Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-19

Prohibited occupancy (Rochester Housing Code)

In Force
Verified 10/12/2026 · Next check 11/11/2026
RochesterOccupancy Standards

Operative Text

Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-19
Kitchens and nonhabitable spaces shall not be used for sleeping purposes.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-19 establishes that kitchens and spaces not classified as habitable rooms cannot lawfully serve as sleeping areas. The rule draws a clear line between spaces designed for living and sleeping versus those intended for cooking or utility purposes. This applies regardless of how a space is arranged or marketed.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on September 15, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-19, compliant property operators ensure that no rental unit is configured, advertised, or leased in a way that designates a kitchen or nonhabitable space as a sleeping area. Operators generally review floor plans and lease terms to confirm that only rooms meeting habitability standards are counted as sleeping spaces. Routine inspections of occupied units can help identify and correct any arrangements that conflict with this provision.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-19 means that a landlord cannot lawfully require or permit a tenant to sleep in a kitchen or any space that does not qualify as a habitable room. If a tenant believes their housing arrangement violates this provision, general options include contacting Rochester's local code enforcement office or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance. Documenting the physical layout of the space can be useful when raising a concern 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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Related Rules

§ 244.810
Required space in dwelling units
§ 244.820
Dwelling unit to be occupied by one (1) family
§ 244.830
Arrangement of rooms

Source Information