Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.420
Electric outlets and fixtures (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
In all existing dwellings now or hereafter supplied with electric service, every habitable room with one hundred twenty (120) square feet of floor space or less shall be provided with two (2) separate floor or wall type duplex electric convenience outlets, and an additional duplex electric convenience outlet shall be required for each additional eighty (80) square feet, or fraction thereof, of floor space. Required outlets shall, insofar as possible, be spaced equal distances apart. Kitchens and rooms with kitchen areas shall have one duplex electric convenience outlet in addition to the number herein required for other habitable rooms. One ceiling-type electric light fixture or one wall-type electric light fixture controlled by a remote switch may be supplied in lieu of one required electric convenience outlet in each habitable room. Every public hall, water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room and furnace room shall contain at least one supplied electric light fixture. All general use cellar or basement areas shall be provided with sufficient artificial light so as to provide one footcandle of light at all floor areas. All electric outlets and fixtures shall be installed, maintained and energized by a source of electric power in a manner complying with the city electrical code applicable now or at the time such outlets or fixtures were or are installed. The electric service and all wiring shall be maintained in good condition and used in a safe manner. All hazardous wiring and all disconnected, exposed wiring shall be removed. In addition to the aforegoing provisions applicable to existing dwellings, when a new electrical service is installed to service dwelling-type units, the following minimum standards shall apply: (1) One 15-amp branch circuit with balanced load for every five hundred seventy-five (575) square feet of habitable floor area shall be provided. (2) At least one duplex receptacle on a separate 20-amp kitchen appliance circuit shall be provided. (3) Where laundry facilities are provided, at least one duplex receptacle on a 20-amp circuit shall be provided to serve such laundry area. (4) The bath or toilet room of such dwelling units shall have at least one electrical convenience outlet installed. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 71.030; 78-Or-244, § 13, 11-22-78)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.420 establishes minimum electrical outlet and lighting standards for residential dwellings. The rule ties the required number of duplex electrical outlets to a room's square footage, mandates at least one light fixture in common and utility spaces, and sets additional circuit and receptacle requirements when new electrical service is installed. All wiring, outlets, and fixtures must be kept in good working order, and any hazardous or disconnected exposed wiring must be removed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 244.420, compliant operators generally audit each habitable room's square footage to confirm the correct number of duplex outlets are present and appropriately spaced, with kitchens receiving one extra outlet beyond the standard count. Landlords typically ensure that public halls, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and furnace rooms each contain at least one functioning light fixture, and that basement and cellar areas meet the one-footcandle floor-level lighting standard. When new electrical service is installed, operators generally verify that branch circuits, kitchen appliance circuits, laundry circuits, and bathroom outlets all meet the minimums specified in § 244.420's new-service provisions, and that all wiring is maintained in safe condition with no hazardous or exposed disconnected wiring left in place.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 244.420 gives tenants a basis to expect a minimum number of working electrical outlets scaled to each room's size, functioning light fixtures in shared and utility spaces, and safe, well-maintained wiring throughout the dwelling. If outlets, fixtures, or wiring appear to fall short of these standards, tenants may document the conditions and consider filing a complaint with Minneapolis's housing inspection or code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Minneapolis housing code can also help residents understand what remedies or defenses may be available under § 244.420 when electrical conditions are substandard.
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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