Park Rapids, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 152 (2026) § 152.016

No person shall occupy as owner/occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling or dwelling units for the purposes of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements:


(A) Emergency exit. Every habitable room used for sleeping purposes shall have at least 1 openable window or second door for egress purposes as approved by current Minnesota State Building Code for the licensure of a rental property. Once a rental property is in compliance with current Minnesota State Building Code standards and a rental license has been issued, and the license has not lapsed or been revoked, the size of the egress windows will be considered grandfathered until the window is replaced, if changes have been made to the current Minnesota State Building Code in the interim. If a rental license has lapsed or been revoked the rental property must be brought to current Minnesota State Building Code standards prior to the re-licensure of the property.


(B) Ventilation. Every habitable room shall have at least 1 window or skylight which can easily be opened or such other means to adequately ventilate the room as approved by Minnesota State Building Code.


(C) Bathroom light and ventilation. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms contained in this section except that no window or skylight shall be required in adequately ventilated bathrooms and water closet compartments equipped with ventilation.


(D) Electric outlets. Where there is electric service available from power lines which are not more than 300 feet away from a dwelling, every habitable room of such dwelling shall contain at least 2 separate electric convenience outlets or 1 such convenience outlet and 1 supplied ceiling type electric light fixture; and every water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room and public hall shall contain at least 1 supplied ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture. Every such outlet and fixture shall be properly installed, shall be maintained in good and safe working condition, and shall be connected to the source of electric power in a safe manner. Every dwelling unit must have access to the fuse or circuit boxes serving that unit for safety purposes. Kitchen, bath and u-1 occupancies must be protected by G.F.I. outlets.


(E) Heating facilities. Every dwelling shall have heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working condition, and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and water closet compartments in every dwelling unit located therein to a temperature of at least 68°F, at a distance of 3 feet above floor level, under ordinary minimum winter conditions.


(F) Lighting halls and stairways. Every hallway and stairway in every multiple dwelling containing 4 or more dwelling units shall be adequately lighted at all times. Every hallway and stairway in structures devoted solely to dwelling occupancy and containing not more than 3 dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light switches, controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when needed, instead of full-time lighting.


(G) Screens. During that portion of each year when it is necessary for protection against mosquitoes, flies, and other insects, every window opening from a dwelling unit required for ventilation shall have supplied screens.


(H) Rodent protection. Every basement or cellar window used or intended to be used for ventilation and every other opening to a basement which might provide an entry for rodents shall be supplied with a screen or such other device as will effectively prevent their entrance.


(Am. Ord. 473, passed 12-12-2006; Am. Ord. 475, passed 2-27-2007)