Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-9
Cooking facilities (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Unless approved through the certificate of occupancy, cooking shall not be permitted in any rooming unit or dormitory unit, and a cooking facility or appliance shall not be permitted to be present in the rooming unit or single room occupancy. Exceptions: (1) Where specifically approved in writing by the code official. (2) Devices such as coffee pots, refrigerators, microwave ovens shall not be considered cooking appliances.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-9 prohibits cooking in rooming units and dormitory units unless the certificate of occupancy specifically authorizes it, and bars the presence of cooking facilities or appliances in rooming units and single room occupancy units. A written approval from the code official can create an exception to this rule. Notably, common small appliances such as coffee pots, refrigerators, and microwave ovens are not classified as cooking appliances under this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming houses, dormitories, and single room occupancy facilities in Rochester should be aware that Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-5-9 restricts cooking activities and the presence of cooking appliances in these unit types unless the certificate of occupancy permits it or written approval has been obtained from the code official. Compliant operators typically review their certificates of occupancy to confirm what is authorized and ensure that no unauthorized cooking appliances are present in covered units. Items like coffee pots, microwaves, and refrigerators are explicitly excluded from the definition of cooking appliances, so their presence in units does not constitute a violation under this section.
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 § 7-5-9, residents of rooming units, dormitory units, and single room occupancy units have a right to understand what cooking activities and appliances are permitted in their specific unit type, which depends on the certificate of occupancy or any written approval from the code official. Tenants should know that devices such as coffee pots, microwaves, and refrigerators are not treated as cooking appliances under this provision. Those who believe this provision is being applied incorrectly or who have questions about their rights may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or the Rochester code enforcement office for guidance.
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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