Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-44
General (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
The interior of a structure and equipment therein shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and in a sanitary condition. Occupants shall keep that part of the structure that they occupy or control in a clean and sanitary condition. Every owner of a structure containing a rooming house, housekeeping units, two or more dwelling units, or two or more nonresidential occupancies, shall maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, the shared or public areas of the structure and exterior property.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-44 establishes a shared responsibility for maintaining the interior of residential and nonresidential structures. Building owners are responsible for keeping shared and public areas, as well as the exterior property, clean, sanitary, and structurally sound. Individual occupants bear responsibility for the cleanliness and sanitary condition of the specific spaces they occupy or control.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-44, owners of rooming houses, housekeeping units, buildings with two or more dwelling units, or two or more nonresidential occupancies are generally expected to keep all shared hallways, common areas, and exterior property in a clean, sanitary, and structurally sound condition. Compliant operators typically conduct routine inspections of common spaces, address structural deficiencies promptly, and document maintenance activities. Keeping records of repairs and cleaning schedules can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
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 § 7-4-44 gives occupants both a right to a structurally sound and sanitary living environment and a responsibility to keep their own occupied spaces clean and sanitary. If shared or public areas of a building are not being maintained in compliance with this provision, tenants may have the option of raising the violation as a defense in certain proceedings, filing a complaint with Rochester's local code enforcement office, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance. Documenting conditions with photographs and written records can be useful when pursuing any of these general paths.
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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