Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 6 § 6.04
DWELLINGS; OPEN FLAME AND FUEL STORAGE; SMOKE DETECTORS (Bloomington Fire Prevention Code)
Operative Text
(a) Open flame prohibited. In any multiple-family residence that includes three or more dwelling units where dwelling units are configured vertically above and below other dwelling units as defined in § 21.601, no person shall kindle, maintain, or cause any fire or open flame on any balcony above ground level, or on any ground floor patio within 15 feet of the structure. (1) Exception. Propane grills are allowed on balconies and ground floor patios of townhouses constructed of two or more attached units in which each unit extends from the foundation to the roof and having open space on at least two sides of each unit as defined in the Minnesota State Residential Code. (b) Fuel storage prohibited. In any two-family dwelling, townhouse or multiple-family dwelling as defined in § 21.601, no person shall store or use any fuel, barbecue, torch or other similar heating or lighting chemical or device. (1) National Fire Protection Association 58 § 8.3.5 as referenced and adopted by the MSFC restricts the storage of LP gas cylinders within a residential building, including the basement or any storage area in a common basement of a multiple-family building and attached or detached garages, shall be limited to cylinders each with a maximum water capacity of 2.7 lb and shall not exceed 5.4 lb aggregate water capacity per each living space unit. (c) Approved grills. Listed electric grills plugged directly into an electrical outlet or listed natural gas-fired barbecue grills that are permanently mounted and plumbed to the building's gas supply and that maintain a minimum clearance of 18 inches on all sides, or manufacturers required clearance, whichever is greater, may be installed on balconies and patios. (1) Installation of grills. Natural gas grills can be installed as noted above. These grills shall be installed permanently by being fastened in place and meet the clearance requirements of the owner's manual. A permit shall be obtained from the Building and Inspection Division before installation. The connections shall be done by a licensed gas fitter. (d) Smoke detectors. The installation and placement of smoke detectors in dwellings, apartment houses, hotels, and lodging houses shall be governed by M.S. § 299F.362, subd. 9 and the Minnesota State Building Code, M.S. Ch. 326B. (Ord. 2023-6 , passed 3-20-2023; Ord. 2024-28 , passed 11-18-2024)
Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 6.04 establishes fire-safety rules for multi-family and two-family residential properties. In vertically stacked multi-family buildings of three or more units, open flames and fires are banned on balconies and on ground-floor patios within 15 feet of the structure, with a limited exception for propane grills at qualifying townhouses. The ordinance also restricts fuel and barbecue device storage across two-family, townhouse, and multi-family dwellings, while permitting certain approved electric and permanently plumbed natural gas grills that meet specific clearance requirements. Smoke detector installation is governed by Minnesota state law and the Minnesota State Building Code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers overseeing multi-family or two-family dwellings in Bloomington should familiarize themselves with the open-flame and fuel-storage restrictions under § 6.04 and communicate them clearly to residents through lease terms, move-in materials, and posted notices. Operators who wish to offer approved natural gas grill installations on balconies or patios generally ensure that a permit is obtained from the Building and Inspection Division beforehand and that a licensed gas fitter performs all connections. Compliant operators also verify that LP gas cylinder storage on the property conforms to the NFPA 58 § 8.3.5 limits referenced in § 6.04(b)(1), and that smoke detectors are installed in accordance with M.S. § 299F.362 and the Minnesota State Building Code.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents living in multi-family or two-family buildings in Bloomington have a right to housing that complies with the fire-safety standards set out in § 6.04, including the prohibition on open flames in stacked-unit buildings and the restrictions on fuel storage. If a tenant believes a landlord is permitting conditions that violate these rules—such as improper grill use or non-compliant LP gas storage—they may raise the issue directly with the landlord in writing, contact the Bloomington Building and Inspection Division, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance. Tenants concerned about smoke detector placement or functionality can also reference the state standards incorporated by § 6.04(d) when communicating with their landlord or a relevant agency.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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