Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.950
Heating plants (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
In all multiple dwellings not of Type I or II construction (as the term Type I or II construction is defined in the building code) and over two (2) stories and basement in height or containing more than four (4) dwelling units on any floor above the first floor or containing more than ten (10) sleeping rooms on any floor above the first floor of such building, the heating plant shall be separated from the rest of the building by not less than a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation as defined in the building code or in lieu thereof a sprinkler system approved by the chief of the fire department. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.070)
Minneapolis Code § 244.950 establishes a fire-safety requirement for heating plants in certain larger or taller multiple-dwelling buildings that are not of Type I or II construction. Specifically, when a building exceeds two stories and a basement in height, has more than four dwelling units on any floor above the first, or contains more than ten sleeping rooms on any floor above the first, the heating plant must be physically separated from the rest of the building. That separation must meet at least a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation standard as defined in the building code, or alternatively, an approved sprinkler system may be installed in place of that barrier.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of qualifying multiple dwellings subject to § 244.950 generally ensure that their heating plant is enclosed by a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation that meets the Minneapolis building code definition, or that a sprinkler system approved by the fire department chief is installed as an alternative. Compliance typically involves confirming the building's construction type and occupancy profile—specifically whether it exceeds two stories and a basement, has more than four units on any upper floor, or has more than ten sleeping rooms on any upper floor—before determining which separation method applies. Routine inspections and documentation of the fire-resistive assembly or sprinkler approval help demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Minneapolis Code § 244.950, residents of qualifying multiple dwellings have an interest in knowing that the building's heating plant is properly separated from occupied areas by a fire-resistive barrier or an approved sprinkler system. If a tenant has reason to believe this separation is absent or compromised—such as observing an unenclosed mechanical room in a building that appears to meet the size or height thresholds—they may consider contacting the Minneapolis Department of Regulatory Services or a comparable local code-enforcement body to request an inspection. Tenant-rights organizations in Minneapolis can also help residents understand how building code violations under provisions like § 244.950 may relate to habitability standards or other tenant protections.
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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