Willmar, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 6.5, art. II § 6.5-51
Maximum density, minimum space, use and location requirements
Operative Text
No person shall occupy or let to be occupied any rental unit, for the purpose of living therein, unless there is compliance with the requirements of this section. (1) The maximum occupancy of any dwelling unit shall not exceed the following requirement: For the first occupant there shall be at least 150 square feet of floor space and there shall be at least 100 square feet of floor space for every additional occupant thereof; the floor space to be calculated on the basis of total habitable room area. (2) The ceiling height of any habitable room shall be at least seven feet; except that in any habitable room under a sloping ceiling at least one-half of the floor area shall have a ceiling height of at least seven feet, and the floor area of that part of such a room where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy. (3) No dwelling or dwelling unit containing two or more sleeping rooms shall have such room arrangements that access to a bathroom or water closet compartment intended for use by occupants of more than one sleeping room can be had only by going through another sleeping room; nor shall room arrangements be such that access to a sleeping room can be had only by going through another sleeping room. A bathroom or water closet compartment shall not be used as the only passageway to any habitable room, hall, basement or cellar or to the exterior of the dwelling unit. (4) Every dwelling unit shall have closet/storage space for the personal effects of each permissible occupant.
Willmar Code of Ordinances ch. 6.5, art. II § 6.5-51 establishes minimum space and layout standards for rental units. The first occupant requires at least 150 square feet of habitable floor space, with at least 100 additional square feet for each subsequent occupant; ceiling heights must reach at least seven feet in habitable rooms. The rule also prohibits room arrangements where a sleeping room or bathroom serves as the only passageway to another room, and requires that every unit include storage space for each permitted occupant's personal belongings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Willmar Code of Ordinances ch. 6.5, art. II § 6.5-51, compliant operators calculate total habitable floor area carefully before determining how many occupants a unit may lawfully accommodate, accounting for the sloped-ceiling exclusion when applicable. Operators also ensure that sleeping rooms and bathrooms are accessible without passing through another sleeping room, and that no bathroom serves as the sole corridor to any other habitable space. Providing adequate closet or storage space for each permissible occupant is likewise a baseline requirement before a unit may be let.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Willmar Code of Ordinances ch. 6.5, art. II § 6.5-51 gives renters the right to occupy a unit that meets minimum space-per-person thresholds, proper ceiling heights, logical room access, and sufficient storage. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards—such as having inadequate square footage for the number of occupants or requiring passage through a bedroom to reach a bathroom—tenants may consider documenting the conditions and contacting the City of Willmar's code enforcement or housing inspection office to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations in Minnesota can also help renters understand how these standards apply and what local complaint or inspection processes are available.
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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