Fridley, Minn., Mun. Code ch. 507 (2026) § 507.07

1. Minimum Exterior Standards 
(a) Foundations, exterior walls, and roofs. The foundation, exterior walls, and exterior roof must be water-tight, rodent-proof, and be kept in sound condition and repair. Every window, exterior door, and hatchway must be substantially tight, and must be kept in sound condition and repair. The foundation must adequately support the building at all points. Exterior walls must be maintained and kept free from dilapidation by cracks, tears, or breaks or from deteriorated plaster, stucco, brick, wood or other material that is extensive and gives evidence of long neglect. The protective surface on exterior walls of a building above ground level must be maintained in good repair so as to provide a sufficient covering and protection of the structural surface underneath against its deterioration. Without limiting the generality of this section, a protective surface of a building will be deemed to be out of repair if:
(1) The protective surface is paint which is blistered to an extent of more than 25% of the area of any plane or wall or other area including window trim, cornice members, porch railings, and other such areas; 

(2) More than 10% of the pointing of any chimney or 25%) of the pointing of any brick or stone wall is loose or has fallen out.

(3) More than 25% of the finish coat of a stucco wall is worn through or chipped away.

Any exterior surface or plane required to be repaired under the provisions of this section must be repaired in its entirety. If a weather-resistant surface such as brick, plaster or metal is covered with paint that is more than 25% blistered, it must be repainted unless the defective paint covering is removed in its entirety.
(b) Accessory Structure Maintenance. Accessory structures supplied by the owner, operator or occupant on the premises of a dwelling must be structurally sound, and be maintained in good repair and appearance. Exterior walls, foundations, roofs and exits of accessory structures must be maintained in accordance with the standards set forth for principal structures.

(c) Fence Maintenance. Fences must be maintained in good condition both in appearance and in structure. Wood material, other than decay-resistant varieties, must be protected against decay by use of paint or other preservatives. If 25% or more of the painted surface of a fence is determined by the Compliance Official to be paint blistered, the surface must be properly scraped and repainted.

(d) Retaining Walls. Retaining walls must be kept in good condition, repair, and appearance. A retaining wall will be deemed out of repair when it has substantially shifted or slumped out of its original design position.

(e) Yard Cover. All exposed areas surrounding (or within) a principal or accessory use, including street boulevards, which are not devoted to parking, drives, sidewalks, patios, or other such uses, must be landscaped with grass, shrubs, trees, or other ornamented landscape material, and must be maintained to prevent erosion from wind and water runoff. Such landscaping must be maintained in good condition and free of noxious weeds. Grass and weeds may not exceed 10 inches in height at any time.

(f) Gutters and Downspouts. Existing gutters, leaders and downspouts must be maintained in good working condition as to provide proper drainage of storm water. In no case may storm water be channeled into the sanitary sewer system. In no case may storm water, ice, or snow be directed into, or channeled across walkways or streets where it is likely to be a hazard to life or health.

(g) Exterior Lighting. For multiple family dwellings, all exterior parking areas must be provided with an average, maintained, horizontal illumination of six tenths foot candles. Parking lot illumination may not be directed onto a public street or adjoining property.

(h) Snow and Ice Removal. The owner of a dwelling containing two or more dwelling units is responsible for cleaning and maintaining all walks, drives, and parking areas, and keeping steps free of any ice or any snow accumulations of two or more inches within 24 hours of the storm's completion.

(i) Driving and Parking Areas. The owner of a multiple family dwelling or dwellings is responsible for providing and maintaining all paved and delineated parking areas and driveways in good condition for occupants.

(j) Facilities for Storage and Disposal of Refuse. Every owner of a residential property is responsible for providing and maintaining facilities for the storage and disposal of refuse and for arranging for the collection of refuse.

(k) Grading and Drainage. Every yard, court or passageway on a rental property must be maintained to prevent the excessive accumulation of standing water.
2. Minimum Plumbing Standards. All plumbing systems in every dwelling unit and in all shared or public areas must be properly installed and maintained in a sanitary, safe and functioning condition, and must be properly connected to an approved sanitary system.
(a) Every fixture, facility, or piece of equipment requiring a sewer connection must have a functioning connection, free from defects, leaks or obstructions, and must possess sufficient capacity to drain all other fixtures, facilities or pieces of equipment which feed into it. The sewer system must be capable of conveying all sewage into the municipal sanitary sewer system.

