Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-6-3
Dwelling units (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Every dwelling unit shall contain its own bathtub or shower, lavatory, water closet and kitchen sink that shall be maintained in a sanitary, safe working condition. The lavatory shall be placed in the same room as the water closet or located in close proximity to the door leading directly into the room in which such water closet is located. A kitchen sink shall not be used as a substitute for the required lavatory.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-6-3 requires that every dwelling unit include its own bathtub or shower, lavatory (sink), toilet, and kitchen sink, all kept in safe, sanitary working order. The lavatory must be in the same room as the toilet or very close to the entrance of that room. A kitchen sink does not satisfy the requirement for a lavatory, and the two fixtures serve distinct, non-interchangeable purposes under this rule.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-6-3, compliant property operators ensure that each dwelling unit contains all four required fixtures — bathtub or shower, lavatory, toilet, and kitchen sink — and that each is maintained in safe, sanitary working condition at all times. Operators also verify that the lavatory is positioned in or immediately adjacent to the toilet room, not merely elsewhere in the unit. Routine inspections and prompt repairs help demonstrate ongoing compliance with the fixture and placement requirements of 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 § 7-6-3 gives occupants of every dwelling unit the right to a functioning bathtub or shower, lavatory, toilet, and kitchen sink, all in sanitary and safe working condition. If any of these fixtures are missing, broken, or improperly placed — for example, if the lavatory is located far from the toilet room — that may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who believe their unit does not meet these standards can document the conditions, notify their landlord in writing, and explore options such as filing a complaint with Rochester's local code enforcement office or contacting a tenant-rights organization for general 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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