Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.1680
Locks required for one- and two-family dwellings (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
All one- and two-family dwellings or portion thereof when let to another shall be provided with dead bolt locks on all exterior doors of each dwelling unit, at least one of which must be capable of being locked from the exterior. In the case of all one-family dwellings when let to another, and ground story doors of two-family dwellings or portions thereof when let to another, dead bolt locks may be of a type openable from the inside with a key or a mechanism requiring special knowledge or effort. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 153.045; 80-Or-052 , § 3, 4-11-80)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.1680 requires that all one- and two-family rental dwellings be equipped with dead bolt locks on every exterior door, with at least one lock operable from the outside. For one-family rentals and ground-floor doors in two-family rentals, the dead bolt may be the type that requires a key or special mechanism to open from the inside, rather than a simple thumb-turn. This rule sets a baseline security standard for these smaller rental properties in Minneapolis.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 244.1680, operators of one- and two-family rental properties in Minneapolis generally ensure that every exterior door of each dwelling unit is fitted with a functioning dead bolt lock before tenancy begins. At least one of those dead bolts must be lockable from the exterior, and for one-family rentals or ground-floor doors in two-family units, a key-operated or special-mechanism interior release is permissible. Routine property inspections and maintenance records can help document that locks meet the standard set by this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 244.1680 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances gives renters in one- and two-family dwellings the right to expect dead bolt locks on all exterior doors of their unit, including at least one that can be secured from outside. If a rental unit lacks compliant dead bolts, tenants may have grounds to raise this as a housing code violation with Minneapolis code enforcement or to use it as a defense in certain housing proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations in Minneapolis can help renters understand the options available when a landlord has not met the lock requirements 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.
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