(b) Every fixture, facility or piece of equipment requiring a water connection must have a functioning connection, free from defects, leaks or obstructions. Each water connection must possess sufficient capacity to adequately supply all fixtures, facilities, or pieces of equipment to which connected with an uncontaminated, controllable flow of water.
3. Minimum Electrical Standards. Every dwelling unit and all public and private areas must be supplied with electric service, functioning and safe circuit breakers or fuses, electric outlets, and electric fixtures which are properly installed and maintained in a safe working condition. The minimum capacity of such electric service and the minimum number of electric outlets and fixtures are as follows:
(a) Dwellings containing one or two dwelling units must have at least the equivalent of 60 ampere electric service per dwelling unit;

(b) Dwelling units must have at least one 15 ampere branch electric circuit for each 600 square feet of dwelling unit floor area;

(c) Every habitable room must have at least one floor or wall-type electric convenience outlet for each 60 square feet or fraction thereof of total floor area, and in no case less than two such electric outlets. Temporary wiring, extension cords or drop cords may not be used as permanent wiring. In cases where more than two outlets are required, one ceiling or wall type light fixture may be substituted for one required outlet. Required outlets must, insofar as possible, be spaced equal distances apart;

(d) Every water closet compartment, bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and furnace room must contain at least one supplied ceiling or wall type electric light fixture and every bathroom and laundry room must contain at least one electric convenience outlet;

(e) Every public hall and stairway in every multiple family dwelling must be adequately lit by natural or electric light at all times, so as to provide illumination having an intensity of not less than one foot candle at floor level to all parts thereof. The lights in the public halls and stairways of dwellings containing not more than two dwelling units may be controlled by conveniently located switches instead of full time lighting;

(f) A convenient switch for turning on a light in each dwelling unit must be located near the principal point of entrance to such unit. A patio door entrance may be exempt if it is not a principal entrance;

(g) If provided, exterior electrical outlets must be weather proofed. No electrical drop cords, extension cords, or electrical wires may extend across a walkway or driveway, or otherwise create a hazard to pedestrians or vehicles. 
4. Minimum Heating Standards
(a) All dwellings must have primary heating facilities which are properly installed and maintained in a safe, efficient working condition and which can maintain a minimum indoor temperature of not less than 68 degrees F at a point three feet above the floor in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closet compartments in every dwelling unit location therein, pursuant to Minnesota Statute (M.S.) § 216B.096, commonly referred to as the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule.

(b) Gas or electric appliances designed specifically for cooking or water heating purposes, and portable heating equipment, are not considered primary heating facilities for the purposes of this Section.

(c) Whenever the occupant lacks direct control over the primary heating facility to their dwelling unit, it is the responsibility of the owner to maintain minimum heating standards as set forth above.
5. Water Heating Standards: Every dwelling unit must have supplied water heating facilities which are installed in an approved manner, properly maintained, and which are capable of heating water to such a temperature as to permit an adequate amount of water to be drawn at every required kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub, shower, and laundry facilities, or other similar units at a temperature of not less than 110 degrees Fahrenheit, 46 degrees Celsius, at any time needed. Water temperatures must comply with but not exceed the standards stipulated in the most recently adopted Minnesota Energy Code.

6. Minimum Natural Light and Ventilation Standards: Every habitable room must have window area of no less than eight percent of the floor area and at least one window facing directly outdoors which can be opened easily. At minimum, the total openable window area of every habitable room must be 4% of the floor area of the room, and in no case less than four square feet. In lieu of natural ventilation, a mechanical ventilating system may be provided which is capable of providing two air changes per hour, with 20% of the air supply taken from the outside. Every bathroom and water closet compartment must have at least 50% of the openable window requirement otherwise appropriate for the floor area, except that no windows may be required if such rooms are equipped with an exhaust fan connected directly to the outside, capable of providing five air changes per hour. For the purpose of determining light and ventilation requirements, any room may be considered as a portion of an adjoining room when one half of the area of the common wall is open and unobstructed and provides an opening of not less than one tenth of the floor area of the interior room or 25 square feet, whichever is greater. Windows may not be required in kitchens of dwelling units when such kitchen has an opening of at least 20 square feet into an adjoining habitable room and when such kitchen is provided with an approved mechanical ventilation system. In addition, the window area of the adjoining habitable room referred to above may be of sufficient size so as to provide for the light and ventilation requirements of the kitchen area as well as for said adjoining habitable room.

