Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.850
Basement space may be habitable (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
No basement space shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit unless: (a) The floor and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and are insulated against dampness; (b) The total window area in each room is equal to at least the minimum window area sizes as required in section 244.410 ; (c) The total openable window area or mechanical ventilation in each room is equal to at least the minimum as required under section 244.410 . (Code 1960, As Amend., § 73.070)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.850 sets out the conditions under which basement space may legally qualify as a habitable room or dwelling unit. Specifically, the floors and walls must resist water intrusion and dampness, each room must meet the minimum window area standards cross-referenced in § 244.410, and each room must also provide adequate openable window area or mechanical ventilation as specified in § 244.410. Basement spaces that do not satisfy all three conditions cannot lawfully be used as living quarters.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 244.850, operators who rent or offer basement space as habitable rooms or dwelling units are generally expected to verify that floors and walls are waterproofed and insulated against dampness before occupancy. Compliant operators also confirm that each basement room meets the minimum window area dimensions and the openable-window or mechanical-ventilation thresholds set out in § 244.410. Maintaining documentation of these conditions—such as inspection records or ventilation specifications—is a practice commonly associated with ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minneapolis Code § 244.850 establishes baseline habitability standards that basement units must meet, including water resistance, adequate natural light, and proper ventilation or openable windows as defined in § 244.410. If a basement unit appears to lack any of these features, tenants may have grounds to raise a habitability concern with the City of Minneapolis's inspections or housing enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations in Minneapolis can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what general options—such as filing a complaint or raising a habitability defense—may be available.
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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