Otsego, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 100 (2026) § 4-6-8

No person shall occupy, as owner/occupant, or let another occupy any rental building or rental dwelling unit which does not comply with the following requirements, unless specifically exempt:


A. Minimum Ceiling Height: In order to qualify as habitable, rooms shall have a clear ceiling height of not less than seven feet six inches (7'6"); except, that in attics or top half stories used for sleeping, study, or similar activities, the ceiling height shall be not less than seven feet six inches (7'6") over at least one-half ( 1 / 2 ) of the floor area. In calculating the floor area of such rooms in attics or top half stories, only those portions of the floor area of the room having a clear ceiling height of five feet (5') or more may be included.


B. Access Through Sleeping Rooms And Bathrooms: No dwelling unit containing two (2) or more sleeping rooms shall have a room arrangement such that access to a bathroom or water closet compartment intended for use by occupants of more than one sleeping room can be gained only by going through another sleeping room. A bathroom or water closet compartment shall not be used as the only passageway to any habitable room, hall, basement or cellar of any dwelling unit.


C. Foundations, Exterior Walls And Roofs: The foundation, exterior walls, and exterior roof shall be substantially watertight and protected against vermin and rodents and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. The foundation element shall adequately support the building at all points. Every exterior wall shall be free of deterioration, holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers, and any other condition which might admit rain or dampness to the interior portion of the walls or to the interior spaces of the building. The roof shall be tight and have no defects which admit rain, and roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rainwater from causing dampness in the walls. All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint or other protective covering or treatment. If the exterior surface is unpainted or determined by the compliance official to be paint blistered, the surface shall be painted. If the exterior surface of the pointing of any brick, block or stone wall is loose or has fallen out, the surface shall be repaired.


D. Windows, Doors And Screens: Every window, exterior door, and other exterior openings shall be substantially tight and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. Every window, door and frame shall be constructed and maintained in such relation to the adjacent wall construction as to completely exclude rain, wind, vermin and rodents from entering the building. Every openable window shall be supplied with 16-mesh screens during the insect season, and shall be equipped with an approved lock if located less than six feet (6') above adjacent grade.


E. Floors, Interior Walls And Ceilings: Every floor, interior wall and ceiling shall be adequately protected against the passage and harborage of vermin and rodents, and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Every floor shall be free of loose, warped, protruding or rotted flooring materials. Every interior wall and ceiling shall be free of holes and large cracks and loose plaster and shall be maintained in a tight, weatherproof condition. Toxic paint and materials with a lasting toxic effect shall not be used. The floor of every toilet room, bathroom, and kitchen shall have a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent surface and shall be capable of being easily maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.


F. Rodent Control: Every structure and the premises upon which it is located shall be maintained in a rodent free and rodentproof condition. All openings in the exterior walls, foundations, basements, ground or first floors, and roofs, which have a one- half inch ( 1 / 2 ") diameter or larger opening, shall be rodentproofed in an approved manner. Interior floors or basements, cellars, and other areas in contact with the soil shall be paved with concrete or other rodent impervious material.


G. Fences: All fences shall consist of metal, wood, masonry, or other decay resistant material. Fences shall be maintained in good condition both in appearance and in structure. Wood material, other than decay resistant varieties, shall be protected against decay by use of paint or other preservatives. All fences shall be subject to the provision of section 11-19-4 of this Code.


H. Grading And Drainage: During the period of May through October, every yard, court, passageway, and other portions of the premises on which a building stands shall be graded and drained so as to be free of standing water that constitutes a detriment to health and safety.


I. Landscaping: Every yard of a premises on which a building stands shall be provided with lawn or combined ground cover of vegetation, garden, hedges, shrubbery, and related decorative materials, and such yard shall be maintained consistent with prevailing community standards. Nonresidential sites shall be maintained in accordance with an approved City landscape plan and shall be supplied with an irrigation system.


J. Screening: All outside trash disposal facilities, recycling containers, and outside or rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened from view by an opaque fence or wall high enough to completely screen the equipment.


K. Safe Building Elements: Every foundation, roof, floor, exterior and interior wall, ceiling, inside and outside stair, every porch and balcony, and every appurtenance thereto, shall be safe to use and capable of supporting loads required by the occupancy.


L. Facilities To Function: Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility required under City ordinances and every chimney and flue shall be installed and maintained and shall function effectively in a safe, sound, and working condition.


M. Discontinuance Of Service Or Facilities: No owner, operator, or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment, or utility, which is required under this chapter, to be removed, shut off or discontinued from any occupied building or portion thereof, except for such temporary interruptions as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process, or during temporary emergencies. (Prior Code § 7-11-8)