Dayton, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 113 (2026) § 113.072
OBSTRUCTION OF EGRESS
Operative Text
Means of egress shall not be obstructed in any manner and shall remain free of any material or matter where its presence would obstruct or render the means of egress hazardous. All egress routes shall be properly maintained in a safe manner. A clear and unobstructed means of access with a minimum width of 30 inches and a minimum height of 78 inches shall be maintained from the operating face of an electrical service panel, meter or switchboard. Tenants shall at all times have free access to the service panel for their dwelling unit. All obstruction of egress requirements will follow building code at the time of construction; if no codes were in effect, it will follow general construction practice at the time of construction. (Ord. 2018-18, passed 2-28-2018; Ord. 2019-07, passed 6-11-2019) Penalty, see § 113.999
Dayton Ch. 113 Rental Dwellings § 113.072 requires that all exit routes in rental dwellings remain clear, unobstructed, and safe at all times. A specific clearance zone — at least 30 inches wide and 78 inches tall — must be kept open in front of electrical service panels, meters, and switchboards. Tenants must always have free access to the electrical service panel for their own unit. Where no building code was in effect at the time of construction, general construction practices from that era serve as the applicable standard.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 113.072, compliant rental property operators routinely inspect egress routes — hallways, stairwells, and exit paths — to ensure no stored materials, furniture, or debris block or narrow those paths. Operators also maintain the required 30-inch-wide by 78-inch-tall clearance in front of all electrical service panels, meters, and switchboards, and they avoid placing locks, barriers, or stored items that would prevent a tenant from reaching their unit's service panel. Violations of this section carry penalties under § 113.999, so documenting regular inspections and corrective actions is a practice commonly associated with compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 113.072 gives tenants the right to free access to the electrical service panel for their dwelling unit at all times, and it entitles them to egress routes that are clear, safe, and properly maintained. If a landlord's actions or stored materials are blocking exit paths or the service panel, tenants may document the condition with photographs and dates as a record of the issue. Tenants can explore options such as filing a complaint with Dayton's code enforcement or housing inspection office, raising the violation as a defense in relevant proceedings, or contacting a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on next steps under § 113.072.
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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