Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-3-48
Closing streets (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
When necessary for public safety, the code official shall temporarily close structures and close, or order the authority having jurisdiction to close, sidewalks, streets, public ways and places adjacent to unsafe structures, and prohibit the same from being utilized.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-3-48 grants the code official authority to temporarily close buildings and nearby public spaces—including sidewalks, streets, and other public ways—when an unsafe structure poses a threat to public safety. The closure can be carried out directly by the code official or by ordering the appropriate authority to act. The provision also allows the code official to prohibit use of those areas for the duration of the safety concern.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-3-48, property owners whose structures are deemed unsafe may find that the code official temporarily closes not only the building itself but also adjacent public areas such as sidewalks and streets. Operators who maintain their properties in a safe, code-compliant condition are less likely to trigger this authority. Keeping up with routine inspections, structural maintenance, and prompt remediation of identified hazards are practices generally associated with compliant property management.
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 § 7-3-48 means that if a structure is considered unsafe, tenants and the general public may be prohibited from accessing it or nearby public spaces by order of the code official. If you believe a building you occupy or frequent has been improperly closed, or if you have concerns about an unsafe structure that has not been addressed, you may contact the Rochester code enforcement office to report the issue. Tenant-rights organizations can also help explain what options may be available when a closure affects your housing situation.
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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