St. Paul Park, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. IV § 18-66

Maintenance standards

In Force
Verified 11/13/2026 · Next check 2/11/2027
St. Paul ParkInspections, Registration & Licensing

Operative Text

St. Paul Park, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. IV § 18-66
(a) Minimum standards. Every rental dwelling shall be maintained in accordance with the minimum standards set forth in state law and the City Code, in addition to any other permits issued by the city or the state.
(b) Implementation standards. In administering this code, the code official will treat the following as conditions constituting an immediate hazard to health and safety that must be corrected by the compliance date stated in the compliance order:
(1) Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors shall be required as follows:
a. One smoke detector installed in each sleeping room.
b. One smoke detector installed on each level near the sleeping rooms and stairways. All battery operated smoke detectors shall be installed as per the manufacturer's instructions. During any remodeling (excluding minor remodeling as determined by the building official) all smoke detectors shall be hardwired and interconnected.
c. All existing single-family dwellings shall be equipped with an approved carbon monoxide detector located within ten feet of each sleeping room.
d. All multi-family dwelling units shall be equipped with an approved carbon monoxide detector located within ten feet of each sleeping room.
e. Exception: Multi-family dwellings may have approved and operational carbon monoxide alarms installed between 15 feet and 25 feet of carbon monoxide producing central fixtures, provided there is a centralized alarm system or other mechanism for responsible parties to hear the alarm at all times.
(2) Unsafe, inadequate heating. Heating systems, dryer venting, wood burning stoves, fireplaces, and oil burners that are unsafe due to: burned out or rusted heat exchangers (fire box); burned out, rusted, or plugged flues or drip tees; improper flue pitch; improper flue clearances; improper venting; improper gas piping or gas valve installation; or being incapable of adequately heating the living space.
(3) Dryer exhaust ducts. Dryer exhaust ducts shall be metal and installed per the current mechanical code.
(4) Unsafe electrical systems. Electrical systems that are unsafe due to: exposed busbar at panel, dangerous overloading, damaged or deteriorated equipment, improperly tapped or spliced wiring, exposed uninsulated wires, distribution systems of extension cords or other temporary methods, and ungrounded systems. Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection must be provided for all receptacle outlets in bathrooms, garages, grade level portions of unfinished accessory buildings, unfinished basements, kitchen countertops, wet bars and the exterior.
(5) Unsafe, unsanitary plumbing systems. Plumbing systems that are unsafe or unsanitary due to: leaking or improper waste and venting of fixtures and traps, lack of water closet or washing and bathing facilities, or cross connection of the potable water supply. All potable water systems shall be protected against backflow and back siphonage by providing an air gap and/or backflow prevention. Water heaters that are unsafe due to: burned or rusted heat exchangers (fire box); burned, rusted, improperly pitched, or plugged venting; improper flue clearance; leaking tanks; improper gas piping, or gas valve installation; or leaking/corroded connections and temperature/pressure relief valves.
(6) Imposed loads. Structural systems, walls, chimneys, ceilings, roofs, foundations and floor systems that will not safely carry imposed loads.
(7) Unfit for human occupancy or use. Refuse, garbage, human waste and animal, decaying vermin or other dead animals, animal waste and other materials rendering the dwelling and property unsanitary for human occupancy or use.
(8) Infestation. Infestation of rats, insects and other vermin.
(9) Stairways; guardrails; handrails. Stairways, guardrails, and handrails shall be maintained in a safe compliant manner. Should corrective measures be required, all affected components shall be repaired compliant with current codes and standards.
(10) Below grade escape wells. Below grade escape wells shall be free of obstructions, constructed and maintained in a safe and Code compliant manner. Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches below adjacent ground level shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position.
(11) Foundation. The foundation shall be substantially watertight and protected against vermin and rodents and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. The foundation element shall adequately support the building at all points.
(12) Sidewalks; stoop; concrete steps. Sidewalks, stoop, and concrete steps shall be maintained free of large cracks and breaks. All exterior concrete shall pitch away from the building.
(13) Exterior walls, soffit and fascia, and roof. The exterior walls and roof shall be substantially watertight and protected against vermin and rodents and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. Every exterior wall shall be free of deterioration, holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers, and any other condition, which might allow water intrusion within the interior portion of the walls or to the exterior spaces of the building. The roof shall be tight and have no defects, which allow water intrusion. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent moisture from causing dampness within the walls. All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint or other protective covering or treatment.
(14) Exterior doors, windows, and insect screens. Every window, exterior door and other exterior openings shall be substantially tight and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. Every operable window shall be capable of being easily opened. Every window, door, screen, and frame shall completely exclude water intrusion, wind, vermin and rodents from entering the building. Insect screens shall be installed on all operable windows and shall be maintained in a sound condition and repair. Garages, attached or detached, shall have a fully operational overhead door or bam type door which must be kept in sound condition and repair.
(15) Yards. All trees, shrubs and brush growing against any building or fence which represents a hazard to the structural integrity of any building shall be removed or trimmed to prevent damage. All yards shall be graded so as to not affect the character of the immediate residential area.
(16) Grading and Drainage. All premises shall be graded and maintained to prevent the erosion of soil and to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water. All surface water shall drain away from the foundation walls of all dwellings. Damaged gutters and downspouts shall be repaired or removed.
(c) Interior inspection. The building official, building inspector, housing inspector, fire department personnel, police officers and their respective representatives are authorized inspectors who may enter buildings for purpose of making inspections reasonably necessary to enforce this Code. All authorized inspectors noted in this section have the authority to enter any building at all reasonable times.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

St. Paul Park Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. IV § 18-66 establishes minimum maintenance standards that all rental dwellings must meet, incorporating state law requirements alongside local code. The provision identifies a detailed list of conditions—ranging from missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to unsafe electrical systems, inadequate heating, structural deficiencies, and poor drainage—that are treated as immediate hazards to health and safety. When any of these conditions are found, they must be corrected by the date specified in a compliance order issued by the code official. Authorized inspectors, including building officials, housing inspectors, fire department personnel, and police officers, may enter rental properties at reasonable times to enforce these standards.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on November 13, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under St. Paul Park Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. IV § 18-66, compliant rental property operators routinely verify that every sleeping room has a functioning smoke detector, that carbon monoxide detectors are placed within ten feet of each sleeping room, and that heating, electrical, and plumbing systems are free of the specific defects enumerated in the provision. Operators also keep structural elements—foundations, roofs, exterior walls, stairways, and guardrails—in sound, watertight condition and ensure that yards, drainage, and exterior surfaces meet the code's standards. Because authorized inspectors may enter at any reasonable time, maintaining ongoing documentation of inspections, repairs, and equipment installations supports a clear record of compliance.

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

For Tenants

St. Paul Park Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. IV § 18-66 gives tenants a basis to expect that their rental dwelling is free from the hazardous conditions listed in the provision, including absent smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, unsafe heating or electrical systems, infestations, and structural deficiencies. If a tenant observes any of these conditions, they may report them to the city's code enforcement or building inspection office, which has authority to issue compliance orders requiring correction by a specified date. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision are not being honored may also consult a local tenant-rights organization for information about available options.

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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Related Rules

§ 14.544
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
§ 14.545
STANDARDS FOR HEALTH, SAFETY AND NUISANCE PREVENTION
§ 14.546
SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES

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