Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-3-52
General (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
The code official shall order the owner or owner's authorized agent of any premises upon which is located any structure, which in the code official's or owner's authorized agent judgment after review is so deteriorated or dilapidated or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, insanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy, and such that it is unreasonable to repair the structure, to demolish and remove such structure; or if such structure is capable of being made safe by repairs, to repair and make safe and sanitary, or to board up and hold for future repair or to demolish and remove at the owner's option; or where there has been a cessation of normal construction of any structure for a period of more than two years, the code official shall order the owner or owner's authorized agent to demolish and remove such structure, or board up until future repair. Boarding the building up for future repair shall not extend beyond one year, unless approved by the building official.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-3-52 establishes the authority of the code official to act when a structure is found to be dangerously deteriorated, dilapidated, or otherwise unfit for human habitation. Depending on the severity of the condition, the rule allows for the structure to be repaired, boarded up temporarily, or demolished and removed entirely. When construction on a structure has been halted for more than two years, the code official may similarly require demolition or temporary boarding, with any boarding period capped at one year unless the building official grants an extension.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-3-52, property owners and their authorized agents are expected to maintain structures in a condition that is safe, sanitary, and fit for occupancy. When a code official determines that a structure has fallen into serious disrepair, compliant operators generally respond promptly to any official order—whether that means undertaking repairs, arranging for demolition, or securing the building—and they do not allow a boarding arrangement to lapse past the one-year limit without obtaining approval from the building official. Owners who have paused construction for an extended period should be aware that a stoppage exceeding two years can independently trigger an order to demolish or board up the structure.
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 § 7-3-52 is designed to protect occupants by giving the code official authority to compel owners to address structures that are dangerous, unsanitary, or otherwise unfit for habitation. Tenants who believe their building has fallen into a seriously deteriorated or unsafe condition may consider contacting Rochester's code enforcement office to request an inspection. Tenant-rights organizations in the Rochester area can also help residents understand what options may be available when a property is subject to an order under this provision.
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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