Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.500
Foundations, roofs, exterior walls and surfaces (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
(a) All exterior surfaces shall be of a material manufactured or processed specifically for use in such a weather-exposed location, including redwood and other naturally suitable materials, and every exterior wall, chimney, foundation and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof; and shall be kept in a professional state of maintenance and repair. Exterior walls shall be maintained and kept free from dilapidation by cracks, tears or breaks or from deteriorated plaster, stucco, brick, wood or other material that is extensive and gives evidence of long neglect. Exterior surfaces and surface coverings, such as but not limited to wood, cellulose insulation, and paper, paint, and other wall coverings, including paper-faced gypsum board, shall have no signs of visible mold growth or chronic or persistent excessive dampness or moisture. (b) The protective surface on exterior walls of a building above ground level shall be maintained in good repair so as to provide a sufficient covering and protection of the structural surface underneath against its deterioration. Without limiting the generality of this section, a protective surface of a building shall be deemed to be out of repair if: (1) The protective surface has paint which is blistered, cracked, flaked, scaled or chalked away, including window trim, cornice members, porch railings and other such areas. (2) The pointing of any chimney or the pointing of any brick or stone wall is loose or has fallen out. (c) Any exterior surface or plane required to be repaired under the provisions of this section shall be repaired in its entirety. (d) No exterior wall of any dwelling or building accessory thereto shall have paint which is blistered, cracked, flaked, scaled or chalked away. (e) No person shall apply any paint on the exterior surface of any dwelling or building accessory thereto unless such paint contains less than 0.06 percent lead. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.020; 78-Or-244, § 18 , 11-22-78; 82-Or-106 , §§ 2, 16, 6-11-82; 89-Or-151 , § 1, 8-11-89; 94-Or-087 , § 2, 7-1-94; Ord. No. 2023-045 , § 1, 6-15-23)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.500 establishes standards for the exterior envelope of residential buildings, requiring that walls, roofs, chimneys, and foundations be weathertight, watertight, and rodentproof, and kept in professional repair. Exterior surfaces must be free from extensive deterioration, visible mold growth, and chronic moisture problems. Additionally, the provision prohibits the use of exterior paint containing 0.06 percent or more lead, and requires that any surface needing repair under this section be repaired in its entirety rather than patchwork.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 244.500, compliant property operators routinely inspect exterior walls, roofs, chimneys, and foundations for signs of cracking, peeling paint, loose mortar, mold, or persistent moisture, and address deficiencies before they become extensive. When a protective surface is found to be out of repair — for example, paint that is blistered, flaked, or chalked away — operators repair the entire affected surface rather than spot-treating. Any exterior paint applied must contain less than 0.06 percent lead, and documentation of materials used is a common practice for demonstrating compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
§ 244.500 gives tenants a basis to raise concerns when a rental unit's exterior walls, roof, chimney, or foundation show signs of deterioration, mold, chronic dampness, or peeling paint, as these conditions are prohibited under Minneapolis housing code. Tenants who observe such conditions can report them to Minneapolis's housing inspection services, which has authority to inspect and cite violations. Tenant-rights organizations in Minneapolis can also help residents understand how an unresolved exterior maintenance violation may be relevant to habitability claims or other remedies available under local law.
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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