Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-7-5
Heat supply (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling units or sleeping units on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat during any date where the outside air temperature, as measured at the Rochester International Airport, falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain a minimum temperature of 68°F (20°C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-7-5 establishes a heat-supply obligation for rental properties. Whenever the outside air temperature at Rochester International Airport drops below 50°F, landlords who have agreed—expressly or implicitly—to provide heat must maintain at least 68°F (20°C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms. The rule applies to any building where one or more dwelling or sleeping units are rented out under such an arrangement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-7-5, compliant operators monitor the official temperature benchmark—readings taken at Rochester International Airport—and ensure heating systems are capable of maintaining 68°F (20°C) throughout all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms whenever that benchmark falls below 50°F. Operators who have made any agreement, written or informal, to supply heat are covered by this requirement. Keeping maintenance logs, scheduling seasonal HVAC inspections, and having an emergency repair protocol are practices commonly associated with meeting this standard.
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 § 7-7-5 gives renters the right to adequate heat—at least 68°F (20°C) in habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms—whenever Rochester International Airport records outside temperatures below 50°F, provided the landlord agreed to supply heat. If a unit is not being heated to that minimum, tenants generally have options such as documenting the temperature shortfall in writing, notifying the landlord of the deficiency, and contacting Rochester's local code enforcement or housing inspection office to file a complaint. Tenant-rights organizations in the Rochester area can help explain what documentation and steps are typically relevant under this provision.
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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