Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.550
Stairways and porches (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
(a) [ Construction and maintenance generally; live load. ] Every inside and all outside stairways, every porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon; and shall be kept in a professional state of maintenance and repair. Normal use live load shall be the uniform load as set out in the state building code, one hundred (100) pounds per square foot. (b) [ Handrails. ] Every inside and all outside stairways that have four (4) or more risers shall have at least one (1) handrail, and all such stairways which are forty-four (44) inches or more in width, or which are open on both sides, shall have a handrail on each side. If a stairway is open on one (1) side, the required handrail shall be placed on the open side, when required by the director of regulatory services. Stairways required to be more than eighty-eight (88) inches in width shall be provided with an intermediate handrail. However, only one (1) handrail shall be required when such an outside stairway serves a one- or two-family dwelling and the stairway is not more than forty-two (42) inches above the adjacent surface. All handrails shall be not less than thirty (30) inches nor more than thirty-four (34) inches vertically above the nose of the stair treads or stairway platforms. (c) Exception. Outside stairways attached to owner-occupied single-family dwellings are exempt from the handrail requirements of this section unless such outside stairways are more than forty-two (42) inches above the adjacent surface or are remodeled pursuant to a permit as required by Chapter 89 of this Code of Ordinances. (d) [ To be kept clean of snow, etc. ] Required means of egress that are exposed to the elements shall be kept clear at all times of rubbish, snow, ice or other obstructions when such egress serves a multiple dwelling. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 72.060; 78-Or-244, § 21 , 11-22-78; 82-Or-106 , §§ 2, 19, 6-11-82; 2009-Or-093 , § 1, 9-18-09; 2013-Or-161 , § 19 , 12-6-13)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.550 establishes structural and safety standards for stairways, porches, and their attachments in residential properties. Stairways with four or more risers must have at least one handrail, with additional handrails required based on width or open-sided configurations, and all handrails must fall within a specific height range of 30 to 34 inches above stair treads. Required egress routes exposed to the elements — such as exterior stairways serving multi-unit buildings — must be kept free of snow, ice, rubbish, and other obstructions at all times. Owner-occupied single-family dwellings receive a limited exemption from handrail requirements for outside stairways under certain conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential rental properties subject to Minneapolis Code § 244.550 generally ensure that all stairways, porches, and appurtenances are structurally sound, capable of bearing a live load of 100 pounds per square foot, and maintained in a professional state of repair. Compliant operators verify that handrails are installed on stairways with four or more risers and that handrail heights measure between 30 and 34 inches above stair tread noses, adding handrails on both sides or at intermediate positions where width or open-sided configurations require it. For multi-unit dwellings, operators serving required egress routes exposed to weather under § 244.550(d) routinely clear those paths of snow, ice, and debris to maintain unobstructed egress at all times.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in properties covered by Minneapolis Code § 244.550 have a right to stairways and porches that are structurally safe, properly maintained, and equipped with handrails meeting the code's specifications. If a stairway lacks a required handrail, is in disrepair, or an exterior egress route in a multi-unit building is left obstructed by snow or ice, these conditions may constitute code violations that can be reported to Minneapolis regulatory services. Tenants may also consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand how a § 244.550 violation could be raised in a housing court proceeding or used as the basis for a formal complaint.
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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