Columbia Heights, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 5A (2026) § 5A.207
LIGHT
Operative Text
(A) Nonresidential occupancies . Lighting shall be installed and maintained to the requirements of the Minnesota State Building Code and city code. (B) Residential occupancies . (1) Every habitable space shall have at least one window of approved size facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total glazed area for every habitable space shall be 8% of the floor area of such room. Wherever walls or other portions of a structure face a window of any room and such obstructions are located less than three feet (914 mm) from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors nor to a court and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area for the room. (2) Exception. Where natural light for rooms or spaces without exterior glazing areas is provided through an adjoining room, the unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall be at least 8% of the floor area of the interior room or space, but not less than 25 square feet (2.33 m 2 ). The exterior glazing area shall be based on the total floor area being served. (C) Common halls and stairways . Every common hall and stairway in residential occupancies, other than in one- and two-family dwellings, shall be lighted at all times. Where natural light is not sufficient, common halls and stairways are to be lighted with at least a 60-watt standard incandescent light bulb for each 200 square feet (19 m 2 ) of floor area or equivalent illumination, provided that the spacing between lights shall not be greater than 30 feet (9144 mm). A minimum of one footcandle (11 lux) shall be provided on the exterior pathway from the structure to the parking areas and garages. In other than residential occupancies, means of egress, including exterior means of egress stairways shall be illuminated at all times the building space served by the means of egress is occupied with a minimum of one footcandle (11 lux) at floors, landings and treads. (D) Other spaces . All other spaces shall be provided with natural or artificial light sufficient to permit the maintenance of sanitary conditions, and the safe occupancy of the space and utilization of the appliances, equipment and fixtures. (Ord. 1532, passed 11-26-07) Penalty, see § 5A.702
Columbia Heights Ch. 5A Rental Housing § 5A.207 establishes minimum lighting standards for rental properties. Every habitable room must have a window covering at least 8% of the room's floor area that faces directly outdoors or to a court, with specific rules about when obstructions disqualify a window from counting toward that requirement. Common hallways and stairways in multi-unit residential buildings must be lit at all times, and exterior pathways to parking areas must provide at least one footcandle of illumination. All other spaces must have enough natural or artificial light to allow safe use and sanitary maintenance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential rental properties in Columbia Heights are generally expected to verify that every habitable room meets the glazed-area requirement set out in § 5A.207 — at least 8% of the room's floor area — and that no obstructing structure within three feet of a window disqualifies it from counting toward that minimum. Common halls and stairways in buildings with more than two units must remain lit at all times, with bulbs or equivalent fixtures spaced no more than 30 feet apart, and exterior pathways to parking must reach the one-footcandle threshold. Compliant operators routinely inspect and maintain lighting in all spaces, including non-habitable areas, to ensure safe and sanitary conditions as required by § 5A.207.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Columbia Heights Ch. 5A Rental Housing § 5A.207, tenants in residential units are entitled to habitable rooms with adequate natural light through properly sized and unobstructed windows, as well as continuously lit common hallways and stairways in multi-unit buildings. If a unit or common area appears to fall short of these standards — for example, a room whose only window is blocked by a structure within three feet — that condition may constitute a code violation. Tenants who believe their housing does not meet the lighting requirements of § 5A.207 can document the conditions, review the penalty provisions referenced at § 5A.702, and consider reaching out to the city's code enforcement office or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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