDRAILS
Operative Text
(A) Stairways having four or more risers shall have a continuous full-length handrail on at least one side. The handrail shall be mounted no less than 34 inches nor more than 38 inches above the nosing of the stair treas. (B) The handgrip potion of the handrail shall not be less than 1-1/2 inch and no more than two inches in cross-sectional dimension. The ends of the handrails shall be returned to the walls. (C) Stairways that are 66 inches in width or more require handrails on both sides. (D) Existing handrails that are not deemed to be hazardous by the code official or housing inspector are allowed to remain as they are. (Ord. 2018-18, passed 2-28-2018; Ord. 2019-07, passed 6-11-2019) Penalty, see § 113.999
Dayton Ch. 113 Rental Dwellings § 113.091 establishes specific physical requirements for handrails on stairways in rental dwellings. Stairways with four or more risers must have at least one continuous, full-length handrail mounted between 34 and 38 inches above the stair tread nosing, with a handgrip diameter between 1½ and 2 inches and ends returned to the walls. Stairways 66 inches wide or wider require handrails on both sides. Existing handrails that a code official or housing inspector does not consider hazardous may remain in place without modification.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties in Dayton should ensure that any stairway with four or more risers complies with the mounting height, grip dimension, and wall-return requirements set out in § 113.091. For wider stairways—those 66 inches or more across—compliant handrails are required on both sides. When existing handrails are present, a code official or housing inspector determines whether they are hazardous; those not deemed hazardous are permitted to remain, but documenting their condition can support a showing of compliance during inspections.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Dayton Ch. 113 Rental Dwellings § 113.091, tenants have a right to stairways equipped with handrails that meet specific safety standards, including proper height, grip size, and placement. If a stairway in a rental unit has four or more risers and lacks a compliant handrail—or if a wide stairway is missing a required second handrail—that may constitute a code violation. Tenants who believe their stairway handrails are missing or hazardous can contact Dayton's code enforcement or housing inspection office to request an inspection, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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