7. Minimum Structural Standards
(a) Floors, Interior Walls, and Ceilings. Every floor, interior wall and ceiling must be adequately protected against the passage and harborage of vermin, rodents, and insects. Every floor must be free of loose, warped, protruding, or rotted flooring materials and all floor covering must be maintained in good condition. Every interior wall and ceiling must be free of holes and large cracks, loose plaster, and blistered paint and must be maintained in good condition. Lead based paints classified toxic to children must not be used on wall or molding surfaces. Every toilet room, bathroom, and kitchen floor surface must be easily cleanable and maintained in good condition.

(b) Stairways, Porches, and Balconies. Every stairway, inside or outside of a dwelling, and every porch or balcony, must be kept in safe condition and sound repair. Every flight of stairs and every porch and balcony floor must be free of structural deterioration. Every stairwell and every flight of stairs which is more than three risers high must have at least one handrail approximately 30-38 inches high, measured vertically from the nose of the stair tread to the top of the handrail. All unenclosed floor and roof openings, open and glazed sides of landings and ramps, balconies or porches which are more than 30 inches above grade or floor below, and roofs used for other than service of the building must be protected by a guardrail; guardrails must be not less than 36 inches in height. Open guardrails and open stair railings on unenclosed stairways must have intermediate rails such that a sphere four inches in diameter cannot pass through. Every handrail and balustrade must be firmly fastened and maintained in good condition. A flight of stairs which has settled out of its intended position, or pulled away from the supporting or adjacent structures enough to cause a hazard, must be repaired. No flight of stairs may have rotting, loose or deteriorating supports. Excepting spiral and winding stairways, the treads and risers of every flight of stairs must be uniform in width and height. Stairways must be capable of supporting loads that normal use may cause to be placed thereon. The minimum dimensions that will be accepted for existing stairways are as follows: rise not to exceed eight inches in height, run of treads to be not less than nine inches in depth.

(c) Windows, Doors, and Screens. Every window, exterior door, and hatchway must be substantially tight and must be kept in sound condition and repair. Every window other than a fixed window or storm window, must be capable of being easily opened. Every window or other device with openings to outdoor space which is used or intended to be used for ventilation must be supplied with 16 mesh screens. All windows on basement and first floor levels must have proper locking devices to prevent opening from the outside. All doors and door and window frames must be free of blistered paint and must be maintained in good condition. All door and window hardware and locks must all be functional and be maintained in good condition.

(d) Safe Building Elements. Every roof, floor, porch, balcony, stairway, and every appurtenance thereto, must be safe to use and capable of supporting loads that normal use may cause to be placed thereon.

(e) Access to Dwellings. Access to and egress from each dwelling must be provided by at least one doorway that is a minimum of 36 inches wide and 80 inches high and otherwise complies with the fire exit provisions of the Code. 

(f) Minimum Ceiling Height. The ceiling height of any habitable room must be at least seven feet; except that in any habitable room under a sloping ceiling, at least one half of the floor area may have a ceiling height of at least seven feet, and the floor area of that part of such a room where the ceiling height is less than five feet may not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy.

(g) Rooms Below Grade. A room located partly or wholly below grade may be used as a habitable room of a dwelling unit provided all of the requirements of this Chapter are met. If a room below grade is used for sleeping purposes, an emergency escape or egress must be provided. Acceptable means of egress include:
(1) Escape or rescue window with a minimum net clear openable area of 5.7 square feet. The minimum net clear openable height dimension will be 24 inches. The minimum net clear openable width dimension must be 20 inches. The finished sill height may not exceed 44 inches above the floor.

(2) Exterior type door or hatch meeting the same minimum requirements as specified in this Chapter.
(h) Door Locks and Security. All doors leading to public or shared areas from all dwelling units must be furnished with a single cylinder deadbolt lock openable from the interior without the use of a key or tool. Deadbolt, night latch, or chain locks must be mounted at a height not to exceed 48 inches from the finished floor and a minimum of 34 inches from the finished floor. The deadbolt must be capable of being locked from the exterior of the unit. Manually operated flush bolts or surface bolts are not permitted. 
8. Minimum Interior Standards
(a) Kitchen Facilities. Every kitchen in every dwelling unit must include the following:
(1) A kitchen sink in good working condition and properly connected to an approved water supply system. It must provide at all times an adequate amount of heated and unheated running water under pressure and be connected to an approved sewer system.

(2) Cabinets or shelves for the storage of eating, drinking, and cooking equipment and utensils, and of food that does not require refrigeration for safekeeping; and a counter or table for food preparation. Said cabinets or shelves and counter or table must be, adequate for the permissible occupancy of the dwelling unit and must be of sound construction furnished with surfaces that are easily cleanable and that will not impart any toxic or deleterious effect to food. 

