Victoria, Minn., Mun. Code art. 103-V (2026) § 103-110

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. Where terms, phrases or words are not defined, they shall have their ordinarily accepted meanings within the context in which they are used. 

Accessory structure means a subordinate building or use, whether attached or detached, that is located upon the same lot on which the main building or use is situated and which is reasonably necessary and incidental to the conduct of the primary use of such building or main use. 

Approved, when used in reference to the design and capabilities of physical systems of a dwelling, means having passed the inspection of the building official. The basis for passage of said inspection shall be an analysis of the effective state codes and an analysis of the degree to which such systems meet the standards established by such codes. It shall be the objective of the building official, unless otherwise specified, to establish minimum qualifications for approval of such system, which qualifications can maintain substantial compliance with the effective state codes and can be achieved in a reasonably economical and practical manner. 

Building means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy. 

Building official means the building official and his designated agents authorized to administer and enforce this article. 

Dwelling means a building or portion thereof designated exclusively for residential occupancy, including one-family, two-family and multiple-family dwellings, but not including hotels, motels and boardinghouses. 

Dwelling, multiple-family (apartment), means a building designed with three or more dwelling units exclusively for occupancy by three or more families living independently of each other, but sharing hallways and main entrances and exits. 

Dwelling, single-family, means a dwelling designed exclusively for occupancy by one family.Attached means a dwelling which is joined to another at one or more sides by a party wall.
Detached means a dwelling unit not attached to another dwelling or structure.
Dwelling, two-family, means a dwelling designed exclusively for occupancy by two families living independently of each other.Double bungalow means a two-family dwelling with two units side by side.
Duplex means a two-family dwelling with one unit above the other.
Dwelling unit means a residential building or portion thereof intended for occupancy by one family, but not including hotels, motels, nursing homes, boardinghouses or roominghouses or recreational vehicles. 

Family. See Household. 

Flush water closet means a toilet, with a bowl and trap made in one piece, which is connected to the city water and sewer system or other approved water supply and sewer supply. 

Garbage means putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food. 

Habitable building means any building or part thereof that meets minimum standards for use as a home or place of abode by one or more persons. 

Habitable room means a room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundries, furnace rooms, unfinished basements (those without required ventilation, required electric outlets and required exit facilities), pantries, utility rooms of less than 50 square feet of floor space, foyers, communicating corridors, stairways, closets, storage spaces and workshops, hobby and recreation areas in parts of the structure below ground level or in attics. 

Heated water means water heated to a temperature of not less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or such lesser temperature required by government authority, measured at the faucet outlet. 

Household. The following are included in the term "household" as such term is used in this article:An individual;
A group of not more than three individuals, none of whom are related by blood, marriage, adoption or foster care, but all of whom are maintaining a common residence and using common cooking and kitchen facilities;
Up to two adult individuals, whether related or unrelated, residing in the same dwelling unit and maintaining a common residence and common cooking and kitchen facilities, and the dependent children of each, if any; or
The combination of subsections (1) and (3) of this definition.
Kitchen means a space which contains a sink with counter working space, adequate space for installing cooking and refrigeration equipment and adequate space for the storage of cooking utensils. 

Lease means an agreement to rent. For use as a verb, see Rent. 

Minimum standards means those standards as set forth in section 103-122. 

Occupant means any person, including the owner or operator, sleeping, cooking and eating in a dwelling unit. 

Operator means the owner or its agent who has charge, care, control or management of a building, or part thereof, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let. 

Owner means any person who alone, jointly or severally with others shall be in actual possession of, or have charge, care or control of, any dwelling or dwelling units within the city as title holder, employee or agent of the title holder or as trustee or guardian of the estate or person of the title holder. Any such person representing the actual title holder shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this article to the same extent as the title holder. 

Permissible occupancy means the maximum number of persons permitted to reside in a dwelling unit. 

Person means an individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation or joint venture or organization of any kind. 

Plumbing means all of the following supplied facilities and equipment in a dwelling: gas pipes, gas burning equipment, water pipes, steam pipes, garbage disposal units, waste pipes, water closets, sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories, bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes washing machines, catchbasins, drains, vents and any other similar fixtures and the installation thereof, together with all connections to water, sewer and gas lines. 

Premises means a platted lot or part thereof or unplatted parcel of land occupied by any dwelling or nondwelling structure, including any such building, accessory structure or other structure thereon. 

Public hall means a hall, corridor or passageway for providing egress from a dwelling unit to a public way and not within the exclusive control of one family. 

Refuse means all putrescible and nonputrescible waste solids, including garbage and rubbish. 

Rent means to obtain occupancy or use of another's property, or to grant temporary occupancy or use of one's own property, in return for periodic payments or compensation. 

Rental dwelling means a dwelling let for rent or lease. 

Rental dwelling unit means a dwelling unit let for rent or lease. 

Repair means to restore to a sound and acceptable state of operation, serviceability or appearance. 

Rodent harborage means any place where rodents can live, nest or seek shelter. 

Rubbish means nonputrescible solid wastes consisting of both combustible and noncombustible wastes, such as paper, cardboard, tin cans, grass and shrubbery clippings, wood, glass, brick, plaster, bedding, crockery and similar materials. 

Safety means the condition of being reasonably free from danger and hazards which may cause accidents or disease. 

Substandard dwelling means any dwelling which does not conform to the minimum standards established by city ordinances. 

Supplied means paid for, furnished by, provided by or under the control of the owner, operator or agent of a dwelling.
Whenever the terms "dwelling," "dwelling unit," "premises" and "structure" are used in this article, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words "or any part thereof."
(Code 1998, § 8-111; Ord. No. 349, 4-12-2007; Ord. No. 398, 3-7-2016)