Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-2-3
Applicability and scope (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Every portion of a building or premises used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, except hotels, motels, rest homes, convalescent homes, hospitals, and nursing homes, shall comply with the provisions of the housing code irrespective of when such building has been constructed, altered or repaired, except as hereinafter provided, and any construction, alteration, or repair thereof or changes of use therein, which are required by the provisions of the housing code, shall be done in accordance with applicable provisions of the building code. If any provision of the housing code is inconsistent with a comparable and applicable provision of the building code, the provision of the building code shall govern to the extent of such inconsistency. As used in this section, the term "inconsistent" refers to any provisions which are conflicting or contradictory, and shall also refer to provisions provided by the building code which are not found in the housing code.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-2-3 establishes that virtually all residential dwellings in Rochester—regardless of when they were built, altered, or repaired—must meet the city's housing code standards. Certain institutional or transient lodging facilities, such as hotels, motels, hospitals, and nursing homes, are explicitly excluded from this requirement. When the housing code and the building code conflict on the same subject, the building code's provisions take precedence, and the term 'inconsistent' is defined broadly to include both direct contradictions and topics covered by the building code but absent from the housing code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-2-3, operators of residential rental properties are generally expected to maintain compliance with the housing code across all dwelling units, no matter how old the structure is or when renovations were last performed. When undertaking any construction, alteration, or repair work, compliant operators ensure that such work also satisfies the applicable building code, particularly in areas where the two codes may overlap or conflict. Keeping documentation of inspections, permits, and completed repairs helps demonstrate ongoing adherence to both codes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-2-3 means that tenants living in residential dwellings have the protection of the city's housing code regardless of the age or condition of the building at the time they moved in. If a dwelling appears to fall short of housing code standards, tenants generally have the option of reporting concerns to the city's code enforcement or housing inspection office, or raising a code violation as a relevant factor in other housing proceedings. Consulting a local tenant-rights organization can help residents understand which specific standards apply to their situation and what general remedies 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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