Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-20
Protective treatment (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Exterior surfaces, including but not limited to, doors, door and window frames, cornices, porches, trim, balconies, decks and fences, shall be maintained in good condition. Exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by painting or other protective covering or treatment. Peeling, flaking and chipped paint conditions which extend more than 25 percent of the surface area of any plane or wall or other area shall be eliminated and surfaces repainted. Siding and masonry joints, as well as those between the building envelope and the perimeter of windows, doors and skylights, shall be maintained weather resistant and water tight. Metal surfaces subject to rust or corrosion shall be coated to inhibit such rust and corrosion, and surfaces with rust or corrosion shall be stabilized and coated to inhibit future rust and corrosion. Oxidation stains shall be removed from exterior surfaces. Surfaces designed for stabilization by oxidation are exempt from this requirement.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-20 establishes standards for the upkeep of exterior building surfaces, including doors, windows, porches, decks, fences, siding, and masonry. Wood surfaces must be protected from decay through paint or other coatings, and peeling or chipped paint covering more than 25 percent of any surface plane must be remediated and repainted. Metal surfaces prone to rust must be coated to prevent corrosion, and oxidation stains must be removed, though surfaces intentionally designed to oxidize are exempt from that last requirement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-20 generally keep all exterior surfaces—including wood trim, siding, masonry joints, metal components, and perimeter seals around windows and doors—in good, weather-resistant condition. Compliant operators routinely inspect for peeling or chipped paint and address any deterioration that has spread beyond 25 percent of a surface plane before it triggers a code violation. Maintaining records of protective treatments, repainting schedules, and rust-inhibiting coatings applied to metal surfaces can help demonstrate ongoing compliance during inspections.
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 § 7-4-20 gives tenants a basis to raise concerns when exterior surfaces such as siding, window frames, porches, or fences are visibly deteriorating, showing widespread peeling paint, rust, or failing weather seals. Tenants who observe these conditions may document them with photographs and report the issue to Rochester's local code enforcement or housing inspection office, which has authority to inspect and require corrective action. Tenant-rights organizations in the Rochester area can help residents understand how this provision may relate to habitability concerns or other protections available under local and state law.
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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