Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-7-9

Clearances (Rochester Housing Code)

In Force
Verified 10/12/2026 · Next check 11/11/2026
RochesterSpecific Conditions

Operative Text

Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-7-9
Required three feet clearances to combustible materials shall be maintained.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-7-9 establishes that a minimum three-foot buffer must be kept between heat-producing equipment or open flames and any combustible materials in a rental dwelling. This clearance requirement is a fire-safety standard designed to reduce the risk of accidental ignition. The rule applies on an ongoing basis, meaning the space must be maintained continuously, not just at the time of initial inspection.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on September 15, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-7-9, compliant property operators routinely inspect heating appliances, water heaters, and similar equipment to confirm that no combustible materials — such as stored boxes, furniture, or flammable liquids — are within three feet of those heat sources. Operators typically document these inspections and address any encroachments promptly. Maintaining clear records of routine checks can demonstrate ongoing compliance if a code inspector visits the property.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-7-9 gives occupants a basis to expect that combustible materials are kept at least three feet away from heat-producing equipment in their dwelling. If a tenant observes a clearance violation — for example, stored items crowding a furnace or water heater — they may report the condition to Rochester's code enforcement office for inspection. Tenant-rights organizations in the area can explain available options, including how a documented code violation may be relevant to habitability concerns.

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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