Rochester Code of Ordinances Title 7 — Housing Code (chs. 7-1 through 7-9)
Rochester Housing Code: 9 chapters (ch. 7-10 STR excluded pending MN scope item #8). Ch. 7-1 Definitions (§§ 7-1-1 – 7-1-5). Ch. 7-2 Preface — guiding documents, applicability, pre-existing dwellings, conflicts (§§ 7-2-1 – 7-2-6). Ch. 7-3 Administration and Enforcement — inspector duties, notices, unsafe structures, violation penalties, demolition/repair authority (§§ 7-3-1 – 7-3-59). Ch. 7-4 General Requirements — sanitation, exterior/interior maintenance, vacant-building registry, building security (§§ 7-4-1 – 7-4-65). Ch. 7-5 Light, Ventilation and Occupancy Limitations — habitable-space standards, minimum room sizes, ceiling heights, occupancy limits (§§ 7-5-1 – 7-5-23). Ch. 7-6 Plumbing Facilities — fixture requirements, water supply, heating facilities, drainage (§§ 7-6-1 – 7-6-20). Ch. 7-7 Mechanical and Electrical — heating supply, combustion, electrical hazards, wiring (§§ 7-7-1 – 7-7-24). Ch. 7-8 Fire Safety — egress, fire-resistance assemblies, sprinkler maintenance, smoke alarms and CO alarms (§§ 7-8-1 – 7-8-51). Ch. 7-9 Rental Unit Registration — certificate required, application, standards, suspension/revocation, nuisance declaration (§§ 7-9-1 – 7-9-20). 273 raw docs across chs. 7-1–7-9; parsed section count confirmed via dry run 2026-09-15.
Provisions (273)
§ 7-1-1
Scope
§ 7-1-2
Interchangeability
§ 7-1-3
Terms defined in other codes
§ 7-1-4
Terms not defined
§ 7-1-5
Parts
§ 7-2-1
Guiding documents
§ 7-2-2
Responsibility of the department of community development
§ 7-2-3
Applicability and scope
§ 7-2-4
Pre-existing dwellings
§ 7-2-5
Conflicts; higher standard to prevail
§ 7-2-6
Nuisance authority to continue
§ 7-3-1
General
§ 7-3-10
Notices and orders
§ 7-3-11
Department records
§ 7-3-12
Access by owner
§ 7-3-13
Modifications
§ 7-3-14
Alternative materials, methods and equipment
§ 7-3-15
Required testing
§ 7-3-16
Test methods
§ 7-3-17
Test reports
§ 7-3-18
Used material and equipment
§ 7-3-19
Approved materials and equipment
§ 7-3-2
Appointment
§ 7-3-20
Research reports
§ 7-3-21
Unlawful acts
§ 7-3-22
Notice of violation
§ 7-3-23
Prosecution of violation
§ 7-3-24
Violation penalties
§ 7-3-25
Abatement of violation
§ 7-3-26
Notice to person responsible
§ 7-3-27
Form
§ 7-3-28
Method of service
§ 7-3-29
Unauthorized tampering
§ 7-3-3
Deputies
§ 7-3-30
Penalties
§ 7-3-31
Transfer of ownership
§ 7-3-32
General
§ 7-3-33
Unsafe structures
§ 7-3-34
Unsafe equipment
§ 7-3-35
Structure unfit for human occupancy
§ 7-3-36
Unlawful structure
§ 7-3-37
Dangerous structure or premises
§ 7-3-38
Closing of vacant structures
§ 7-3-39
Authority to disconnect service utilities
§ 7-3-4
Liability
§ 7-3-40
Notice
§ 7-3-41
Placarding
§ 7-3-42
Placard removal
§ 7-3-43
Prohibited occupancy
§ 7-3-44
Abatement methods
§ 7-3-45
Record
§ 7-3-46
Imminent danger
§ 7-3-47
Temporary safeguards
§ 7-3-48
Closing streets
§ 7-3-49
Emergency repairs
§ 7-3-5
Legal defense
§ 7-3-50
Costs of emergency repairs
§ 7-3-51
Hearing
§ 7-3-52
General
§ 7-3-53
Notices and orders
§ 7-3-54
Failure to comply
