Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 34 § 34.17
Rooming units on residential properties
Operative Text
No person shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any rooming unit in any residential structure unless the rooming unit and residential structure comply with the following requirements: (1) Toilet, hand sink and bathing facilities. Every rooming unit or guest room shall have available a toilet, hand sink and bathtub or shower. All these facilities shall be: a. Located within the residential structure; b. Directly accessible or accessible from a heated passageway to all persons sharing the facilities without going outside the residential structure; c. Located within a room or rooms which afford privacy and are separate from the habitable rooms; and d. Located on the same floor as, or a floor adjacent to, the rooming unit served by the facilities. At least one (1) toilet, hand sink and bathtub or shower shall be supplied for each five (5) persons or fraction thereof residing in a residential structure and using the shared facilities. (2) Minimum floor area for sleeping purposes. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one (1) person shall contain at least seventy (70) square feet of floor area. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by two (2) or more persons shall contain at least sixty (60) square feet of floor area for each occupant thereof. (3) Bed linen and towels. The owner or operator shall change supplied bed linen and towels therein at least once each week, and prior to the letting of any room to another occupant. The owner or operator shall be responsible for the maintenance of all supplied bedding and towels in a clean and sanitary manner. (4) Shades, drapes, etc. Every window of every rooming unit shall be supplied with shades, drapes or other devices or materials which, when properly used, will afford privacy to the occupant of the rooming unit. (5) Maintenance of walls, floors, etc. The occupant shall be responsible for the sanitary maintenance of all walls, floors and ceilings of the rooming unit. Supplied equipment and every other part of the rooming units and the common, shared or public areas is the responsibility of the owner or operator.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.17 establishes baseline habitability standards for rooming units in residential structures. The rule sets requirements for shared toilet, sink, and bathing facilities—including their location, accessibility, and the ratio of fixtures to occupants—as well as minimum sleeping-room floor areas, linen and towel upkeep, window privacy coverings, and the division of maintenance responsibilities between occupants and owners. No rooming unit may be occupied or rented unless both the unit and the overall structure meet all of these conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.17, compliant operators of rooming houses generally ensure that shared bathrooms are accessible via a heated interior passageway, that at least one toilet, hand sink, and tub or shower is available for every five residents using shared facilities, and that these fixtures are on the same floor as—or a floor adjacent to—the units they serve. Operators also supply and launder bed linen and towels at least weekly and before any new occupant moves in, provide window coverings that afford privacy in every rooming unit, and maintain all common and shared areas in good repair. Sleeping rooms are sized to meet the minimums of 70 square feet for a single occupant and 60 square feet per person for multiple occupants.
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 § 34.17 gives rooming-unit residents the right to accessible, private bathroom facilities in a ratio of no more than five people per toilet, sink, and tub or shower, as well as sleeping space that meets defined square-footage minimums. Tenants are entitled to clean bed linen and towels changed at least weekly and to window coverings that provide privacy, while the owner or operator bears responsibility for maintaining all shared equipment and common areas. Residents who believe these standards are not being met may consider contacting Saint Paul's housing inspection or code enforcement office, reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, or raising the violation as a defense in relevant 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 November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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