Excelsior, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-120
Kitchen facilities
Operative Text
Every rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit shall have a room or portion of a room in which food may be prepared and/or cooked and which shall have adequate circulation area, and which shall be equipped with the following: (1) An approved kitchen sink in good working condition and properly connected to an approved water supply system and which provides at all times an adequate amount of heated and unheated running water under pressure, and which is connected to an approved sewer system. (2) Cabinets and/or shelves for the storage of eating, drinking, cooking equipment and utensils, and food that does not require refrigeration for safekeeping, and a counter or table for food preparation. Such cabinets and/or shelves and counter or table shall be adequate for the occupant of the rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit and shall be of sound construction furnished with surfaces that are easily cleanable and that will not impart any toxic or deleterious effect to food. (3) A stove or similar device for cooking food and a refrigerator or similar device for the safe storage of food at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, both of which are properly installed with all necessary connections for safe, sanitary, and efficient operation. Such stove, refrigerator, or similar device need not be installed when a rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit is not occupied or when the occupant is expected to provide same on occupancy, in which case sufficient space and adequate connections for the installation and operation of such stove, refrigerator, or similar device must be provided.
Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-120 requires every rental dwelling or unit to include a dedicated food-preparation area equipped with three core elements: a functioning kitchen sink connected to both pressurized hot and cold running water and an approved sewer system; adequate storage cabinets or shelves and a food-prep surface made of cleanable, non-toxic materials; and a cooking appliance along with a refrigerator capable of keeping food at or below 40°F. The cooking and refrigeration equipment must be properly installed for safe and sanitary operation, though an exception applies when a unit is vacant or when the tenant is expected to supply those appliances — in which case the space and utility connections for them must still be provided. The rule sets a baseline standard intended to ensure that rental housing includes functional, hygienic kitchen infrastructure.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-120, compliant rental operators generally ensure that every unit's kitchen area includes a sink with working hot and cold pressurized water properly tied into the sewer, storage cabinetry and prep surfaces that are structurally sound and easy to clean, and a stove and refrigerator (maintaining 40°F or below) that are fully and safely connected. When a unit is rented to a tenant who is contractually expected to supply their own cooking and refrigeration appliances, operators typically document that arrangement clearly and confirm that adequate space and utility hookups are in place before occupancy. Routine inspections of plumbing connections, cabinet integrity, and appliance installations help operators stay ahead of potential code-compliance issues under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-120 of Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV gives tenants the right to a rental unit with a properly functioning kitchen sink (hot and cold running water, sewer connection), clean and structurally sound storage and prep surfaces, and a working stove and refrigerator — unless the lease specifically places the responsibility for supplying appliances on the tenant, in which case the landlord must still provide the space and connections for them. If any of these kitchen elements are missing, broken, or in unsanitary condition, tenants may have grounds to raise the violation with the local housing or code-enforcement authority in Excelsior. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what local complaint or inspection processes may be available under this provision.
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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