Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-52
Unsafe conditions (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Where any of the following conditions cause the component or system to be beyond its limit state, the component or system shall be determined as unsafe and shall be repaired or replaced to comply with the International Building Code or the International Existing Building Code as required for existing buildings: (1) Soils that have been subjected to any of the following conditions: a. Collapse of footing or foundation system; b. Damage to footing, foundation, concrete or other structural element due to soil expansion; c. Adverse effects to the design strength of footing, foundation, concrete or other structural element due to a chemical reaction from the soil; d. Inadequate soil as determined by a geotechnical investigation; e. Where the allowable bearing capacity of the soil is in doubt; or f. Adverse effects to the footing, foundation, concrete or other structural element due to the ground water table. (2) Concrete that has been subjected to any of the following conditions: a. Deterioration; b. Ultimate deformation; c. Fractures; d. Fissures; e. Spalling; f. Exposed reinforcement; or g. Detached, dislodged or failing connections. (3) Aluminum that has been subjected to any of the following conditions: a. Deterioration; b. Corrosion; c. Elastic deformation; d. Ultimate deformation; e. Stress or strain cracks; f. Joint fatigue; or g. Detached, dislodged or failing connections. (4) Masonry that has been subjected to any of the following conditions: a. Deterioration; b. Ultimate deformation; c. Fractures in masonry or mortar joints; d. Fissures in masonry or mortar joints; e. Spalling; f. Exposed reinforcement; or g. Detached, dislodged or failing connections. (5) Steel that has been subjected to any of the following conditions: a. Deterioration; b. Elastic deformation; c. Ultimate deformation; d. Metal fatigue; or e. Detached, dislodged or failing connections. (6) Wood that has been subjected to any of the following conditions: a. Ultimate deformation; b. Deterioration; c. Damage from insects, rodents, birds, and other vermin; d. Fire damage beyond charring; e. Significant splits and checks; f. Horizontal shear cracks; g. Vertical shear cracks; h. Inadequate support; i. Detached, dislodged or failing connections; or j. Excessive cutting and notching. Exceptions: (1) Where substantiated otherwise by an approved method. (2) Demolition of unsafe conditions shall be permitted where approved by the code official.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-52 establishes a detailed list of structural and material conditions—covering soils, concrete, aluminum, masonry, steel, and wood—that render a building component or system legally "unsafe." When any of these conditions push a component beyond its limit state, the provision requires that the component be repaired or replaced in accordance with the International Building Code or the International Existing Building Code. Two exceptions exist: the unsafe designation can be rebutted by an approved alternative method, or the code official may authorize demolition of the unsafe condition instead of repair.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-52 generally maintain ongoing inspection programs to identify the enumerated deterioration, deformation, fracture, and connection-failure conditions across all structural materials. When a covered condition is identified, compliant operators arrange for qualified professionals to assess whether the component has exceeded its limit state and, if so, to carry out code-conforming repairs or replacement. Operators who believe a condition does not meet the unsafe threshold typically document that position through an approved method, as the provision allows for substantiated exceptions reviewed by the code official.
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 § 7-4-52 gives tenants a basis to raise concerns when structural components in their building—such as deteriorating wood, cracked masonry, or compromised foundations—appear to match the unsafe conditions the provision enumerates. Tenants who observe such conditions may consider documenting them with photographs and dates, then reporting them to Rochester's code enforcement office, which has authority to require repairs or replacement under this section. Tenant-rights organizations in Minnesota can help residents understand how this provision interacts with habitability rights and what general options exist for following up on unresolved code complaints.
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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