(3) A stove and a refrigerator which are properly installed with all necessary connections for safe, sanitary, and efficient operation. The stove, refrigerator, or similar devices need not be installed when a dwelling unit is not occupied or when the occupant has agreed, in a written lease, to provide the devices on occupancy, in which case sufficient space and adequate connections for the installation and operation of said stove, refrigerator, or similar devices must be provided.
(b) Toilet Facilities. Within every dwelling unit there must be a non habitable room with an entrance door which affords privacy to a person within room. The room must be equipped with a flush water closet in good working condition. The flush water closet must have easily cleanable surfaces, must be connected to an approved water system that at all times provides an adequate amount of running water under pressure to cause the water closet to operate properly, and must be connected to an approved sewer system.

(c) Lavatory Sink. Within every dwelling unit there must be a lavatory sink. The lavatory sink may be in the same room as the flush water closet, or if located in another room, the lavatory sink must be located in close proximity to the door leading directly into the room where water closet is located. The lavatory sink must be in good working condition, properly connected to an approved water system, provide an adequate amount of heated and unheated running water under adequate pressure, and must be connected to an approved sewer system.

(d) Bathtub or Shower. Within every dwelling unit, there must be a non-habitable room which affords privacy and which is equipped with a bathtub or shower in good working condition. The bathtub or shower may be in the same room as the flush water closet or in another room must be properly connected to an approved water supply system, provide an adequate amount of heated and unheated water under adequate pressure and must be connected to an approved sewer system.

(e) Every bathroom and water closet compartment must have least 50% of the openable window requirement otherwise appropriate for the floor area, except that no windows may be required if such rooms are equipped with an exhaust fan connected directly to the outside, capable of providing five air changes per hour.
9. Minimum Standards for Pest Extermination
(a) All openings in the exterior walls, foundations, basements, ground or first floors, and roofs must be rodent proofed in a manner approved by the Compliance Official.

(b) All windows used or intended to be used for ventilation, all other openings, and all exterior doorways which might provide an entry for rodents and insects, must be supplied with adequate screens or such other devices as will effectively prevent the entrance of rodents and insects into the structure.

(c) All sewers, pipes, drains, conduits, and openings around such pipes and conduits must be constructed to prevent the ingress or egress of rodents and insects to or from a building.

(d) Interior floors of basements, cellars, and other areas in contact with the soil must be rodent proofed in a manner approved by the Compliance Official.

(e) The owner or operator of a dwelling unit is responsible for the extermination of rodents, insects, or other vermin on the premises. Anyone who is contracted to eliminate pests must have a pest control license. 
10. Minimum Energy Standards. All dwellings which are renter-occupied during all or a portion of the months of November through April must comply with the following weatherization requirements:
(a) Install weatherstripping between exterior operable window sash and frames and between exterior doors and frames. Weatherstripping is not required on storm doors or storm windows.

(b) Caulk, gasket, or otherwise seal accessible exterior joints between foundation and rim joist; around window and door frames; between wall and roof; between wall panels; at penetrations for utility services through walls, floors and roofs, and all other openings in the exterior envelope.

(c) Install storm windows on all single glazed exterior window units enclosing conditioned space.

(d) Install storm doors on all exterior door openings into conditioned spaces unless a single door, enclosed porch, vestibule, or other appurtenance provides a double door effect or provides an "R" value of two or more.

(e) Install positive shut offs for all fireplaces or fireplace stoves unless an existing damper provides a positive shut off.

(f) Install insulation in accessible attics to achieve a minimum total "R" value of the insulation of R 19. If there is insufficient space for the installation of the recommended "R" value, then the available space must be insulated to capacity.

(g) Install insulation in accessible walls and floors enclosing conditioned spaces to achieve a minimum total "R" value of the insulation of R 11 when there is no insulation in a substantial portion of the exterior walls or floors over an unconditioned space. Accessible walls may not include above grade foundation walls of basements. If there is insufficient space for the installation of the recommended "R " value, then the available space must be insulated to capacity.
11. Occupancy Standards. Notwithstanding any private agreements between the landlord and occupant providing for more restrictive occupancy standards, the maximum occupancy standards are:
(a) No more than one family may occupy a dwelling unit; and

(b) The maximum number of occupants in any rental dwelling unit may not exceed the following formula: number of bedrooms x 2 + 1= maximum occupancy.

HISTORY
Amended by Ord. 1364 on 12/10/2018
Amended by Ord. 1419 on 3/11/2024