Excelsior, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-145
Access through sleeping rooms and bathrooms
Operative Text
Except as otherwise permitted or required by state law, no rental dwelling unit containing two or more sleeping rooms shall have a room arrangement such that access to a bathroom or water closet compartment intended for use by occupants of more than one sleeping room can be gained only by going through another sleeping room, nor shall the room arrangement be such that access to a sleeping room can be gained only by going through another sleeping room. A bathroom or water closet compartment shall not be used as the only passageway to any habitable room, hall, basement, or cellar, or to the exterior of any rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit.
Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-145 establishes layout requirements for rental dwelling units with two or more sleeping rooms. Specifically, it prohibits room arrangements where the only way to reach a shared bathroom or water closet is by passing through another sleeping room, and likewise prohibits arrangements where the only way to reach a sleeping room is through another sleeping room. Additionally, a bathroom or water closet compartment may not serve as the sole passageway to any habitable room, hallway, basement, cellar, or the exterior of the dwelling unit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental dwelling units subject to § 8-145 of Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV generally ensure that any shared bathroom or water closet accessible to occupants of more than one sleeping room can be reached without passing through any sleeping room. Compliant properties also provide independent access to each sleeping room — meaning no sleeping room serves as a corridor to another — and no bathroom or water closet functions as the only route to any habitable space, hallway, basement, cellar, or building exit. Landlords reviewing floor plans for new rentals or renovations typically confirm these circulation requirements are met before units are occupied.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Excelsior Code of Ordinances ch. 8, art. IV § 8-145, tenants in multi-sleeping-room rental units have a right to room arrangements that do not require passing through one sleeping room to reach another, or through a sleeping room to reach a shared bathroom. If a unit's layout appears to violate these access requirements, tenants may consider documenting the conditions, contacting the local housing or code enforcement office in Excelsior, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. Raising a violation of § 8-145 may also be a relevant factor in certain housing-related 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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