§ 7-3-55
Salvage materials
§ 7-3-56
Authority
§ 7-3-57
Issuance
§ 7-3-58
Emergencies
§ 7-3-59
Failure to comply
§ 7-3-6
Fees
§ 7-3-7
General
§ 7-3-8
Inspections of dwellings
§ 7-3-9
Identification
§ 7-4-1
Scope
§ 7-4-10
Sanitation
§ 7-4-11
Grading and drainage
§ 7-4-12
Sidewalks and driveways
§ 7-4-13
Rodent harborage
§ 7-4-14
Exhaust vents
§ 7-4-15
Accessory structures
§ 7-4-16
Motor vehicles
§ 7-4-17
Defacement of property
§ 7-4-18
General
§ 7-4-19
Unsafe conditions
§ 7-4-2
Responsibility
§ 7-4-20
Protective treatment
§ 7-4-21
Premises identification
§ 7-4-22
Structural members
§ 7-4-23
Foundation walls
§ 7-4-24
Exterior walls
§ 7-4-25
Roofs and drainage
§ 7-4-26
Decorative features
§ 7-4-27
Overhang extensions
§ 7-4-28
Stairways, decks, porches and balconies
§ 7-4-29
Chimneys and towers
§ 7-4-3
Vacant structures and land
§ 7-4-30
Handrails and guards
§ 7-4-31
Window, skylight and door frames
§ 7-4-32
Glazing
§ 7-4-33
Openable windows
§ 7-4-34
Insect screens
§ 7-4-35
Basement screens
§ 7-4-36
Doors
§ 7-4-37
Basement hatchways
§ 7-4-38
Guards for basement windows
§ 7-4-39
Building security
§ 7-4-4
Definitions
§ 7-4-40
Doors
§ 7-4-41
Windows
§ 7-4-42
Basement hatchways
§ 7-4-43
Gates
§ 7-4-44
General
§ 7-4-45
Unsafe conditions
§ 7-4-46
Structural members
§ 7-4-47
Interior surfaces
§ 7-4-48
Stairs and walking surfaces
§ 7-4-49
Handrails and guards
§ 7-4-5
Vacant building registration
§ 7-4-50
Interior doors
§ 7-4-51
General
§ 7-4-52
Unsafe conditions
§ 7-4-53
Handrails and guardrails
§ 7-4-54
Accumulation of rubbish or garbage
§ 7-4-55
Disposal or rubbish
§ 7-4-56
Rubbish storage facilities
§ 7-4-57
Refrigerators
§ 7-4-58
Disposal of garbage
§ 7-4-59
Garbage facilities
§ 7-4-6
Exemptions
§ 7-4-60
Containers
§ 7-4-61
Infestation
§ 7-4-62
Owner
§ 7-4-63
Single occupant
§ 7-4-64
Multiple occupancy
§ 7-4-65
Occupant
§ 7-4-7
Inspections
§ 7-4-8
Vacant property registry
§ 7-4-9
Collection of unpaid fees
§ 7-5-1
Scope
§ 7-5-10
Process ventilation
§ 7-5-11
Clothes dryer exhaust
§ 7-5-12
Privacy
§ 7-5-13
Minimum room widths
§ 7-5-14
Minimum ceiling heights
§ 7-5-15
Bedroom and living room requirements
§ 7-5-16
Room area
§ 7-5-17
Access from bedrooms
§ 7-5-18
Water closet accessibility
§ 7-5-19
Prohibited occupancy
§ 7-5-2
Responsibility
§ 7-5-20
Other requirements
§ 7-5-21
Sleeping area
§ 7-5-22
Efficiency unit
§ 7-5-23
Food preparation
§ 7-5-3
Alternative devices
§ 7-5-4
Habitable spaces
§ 7-5-5
Common halls and stairways
§ 7-5-6
Other spaces
§ 7-5-7
Habitable spaces
§ 7-5-8
Bathrooms and toilet rooms
§ 7-5-9
Cooking facilities
§ 7-6-1
Scope
§ 7-6-10
Fixture clearances
§ 7-6-11
Plumbing system hazards
§ 7-6-12
General
§ 7-6-13
Contamination
§ 7-6-14
Supply
§ 7-6-15
Water heating facilities
§ 7-6-16
Nonpotable water reuse systems
§ 7-6-17
Abandonment of systems
§ 7-6-18
General
§ 7-6-19
Maintenance
§ 7-6-2
Responsibility
§ 7-6-20
Storm drainage
§ 7-6-3
Dwelling units
§ 7-6-4
Rooming houses
§ 7-6-5
Public toilet facilities
§ 7-6-6
Privacy
§ 7-6-7
Location
§ 7-6-8
Floor surface
§ 7-6-9
General
§ 7-7-1
Scope
§ 7-7-10
Safety controls
§ 7-7-11
Combustion air
