Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.1670
Locks required for multiple dwellings (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
(a) All multiple dwellings, including hotels, constructed after June 1, 1970, shall provide dead bolt locks on all entrance doors of each dwelling unit, at least one of which must be capable of being locked from the exterior. (b) All multiple dwellings existing on October 31, 1969, shall provide dead bolt locks, as herein required, on all entrance doors of each dwelling unit. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 153.030; 80-Or-052 , § 2, 4-11-80; 82-Or-106 , § 36, 6-11-82)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.1670 requires that every dwelling unit in a multiple-dwelling building—including hotels—be equipped with dead bolt locks on all entrance doors. For buildings constructed after June 1, 1970, at least one of those dead bolts must be operable from the outside. This requirement applies to both newer construction and buildings that existed as of October 31, 1969, meaning the rule covers virtually all multi-unit residential buildings in Minneapolis.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 244.1670, operators of multiple dwellings are generally expected to install dead bolt locks on every entrance door of each dwelling unit, ensuring that at least one dead bolt can be locked from the exterior for post-1970 construction. Routine property inspections and maintenance programs typically include verifying that all dead bolts are functional and meet the ordinance's specifications. Keeping records of lock installations and any replacements can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 244.1670 establishes a right for tenants in Minneapolis multiple dwellings to have dead bolt locks on all entrance doors to their unit, which is a baseline security standard the building must meet. If a unit lacks the required dead bolts, tenants may have grounds to raise this as a housing code violation by contacting Minneapolis's housing inspection services or a local tenant-rights organization. Documenting the condition of locks in writing and communicating concerns to the landlord are steps commonly associated with pursuing a complaint 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 September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.