Victoria, Minn., Mun. Code art. 103-V (2026) § 103-122
Space And Occupancy Standards
Operative Text
No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be let for occupancy to another which does not comply with the following requirements: Room dimensions. Room dimensions shall comply with the following requirements: Ceiling heights. Habitable space shall have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet measured to the lowest projection from the ceiling. Where exposed beam ceiling members are spaced at less than 48 inches on center, ceiling height shall be measured to the bottom of these members. If any room in a building has a sloping ceiling, the prescribed ceiling height for the room is required in only one-half the area thereof. No portion of the room measuring less than five feet from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall be included in any computation of the minimum area thereof. Floor area. Dwelling units and congregate residences shall have at least one room for common living area that shall have not less than 120 square feet of floor area. Rooms used for sleeping purposes by one person shall have an area of not less than 70 square feet. Where more than one person occupies a room used for sleeping purposes, the required floor area shall be 50 square feet for each occupant. Width. No habitable room other than a kitchen shall be less than seven feet in any dimension. Kitchen. Every dwelling unit shall have a room or portion of a room in which food may be prepared and/or cooked, which shall have adequate circulation area, and which shall be equipped with the following: A kitchen sink that is in good working condition and properly connected to a water supply system which is approved by the appropriate authority and which provides at all times an adequate amount of heated and unheated running water under pressure, and which is connected to a sewer system approved by the city. Sinks shall be of nonabsorbent materials. A stove, or similar device, for cooking food, and a refrigerator, or similar device, for the safe storage of food at temperatures less than 45 degrees Fahrenheit but more than 32 degrees Fahrenheit under ordinary maximum summer conditions, which are properly installed with all necessary connections for safe, sanitary and efficient operation; provided that such stove, refrigerator, and/or similar devices need not be installed when a dwelling unit is not occupied and when the occupant is expected to provide same on occupancy, and that sufficient space and adequate connections for the safe and efficient installation and operation of said stove, refrigerator and/or similar devices are provided. Cooking shall not be permitted in any rooming unit or dormitory unit, and a cooking facility or appliance shall not be permitted to be present in a rooming unit or dormitory unit. Lighting. All enclosed portions of the dwelling unit customarily occupied by human beings shall be provided with natural light by means of exterior glazed openings with an area not less than one-eighth of the total floor area, or shall be provided with artificial light. Such openings shall open directly onto a public way or a yard or court. Public hallways, corridors, stairways and other exit facilities shall be adequately lighted. Ventilation. Guestrooms and habitable rooms within a dwelling unit shall be provided with natural ventilation by means of openable exterior openings with an area of not less than four percent of the floor area of such rooms with a minimum of four square feet. Exterior openings for natural ventilation shall be provided with tight-fitting insect screens. Bathrooms, water closet compartments and similar rooms shall be provided with natural ventilation by means of openable exterior openings with an area not less than four percent of the floor area of such rooms with a minimum of 1½ square feet. In lieu of required exterior openings for natural ventilation in bathrooms containing a bathtub, shower or combination thereof, and similar rooms, a working mechanical ventilation system connected directly to the outside. Sanitation. All sanitary facilities shall be installed and maintained in a safe and sanitary condition and in accordance with applicable requirements of the plumbing code. Dwelling unit. Dwelling units shall be provided with a bathroom equipped with facilities consisting of a water closet, lavatory, and either a bathtub or shower. Rooming units. Where private water closets are not provided, there shall be provided at least one bathroom accessible from a public hallway. Bathroom accessibility. Where bathrooms are shared by rooming units by occupants of a dwelling unit, the bathroom shall be located so that no occupant has to pass through another occupant's room to use the facility. Room separations. Every water closet, bathtub or shower required by this section shall be installed in a room that will afford privacy to the occupant. Bathrooms shall be separated from food preparation areas by a tight-fitting door. Floor coverings. Bathroom floors shall have a smooth, hard nonabsorbent surface such as vinyl tile, vinyl sheet goods, ceramic tile or concrete. Floor surfaces shall be maintained in good condition so the floor can be maintained in a sanitary condition. (Code 1998, § 8-123; Ord. No. 349, 4-12-2007)
Victoria's Rental Housing Code § 103-122 establishes minimum physical standards that every dwelling or dwelling unit must meet before it can be rented out. These standards cover ceiling heights (generally at least seven feet), floor area (at least 120 square feet for a common living area, with sleeping rooms sized by occupancy), room widths, kitchen equipment, natural light and ventilation, sanitary facilities, and bathroom construction. The provision also prohibits cooking in rooming or dormitory units and requires that bathrooms be accessible without passing through another occupant's private space.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators renting residential units in Victoria are expected to audit each unit against the detailed physical benchmarks set out in § 103-122 before any tenancy begins. A compliant operator ensures that habitable rooms meet the prescribed ceiling heights and floor-area minimums, that kitchens are equipped with functioning sinks, stoves, and refrigerators (or that adequate connections are provided when appliances are tenant-supplied), and that ventilation openings, natural lighting, and sanitary facilities all meet the code's stated thresholds. Rooming and dormitory units must be kept free of cooking facilities, and bathroom access must be arranged so no occupant must pass through another's private room.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Victoria have a right to occupy a unit that meets the space and occupancy minimums established by § 103-122, including adequate room sizes, proper kitchen equipment, functioning ventilation and lighting, and accessible, private sanitary facilities. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards—for example, a sleeping room that seems undersized or a bathroom that requires passing through another occupant's space—tenants may consider documenting the conditions and reaching out to the local code enforcement or housing authority to request an inspection. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Victoria's Rental Housing Code can help explain what options are generally available, including raising a code violation as part of a housing complaint.
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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