Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-7
Habitable spaces (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Every habitable space shall have not less than one openable window. The total openable area of the window in every room shall be equal to not less than 45 percent of the minimum glazed area required in section 7-5-4 . Exception: Where rooms and spaces without openings to the outdoors are ventilated through an adjoining room, the unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall be not less than eight percent of the floor area of the interior room or space, but not less than 25 square feet (2.33 m 2 ). The ventilation openings to the outdoors shall be based on a total floor area being ventilated.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-7 requires that every habitable space include at least one window that can be opened, with the total openable area meeting a minimum percentage of the glazed area specified in the code. When a room lacks direct outdoor openings, it may instead be ventilated through an adjoining room, provided the connecting opening and the adjoining room's outdoor ventilation meet specific size thresholds. This rule is designed to ensure that occupants of residential spaces have access to adequate natural ventilation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Rochester should ensure that every habitable room complies with Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-7 by providing at least one openable window whose total openable area meets the minimum percentage tied to the glazed area standard in § 7-5-4. For interior rooms without direct outdoor openings, compliant operators verify that the unobstructed passage to an adjoining room is at least eight percent of the interior room's floor area and no less than 25 square feet, with the adjoining room's outdoor ventilation calculated on the combined floor area. Routine inspections of windows and ventilation openings help confirm that these requirements remain satisfied over time.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-7, tenants are entitled to habitable spaces that include functional, openable windows or, where applicable, properly sized ventilation connections to adjoining rooms with outdoor access. If a window is inoperable, blocked, or a room appears to lack the required ventilation, tenants may consider documenting the condition and contacting Rochester's local code enforcement or housing inspection office to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations in the Rochester area can also provide general information about how ventilation deficiencies may relate to habitability standards and available remedies.
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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