Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-7-4
Residential occupancies (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Dwellings shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68°F (20°C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms based on the winter outdoor design temperature for the locality indicated in Appendix D of the International Plumbing Code. Cooking appliances shall not be used, nor shall portable unvented fuel-burning space heaters be used, as a means to provide required heating.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-7-4 establishes that every dwelling must have a heating system capable of reaching at least 68°F (20°C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms, measured against the local winter outdoor design temperature referenced in Appendix D of the International Plumbing Code. The rule also prohibits two specific workarounds: using cooking appliances as a heat source and using portable unvented fuel-burning space heaters as a substitute for required heating. This provision sets a baseline comfort and safety standard for residential occupancies in Rochester, Minnesota.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-7-4, compliant property operators maintain a permanently installed heating system that can reliably reach 68°F across all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms during Rochester's coldest design-temperature conditions. Operators generally document that their heating equipment meets the capacity standard and ensure that neither cooking appliances nor portable unvented fuel-burning space heaters are positioned or used as primary or supplemental required heat sources. Routine inspection and maintenance of heating systems before and during the winter season is a common practice among operators seeking to stay in compliance with 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 § 7-7-4 gives occupants the right to a dwelling with a heating system capable of maintaining 68°F in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms; the rule also prohibits landlords from relying on cooking appliances or portable unvented fuel-burning space heaters to meet that standard. If a rental unit cannot reach the required temperature or if a landlord is directing tenants to use prohibited heating methods, tenants may have grounds to report the condition to Rochester's Code Enforcement division, which oversees compliance with local housing ordinances. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help occupants understand the range of options available under § 7-7-4, including how a heating deficiency might be raised in other housing proceedings.
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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