Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-40
Doors (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Doors providing access to a dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit that is rented, leased or let shall be equipped with a deadbolt lock designed to be readily openable from the side from which egress is to be made without the need for keys, special knowledge or effort and shall have a minimum lock throw of one inch (25 mm). Such deadbolt locks shall be installed according to the manufacturer's specifications and maintained in good working order. For the purpose of this section, a sliding bolt shall not be considered an acceptable deadbolt lock.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-40 requires that every door providing access to a rented dwelling unit, rooming unit, or housekeeping unit be fitted with a deadbolt lock that has a minimum one-inch throw. The lock must be openable from the inside without a key, special knowledge, or unusual effort, and sliding bolts do not qualify. Landlords must install these locks according to manufacturer specifications and keep them in good working order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-40, compliant operators ensure that every access door to a rented unit has a qualifying deadbolt—one with at least a one-inch throw, installed per manufacturer instructions, and operable from the egress side without a key or special effort. Sliding bolts are explicitly excluded and should not be used as a substitute. Routine maintenance checks help confirm that all deadbolts remain in good working order throughout the tenancy.
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 § 7-4-40 gives tenants the right to have access doors equipped with a properly installed, one-inch-throw deadbolt that can be opened from the inside without a key or special effort—sliding bolts do not satisfy this requirement. If a rental unit's door lacks a compliant deadbolt or the lock is not maintained in working order, tenants may consider documenting the condition and raising the issue with Rochester's code enforcement or housing inspection authorities. Tenant-rights organizations in the Rochester area can also help residents understand available options, including raising a code violation as a defense in relevant proceedings.
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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