Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 34 § 34.10
Interior structures on residential properties
Operative Text
The owner of any premises regulated by this section, shall maintain the interior property in compliance with these requirements, except as otherwise provided in this Code. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy premises which are not in a sanitary and safe condition and which do not comply with the requirements of this chapter. (1) Basements. Every basement and crawl space shall be maintained reasonably free from dampness and free of any mold or mildew. Every basement area accessible to tenants shall have its floor paved with concrete or other durable, dustless surfacing to permit such floor to be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (2) Structural members. The supporting structural members shall be maintained structurally sound, showing no evidence of deterioration and shall be capable of bearing imposed loads in accordance with the building code in effect at the time of construction or as altered/modified under an approved building permit. (3) Stairs. a. Every stairwell shall be kept in a professional state of maintenance and repair, be constructed safely and be capable of supporting a load in accordance with the building code in effect at the time of construction or as altered/modified under an approved building permit. Every stairway, porch, balcony, or deck shall have guardrails. b. Every flight of stairs shall be maintained in a professional state of maintenance and repair and in accordance with the building code in effect at the time of construction or as altered/modified under an approved building permit. Every required handrail and guard shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting imposed loads and shall be maintained in a professional state of maintenance and repair and in accordance with the building code in effect at the time of construction or as altered/modified under an approved building permit. (4) Bathroom floors. Every bathroom floor surface shall be kept in a professional state of maintenance and repair and be constructed and maintained substantially impervious to water to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (5) Sanitation. The interior shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of refuse or garbage. (6) Insect and rodent harborage. Every owner of a structure shall be responsible for the control and/or elimination of insects, rodents or other pests wherever infestation exists. (7) Interior walls, floors, ceilings, woodwork and cabinets. All interior walls, floors, ceiling, woodwork and cabinets must be maintained in a sound condition and in a professional state of maintenance and repair. (8) Use of paint containing lead: a. No person shall apply paint or other surface-covering material containing lead equal to or greater than six-hundredths (0.06) percent by weight of the total solids contained in such paint or surface-covering material to the interior or exterior surface of any residential structure. b. No interior surface of any residential structure or accessory thereto shall have exposed accumulated paint or surface-covering material containing lead equal to or greater than one-half of one (0.5) percent by weight, or in excess of one (1) milligram per square centimeter of surface area if such paint or surface-covering material is blistered, cracked, flaked, scaled or chalked away.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.10 establishes that the interior of any regulated residential property must be kept in a safe, sanitary, and structurally sound condition. This covers a wide range of elements — from basements and crawl spaces being free of dampness, mold, and mildew, to stairs, handrails, and guardrails meeting load-bearing standards, to bathroom floors being water-resistant, to walls, ceilings, and cabinets being in sound repair. The provision also prohibits the application of lead-containing paint above specified thresholds and requires that any existing lead paint in a deteriorated condition not be left exposed. Pest control and general cleanliness, including freedom from refuse and garbage accumulation, are also required under this section.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.10, property owners and managers are generally expected to conduct regular inspections of interior spaces — including basements, stairwells, bathrooms, and common areas — to ensure each element meets the structural, sanitary, and safety standards described in the provision. Compliant operators typically address moisture intrusion, mold, and mildew in basements promptly, keep stairways and handrails firmly fastened and load-bearing, and ensure bathroom floors remain water-resistant and cleanable. Owners are also responsible for pest control throughout the structure and must not apply lead-based paint above the thresholds specified in § 34.10(8), while also ensuring any deteriorating lead paint is not left in an exposed, flaking, or chalking condition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.10 gives tenants a basis to expect that the interior of their rental unit and shared spaces — including basements, stairways, bathrooms, walls, ceilings, and cabinets — are maintained in a safe, sanitary, and structurally sound condition. If conditions such as mold in the basement, broken handrails, pest infestations, or deteriorating paint are present, tenants may have grounds to raise a violation of § 34.10 when communicating with their landlord or when engaging with local housing inspection authorities in Saint Paul. Tenants who believe their unit does not meet these standards may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or the city's housing inspection office to understand what complaint or enforcement options may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 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.