Winona, Minn., City Code ch. 33A (2026) § 33A.11
Substandard Buildings
Operative Text
33A.11 - SUBSTANDARD BUILDINGS
(a) General. Any building or portion thereof that is determined to be an unsafe
building in accordance with the Building Code, or any building or portion thereof,
including any dwelling unit, guest room or suite of rooms, or the premises on
which the same is located, in which there exists any of the conditions referenced
in this section to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety
or welfare of the public or the occupants thereof, shall be deemed and hereby
are declared to be substandard buildings.
(b) Inadequate Sanitation. Buildings or portions thereof shall be deemed
substandard when they are unsanitary. Inadequate sanitation shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
1. Lack of or improper water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower in a dwelling
unit or rooming unit.
2. Lack of or improper kitchen sink in a dwelling unit.
3. Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a dwelling unit
or rooming unit.
4. Lack of adequate heating facilities.
5. Lack of or improper operation of required ventilating equipment.
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6. Lack of minimum amounts of natural light and ventilation required by this
chapter.
7. Room and space dimensions less than required by this chapter.
8. Lack of required electrical lighting.
9. Dampness of habitable rooms.
10. Infestation of insects, vermin or rodents.
11. General dilapidation or improper maintenance.
12. Lack of connection to required sewage disposal system.
13. Lack of adequate garbage and rubbish storage and removal facilities.
(c) Structural Hazards. Buildings or portions thereof shall be deemed substandard
when they are or contain structural hazards. Structural hazards shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
1. Deteriorated or inadequate foundations.
2. Defective or deteriorated flooring or floor supports.
3. Flooring or floor supports of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with
safety.
4. Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that split, lean, list
or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
5. Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that are of
insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
6. Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports, or other horizontal
members that sag, split or buckle due to defective material or
deterioration.
7. Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports, or other horizontal
members that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
8. Fireplaces or chimneys that list, bulge or settle due to defective material
or deterioration.
9. Fireplaces or chimneys that are of insufficient size or strength to carry
imposed loads with safety.
(d) Nuisances. Buildings, or portions thereof, in which there exists any nuisance as
defined in this chapter are deemed substandard buildings.
(e) Hazardous Electrical Wiring. Electrical wiring that was installed in violation of the
Electrical Code requirements in effect at the time of installation or Minnesota
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Statutes, Section 326B.35, SAFETY STANDARDS, or electrical wiring not
installed in accordance with generally accepted construction practices in areas
where no codes were in effect or that has not been maintained in good condition
or that is not being used in a safe manner or that has been inspected as required
in Minnesota Statutes, Section 326B.36, INSPECTION, shall be considered
substandard.
(f) Hazardous Plumbing. Plumbing that was installed in violation of Minnesota State
Plumbing Code requirements in effect at the time of installation or plumbing not
installed in accordance with generally accepted construction practices in areas
where no codes were in effect or that has not been maintained in good condition
or that is not free of cross-connections or siphonage between fixtures shall be
considered substandard.
(g) Hazardous Mechanical Equipment. Mechanical equipment that was installed in
violation of Minnesota State Mechanical Code requirements in effect at the time
of installation or mechanical equipment not installed in accordance with generally
accepted construction practices in areas where no codes were in effect or that
has not been maintained in good and safe condition shall be considered
substandard.
(h) Faulty Weather Protection. Buildings or portions thereof shall be considered
substandard when they have faulty weather protection which shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
1. Deteriorated, crumbling or loose plaster.
2. Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roof,
foundations or floors, including broken windows or doors.
3. Defective or lack of weather protection for exterior wall coverings,
including lack of paint, or weathering due to lack of paint or other
approved protective covering.
4. Broken, rotted, split or buckled exterior wall coverings or roof coverings.
(i) Fire Hazard. Any building or portion thereof, device, apparatus, equipment,
combustible waste, or vegetation that, in the opinion of the chief of the fire
department, is in such a condition as to cause a fire or explosion or provide a
ready fuel to augment the spread and intensity of fire or explosion arising from
any cause shall be considered substandard.
(j) Faulty Materials of Construction. The use of materials for construction, except
those that are specifically allowed or approved by this code and the Building
Code, and that have not been adequately maintained in good and safe condition,
shall cause a building to be substandard.
(k) Hazardous or Unsanitary Premises. The accumulation of weeds, vegetation,
junk, dead organic matter, debris, garbage, offal, rat harborages, stagnant water,
combustible materials, and similar materials or conditions on the premises
constitutes fire, health or safety hazards.
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(l) Inadequate Exits. Except for those buildings or portions thereof that have been
provided with adequate exit facilities conforming to the provisions of this chapter,
buildings or portions thereof whose exit facilities were installed in violation of
chapter requirements in effect at the time of their construction or whose exit
facilities have not been increased in number or width in relation to any increase
in occupant load due to alterations, additions or change in use or occupancy
subsequent to the time of construction shall be considered substandard.
Notwithstanding compliance with code requirements in effect at the time of their
construction, buildings or portions thereof shall be considered substandard when
the building official finds that an unsafe condition exists through an improper
location of exits, a lack of an adequate number or width of exits, or when other
conditions exist that are dangerous to human life.
(m) Inadequate Fire-protection or Firefighters Equipment. Buildings or portions
thereof shall be considered substandard when they are not provided with the fire-
resistive construction or fire-extinguishing systems or equipment required by this
chapter, except those buildings or portions thereof that conformed with all
applicable laws at the time of their construction and whose fire-resistive integrity
and fire-extinguishing systems or equipment have been adequately maintained
and improved in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition,
or any change in occupancy.
(n) Improper Occupancy. All buildings or portions thereof occupied for living,
sleeping, cooking or dining purposes that were not designed or intended to be
used for such occupancies shall be considered substandard.Winona City Code Ch. 33A § 33A.11 establishes a detailed framework for identifying rental buildings as "substandard," covering a broad range of conditions that threaten the health, safety, or welfare of occupants or the public. The provision groups these conditions into categories such as inadequate sanitation, structural hazards, faulty wiring or plumbing, fire hazards, insufficient exits, and improper occupancy, among others. A building or any portion of it can be declared substandard if even one of these enumerated conditions exists to a degree that poses a meaningful risk. The section also covers outdoor premises, meaning hazardous accumulations of debris, vegetation, or combustible materials on the property can trigger a substandard designation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 33A.11 of Winona's rental housing code, compliant property operators routinely maintain all sanitation systems—including plumbing, heating, ventilation, and sewage connections—in proper working order and ensure that electrical, mechanical, and structural components meet applicable code standards. Operators generally keep premises free of pest infestations, accumulated debris, and combustible materials, and verify that exit facilities and fire-protection equipment remain adequate relative to the building's current occupant load and use. Because the section covers a wide range of conditions—from deteriorated foundations and faulty weather protection to improper occupancy—diligent operators conduct regular inspections across all of these categories to identify and address deficiencies before a formal substandard determination is made.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 33A.11 of Winona City Code Ch. 33A gives occupants a basis to raise concerns when their dwelling exhibits conditions such as lack of hot water, pest infestations, structural deterioration, hazardous wiring, or inadequate exits—any of which can support a formal finding that the building is substandard. Tenants who believe their unit or building meets one or more of these conditions may consider filing a complaint with the City of Winona's code enforcement or housing inspection office, which has authority to investigate and act on substandard designations. Consulting a local tenant-rights organization can help occupants understand how a substandard finding under § 33A.11 might relate to other remedies available under Minnesota law.
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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