Excelsior, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-144
Minimum ceiling height
Operative Text
In order to qualify as habitable, rooms shall have a clear ceiling height of not less than seven feet, six inches, except that in attics or top-half stories used for sleeping, study, or similar activities, the ceiling height shall be not less than seven feet, six inches over at least one-half of the floor area. In calculating the floor area of such rooms in attics or top-half stories, only those portions of the floor area of the room having a clear ceiling height of five feet or more may be included.
Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-144 establishes minimum ceiling heights that a room must meet to be considered legally habitable. Standard rooms require a clear ceiling height of at least seven feet, six inches throughout. Attic and top-half-story rooms used for sleeping or study are treated differently: at least half of the room's usable floor area must reach that same seven-foot, six-inch height, and only portions of the floor where the ceiling clears five feet or more count toward calculating that floor area.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-144 generally verify ceiling heights before marketing or renting any room as a habitable space. For conventional rooms, compliant operators confirm that the full area meets the seven-foot, six-inch minimum. When renting attic or top-half-story spaces for sleeping or similar uses, diligent operators measure and document that at least half of the qualifying floor area—counting only sections where the ceiling clears five feet—reaches the required height.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-144 gives tenants a basis to question whether a rented room legally qualifies as habitable if its ceiling height falls short of the stated minimums. Tenants who believe a room does not meet these standards may consider raising the issue with local housing or code-enforcement authorities, or documenting the measurements as part of any broader habitability concern. Tenant-rights organizations in the Excelsior area can help explain how ceiling-height deficiencies might factor into available remedies or defenses.
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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