Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.555
Guardrails (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
All accessible doorways, unenclosed floor and roof openings, open stairs, porches, balconies, walkways and landings which are more than thirty (30) inches above grade or the surface below shall be protected by an approved guardrail. The guardrail shall be not less than thirty-six (36) inches in height and, when in the opinion of the director of regulatory services, it is necessary to protect the public safety, intermediate rails, balusters, or other approved members shall be provided so that no object nine (9) inches in diameter can pass through the guardrails. New installations or replacements of guardrails shall be in compliance with the state building code. (78-Or-244, § 22, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, § 20 , 6-11-82; 2013-Or-161, § 20 , 12-6-13)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.555 requires that elevated areas—such as open stairs, porches, balconies, walkways, and landings more than 30 inches above the ground or surface below—be fitted with an approved guardrail at least 36 inches tall. When the director of regulatory services determines it is necessary for public safety, the guardrail must also include intermediate rails, balusters, or similar members spaced closely enough that no object 9 inches in diameter can pass through. Any new guardrail installations or replacements must meet Minnesota state building code standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 244.555, property owners and managers are generally expected to inspect all elevated areas—including porches, balconies, open stairs, and landings more than 30 inches above grade—to confirm that compliant guardrails of at least 36 inches in height are in place. When the director of regulatory services determines that public safety warrants it, operators ensure that spacing between rails or balusters is tight enough to block passage of any object 9 inches in diameter. Any new guardrail installations or replacements should be brought into conformance with the state building code, and documentation of compliance can be useful during routine inspections.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minneapolis Code § 244.555 gives tenants the assurance that elevated areas in their building—such as balconies, porches, open stairs, and landings more than 30 inches off the ground—must be protected by guardrails meeting specific height and spacing requirements. If a guardrail appears missing, damaged, or does not meet the 36-inch height standard, tenants may report the condition to Minneapolis Regulatory Services, which oversees enforcement of this provision. Tenant-rights organizations in Minneapolis can also help residents understand how to document unsafe conditions and what options are generally available when a landlord does not address a reported hazard.
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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