Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.435
Heating facilities performance inspection and energy audit required (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
(a) The owner of any dwelling or dwellings required to possess a rental dwelling, rooming house, or lodging establishment license shall obtain at the owner's expense, a heating facilities performance inspection from a city-licensed mechanical or gas contractor or a boiler operator licensed by the State of Minnesota. The inspection shall verify that any combustion fuel heating plant in excess of ten (10) years of age complies with the "Heating, Ventilation and Cooling Performance Safety Check" requirements published, maintained and made readily available by the director of regulatory services. In addition to any other requirements adopted by the director, it shall be required that combustion make up air with a properly functioning air trap be installed for all combustion water heaters and heating plants in compliance with standards established by the Minnesota Fuel Gas Code. Should the initial inspection indicate that the dwelling or dwellings fail to meet any standard required pursuant to this section, the owner shall take necessary remedial action to abate the deficiency and obtain a reinspection documenting compliance with all requirements. Proof of a satisfactory inspection occurring within the previous two (2) years shall be required upon the occurrence of the regularly-scheduled periodic rental licensing inspection for the property. If proof of a satisfactory inspection is not provided upon the occurrence of the regularly-scheduled periodic rental licensing inspection, the owner shall be ordered to provide such documentation or to obtain and submit proof of a satisfactory inspection within a reasonable timeframe, not less than thirty (30) days, as established by the director of regulatory services, and may not be deemed to have violated this section nor be subject to any penalties until the expiration of such time. The owner shall submit upon request to the director of regulatory services all applicable and necessary information documenting compliance with this section. This section shall not apply to any combustion fuel heating plant or boiler system already required to undergo periodic inspection by any agency of the State of Minnesota. (b) Whenever the director of regulatory services or a proper designee thereof issues a notice of violation to the owner or other natural person responsible for the maintenance of a single-family dwelling required to possess a rental dwelling license ordering the remedial repair of a condition enumerated in this subsection, the notice shall inform the recipient of the energy audit and blower door test requirements of this subsection. The owner of such a rental dwelling shall obtain at the owner's expense an energy audit including a blower door test and thermal (infrared) scan from a state-approved utility-administered conservation improvement program or from a home energy auditor otherwise recognized by the director of regulatory services. The inspection shall verify that the calculated house air leakage values are within levels established and adopted by the director. Should the initial blower test inspection indicate that the dwelling or dwellings fail to meet the standard adopted pursuant to this subsection, the owner shall take necessary remedial action in conformance with Minn. Statute Section 504B.161(1)(a)(3) to abate the deficiency and obtain a reinspection documenting compliance with all requirements. The audit, testing, measurements, and inspection and any required mitigation shall be completed in compliance with a protocol that shall be published, maintained and made readily available by the director. The owner shall submit to the director all applicable and necessary information documenting compliance with this subsection and shall, upon the request of any current or prospective tenant, provide a complete and accurate copy of any energy audit obtained pursuant to this subsection. After any qualifying dwelling establishes initial compliance with this subsection the director may not order any subsequent audit for a period of ten (10) years unless for good cause. This subsection shall not apply to condominium, cooperative or townhouse dwellings. The requirements of this subsection shall be triggered by any notice of violation duly and properly issued ordering the remedial repair of a violation of sections 244.520 or 244.530 involving: (1) Lack of weather stripping around windows or exterior doors; (2) Loose-fitting windows; (3) Water damaged surfaces that appear to be caused by loose-fitting windows or doors or holes or breaches in the foundation or roof; or (4) Lack of or loose-fitting storm windows or storm doors. (c) Effective date. This section shall become effective June 1, 2011. ( 2011-Or-023 , § 1, 3-10-11; 2013-Or-161 , § 18 , 12-6-13)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.435 establishes two distinct inspection requirements for licensed rental properties. First, owners must periodically have combustion fuel heating systems older than ten years inspected by a qualified contractor to verify safety and code compliance, with proof of a satisfactory inspection required at each scheduled rental licensing review. Second, when a single-family rental dwelling receives a notice of violation related to specific weatherization deficiencies—such as loose-fitting windows or missing weather stripping—the owner must also obtain an energy audit that includes a blower door test and thermal scan, and must share a copy of that audit with any current or prospective tenant upon request.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 244.435, compliant rental property operators maintain up-to-date records of heating facilities performance inspections conducted by a city-licensed mechanical or gas contractor, ensuring inspections occur within the two-year window preceding each periodic rental licensing review. Operators also ensure that combustion make-up air with a properly functioning air trap is installed for all applicable water heaters and heating plants per the Minnesota Fuel Gas Code. When a notice of violation is issued for qualifying weatherization deficiencies at a single-family rental, compliant operators promptly arrange an energy audit—including a blower door test and thermal scan—from a state-approved or director-recognized auditor, complete any required mitigation, and keep copies of audit results available for tenants who request them.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 244.435 gives tenants of single-family rental dwellings a right to receive a complete and accurate copy of any energy audit obtained under this provision upon request, which can be a useful tool for understanding the energy efficiency and weatherization condition of a home. If a landlord has received a notice of violation for weatherization issues such as loose windows or missing weather stripping, this provision requires the owner to follow through with an energy audit and any necessary remediation in line with Minnesota Statute § 504B.161. Tenants who believe their landlord is not meeting these inspection or audit obligations may consider contacting the Minneapolis Department of Regulatory Services, consulting a local tenant-rights organization, or raising the issue as part of any relevant housing complaint process.
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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