§ 7-7-12
Energy conservation devices
§ 7-7-13
Facilities required
§ 7-7-14
Service
§ 7-7-15
Electrical system hazards
§ 7-7-16
Abatement of electrical hazards associated with water exposure
§ 7-7-17
Electrical equipment
§ 7-7-18
Abatement of electrical hazards associated with fire exposure
§ 7-7-19
Electrical equipment
§ 7-7-2
Responsibility
§ 7-7-20
Installation
§ 7-7-21
Receptacles
§ 7-7-22
Light fixtures
§ 7-7-23
Wiring
§ 7-7-24
General
§ 7-7-3
Facilities required
§ 7-7-4
Residential occupancies
§ 7-7-5
Heat supply
§ 7-7-6
Room temperature measurement
§ 7-7-7
Mechanical appliances
§ 7-7-8
Removal of combustion products
§ 7-7-9
Clearances
§ 7-8-1
Scope
§ 7-8-10
Fire blocking and draft stopping
§ 7-8-11
Smoke barriers and smoke partitions
§ 7-8-12
Fire walls, fire barriers, and fire partitions
§ 7-8-13
Opening protectives
§ 7-8-14
Signs
§ 7-8-15
Hold-open devices and closers
§ 7-8-16
Door operation
§ 7-8-17
Ceilings
§ 7-8-18
Testing
§ 7-8-19
Vertical shafts
§ 7-8-2
Responsibility
§ 7-8-20
Opening protective closers
§ 7-8-21
Inspection, testing and maintenance
§ 7-8-22
Installation
§ 7-8-23
Required fire protection systems
§ 7-8-24
Fire protection systems
§ 7-8-25
Standards
§ 7-8-26
Table—Fire protection system maintenance standards
§ 7-8-27
Records
§ 7-8-28
Records information
§ 7-8-29
Systems out of service
§ 7-8-3
General
§ 7-8-30
Emergency impairments
§ 7-8-31
Removal of or tampering with equipment
§ 7-8-32
Removal of or tampering with appurtenances
§ 7-8-33
Removal of existing occupant-use hose lines
§ 7-8-34
Termination of monitoring service
§ 7-8-35
Fire department connection
§ 7-8-36
Fire department connection access
§ 7-8-37
Clear space around connections
§ 7-8-38
Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms
§ 7-8-39
Where required
§ 7-8-4
Aisles
§ 7-8-40
Group R-1
§ 7-8-41
Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and I-1
§ 7-8-42
Installation near cooking appliances
§ 7-8-43
Installation near bathrooms
§ 7-8-44
Interconnection
§ 7-8-45
Power source
§ 7-8-46
Smoke detection system
§ 7-8-47
Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms
§ 7-8-48
General
§ 7-8-49
Dwelling units
§ 7-8-5
Locked doors
§ 7-8-50
Sleeping units
§ 7-8-51
Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors
§ 7-8-6
Emergency escape openings
§ 7-8-7
Fire-resistance-rated assemblies
§ 7-8-8
Unsafe conditions
§ 7-8-9
Maintenance
§ 7-9-1
Registration certificate required
§ 7-9-10
Rejection of application
§ 7-9-11
Appeals
§ 7-9-12
Failure to register
§ 7-9-13
Certificate renewal and transferability
§ 7-9-14
Suspension or revocation of registration certificate
§ 7-9-15
Legislative intent
§ 7-9-16
Definitions
§ 7-9-17
Conduct on licensed premises
§ 7-9-18
License suspension and revocation
§ 7-9-19
Prospective tenant background investigations
§ 7-9-2
Application for registration certificate
§ 7-9-20
Declaration of nuisance
§ 7-9-3
Application forms
§ 7-9-4
Applications
§ 7-9-5
Registration certificate standards
§ 7-9-6
Compliance with zoning requirements
§ 7-9-7
Investigation
§ 7-9-8
Issuance and posting of registration certificate
§ 7-9-9