Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-7-17
Electrical equipment (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Electrical distribution equipment, motor circuits, power equipment, transformers, wire, cable, flexible cords, receptacles, attachments plugs, flanged surface devices, panel boards, wiring devices, ground fault circuit interrupters, arc-fault circuit interrupters, surge protectors, molded case circuit breakers, low-voltage and medium-voltage fuses and fuse holders, luminaires, lamp holders and retrofit kits, listed low-voltage lighting systems or a lighting system assembled from listed parts, fire pump controllers, ballasts, motors and electronic control, signaling, equipment that provides branch-circuit ground-fault protection, low-voltage power circuit breaker electronic trip units, and communication equipment that have been exposed to water shall be replaced in accordance with the provisions of the International Building Code. Exception: The following equipment shall be allowed to be repaired where an inspection report from the equipment manufacturer or approved manufacturer's representative indicates that the equipment has not sustained damage that requires replacement: (1) Enclosed switches, rated a maximum of 600 volts or less; (2) Busway, rated a maximum of 600 volts; (3) Switchboards, rated a maximum of 600 volts; (4) Manual and magnetic motor controllers; (5) Motor control centers; (6) Alternating current high-voltage circuit breakers; (7) Protective relays, meters and current transformers; (8) Low- and medium-voltage switchgear; (9) Liquid-filled transformers; (10) Cast-resin transformers; (11) Wire or cable that is suitable for wet locations and whose ends have not been exposed to water; (12) Wire or cable, not containing fillers, that is suitable for wet locations and whose ends have not been exposed to water; (13) Motors; (14) Electronic control, signaling and communication equipment.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-7-17 establishes that a wide range of electrical components — including wiring, panel boards, circuit breakers, luminaires, and communication equipment — must be replaced rather than simply repaired when they have been exposed to water, following the standards of the International Building Code. However, the rule carves out a meaningful exception: certain categories of equipment, such as switchgear, motors, and liquid-filled transformers, may be repaired instead of replaced if a qualified manufacturer or approved manufacturer's representative inspects the equipment and documents in writing that no damage requiring replacement has occurred. This provision applies broadly to any situation where water exposure has affected covered electrical systems, making post-flood or post-leak electrical assessments a regulated activity in Rochester.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-7-17 generally ensure that any electrical equipment on the provision's replacement list is fully replaced — not patched or dried out — following water exposure, in conformance with the International Building Code. For equipment categories listed under the exception, compliant operators typically obtain a written inspection report from the equipment manufacturer or an approved manufacturer's representative before proceeding with repair rather than replacement. Maintaining documentation of water-exposure incidents, inspection reports, and replacement or repair records is a practice consistent with demonstrating compliance with § 7-7-17.
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 § 7-7-17 gives tenants a basis to expect that water-damaged electrical equipment in their rental unit or building will be properly addressed — through replacement or, where the exception applies, through a documented manufacturer inspection — rather than left in a potentially unsafe condition. If a tenant believes water-exposed electrical components have not been replaced or inspected as required by § 7-7-17, general enforcement paths include reporting the concern to the City of Rochester's code enforcement or building inspection office. Tenant-rights organizations in Minnesota can also help residents understand how this provision interacts with habitability standards and what documentation to request from a landlord.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.