Columbia Heights, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 5A (2026) § 5A.204

(A) General . The interior of a structure and equipment therein shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and in a sanitary condition. Occupants shall keep that part of the structure, which they occupy or control, in a clean and sanitary condition. Every owner of a structure containing a rooming house, housekeeping units, a hotel, a dormitory, two or more dwelling units or nonresidential occupancies, shall maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, the shared or public areas of the structure and exterior property.


(B) Structural members . All structural members shall be maintained structurally sound, and be capable of supporting the imposed loads.


(C) Interior surfaces . All interior surfaces, including windows and doors, shall be maintained in good, clean, sanitary and weatherproofed condition. Peeling, chipping, flaking or abraded paint or other surface coverings shall be repaired, removed or covered. Cracked or loose plaster, holes, decayed wood and other damaged or defective surface conditions shall be corrected. Interior surfaces may not be covered wholly or partially by toxic paint or materials with a lasting toxic effect. All interior surfaces shall be protected against the passage and harborage of vermin and rodents. Interior surfaces that are part of a fire rated assembly shall be maintained to the intended rating. Mold shall be removed from all surfaces and sub-surfaces. The cause of the mold shall be found and abated to prevent reoccurrence. Standing water and water damage shall be investigated to find and abate the source. Surfaces that are wet and/or damaged from water shall be thoroughly dried, cleaned or replaced.


(D) Stairs and walking surfaces . Every stair, ramp, landing, balcony, porch, deck or other walking surface shall be maintained in sound condition, free of hazards, and in good repair. Every stairway or flight of stairs, whether inside or outside of a dwelling, and every porch or balcony shall be kept in safe condition, sound repair, and free of deterioration. Every stairwell and every flight of stairs shall have handrails which conform to the standards set forth in the Minnesota State Building Code. Every porch, balcony or deck which is more than 30 inches high shall have a guardrail installed and maintained to § 5A.205 (F). No flight of stairs shall have settled out of its intended position or have pulled away from the supporting or adjacent structures enough to cause a hazard. No flight of stairs may have rotting, loose or deteriorating surfaces and supports. The treads and risers of every flight of stairs, except spiral or winding stairways, shall be essentially uniform in width and height.


(E) Interior doors . Interior doors shall be maintained free of defects, holes, or damage. Every interior door shall fit reasonably well within its frame and shall be capable of being opened and closed by being properly and securely attached to jambs, headers or tracks as intended by the manufacturer of the attachment hardware. Door hardware shall be maintained in working condition.


(F) Guards and handrails . Every handrail and guard shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition. Handrails and guards shall be installed and maintained to the requirements of the Minnesota State Building Code and Minnesota State Fire Code.


(G) Pets . Interior of structures where animals are allowed to roam, including cages, caged areas, and litter boxes shall be maintained free of an accumulation of animal waste that may cause an odor that could affect the health of the animal and residents and adversely affect adjoining spaces or dwelling units.


(Ord. 1532, passed 11-26-07) Penalty, see § 5A.702