Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-8-19
Vertical shafts (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Interior vertical shafts, including stairways, elevator hoist ways and service and utility shafts, which connect two or more stories of a building shall be enclosed or protected as required in Chapter 11 of the International Fire Code. New floor openings in existing buildings shall comply with the International Building Code.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-8-19 establishes that interior vertical shafts — such as stairwells, elevator shafts, and utility shafts — that span two or more floors must be enclosed or protected in accordance with Chapter 11 of the International Fire Code. Additionally, any new floor openings created in existing buildings must meet the standards set by the International Building Code. This rule is primarily a fire and structural safety measure aimed at limiting the spread of fire, smoke, and hazardous conditions through a building's vertical passageways.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-8-19, compliant property operators generally ensure that all multi-story vertical shafts — including stairways, elevator hoistways, and service or utility shafts — are enclosed or protected in the manner prescribed by Chapter 11 of the International Fire Code. When undertaking renovations or alterations that introduce new floor openings in an existing building, operators typically verify that those openings conform to the International Building Code before work is completed. Routine inspections and documentation of shaft enclosures and fire-rated assemblies are practices commonly associated with maintaining 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 § 7-8-19 is a building safety provision that protects occupants by requiring proper enclosure or protection of vertical shafts — like stairwells and elevator shafts — that connect multiple floors. Tenants who observe what appears to be an unenclosed or inadequately protected shaft, or an improperly constructed floor opening, may have grounds to raise a concern with Rochester's local code enforcement or building inspection authority. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources can help occupants understand how this provision relates to habitability standards and what general options exist for reporting potential violations.
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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