Owatonna, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 151 (2026) § 151.08
ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS
Operative Text
(A) Electrical equipment. Every dwelling unit and all public and common areas shall be supplied with functioning electric service. All electrical equipment, wiring and appliances shall be installed and maintained in a safe manner in accordance with all applicable laws. All electrical equipment shall be of an approved type for the intended use of such equipment. (B) Outlets. Every habitable room shall contain at least two electrical convenience outlets or one convenience outlet and one electric light fixture. Every toilet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room and public hallway shall contain at least one electric light fixture. (C) Electrical service panel. Access to the operating face of any electrical switchboard or panel board shall be maintained as provided in the International Fire Code and/or Electrical Code. Electric panels shall be in a condition so as not to allow contact with energized wires, contacts, or busses. Fuse sockets shall be furnished with proper fuses. (D) Extension cords. Extension cords shall not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. Extension cords shall not extend through wall openings, beneath rugs or carpeting, or be bundled. Extension cords may not be used for loads greater than the rated capacity for which they are designed. (E) Outlets and junction boxes. All outlets and junction boxes shall have covers that are property secured. (F) Ground fault indicators (GFI's). All GFI outlets must be in sound operating condition. (G) Bare wires. Bare wires or wire nuts are prohibited except for low voltage wiring for speaker cords, telephone equipment, or doorbell wiring or knob and tube wiring in sound condition. (1992 Code, § 460:08) (Ord. 1315, passed 5-20-2003; Ord. passed - -)
Owatonna Ch. 151 Rental Housing § 151.08 establishes comprehensive electrical standards for rental dwellings, covering everything from basic electric service to wiring safety. Every habitable room must have a minimum number of outlets or light fixtures, and all electrical panels, extension cords, outlets, junction boxes, GFI outlets, and wiring must meet specific safety conditions. The rule prohibits practices such as using extension cords as permanent wiring, leaving bare wires exposed (with narrow exceptions), and allowing electrical panels to expose energized components.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties subject to § 151.08 generally ensure that all dwelling units and common areas have functioning electric service and that all wiring, appliances, and equipment are installed and maintained in compliance with applicable codes. Compliant operators verify that each habitable room contains at least two convenience outlets or one outlet and one light fixture, and that bathrooms, laundry rooms, furnace rooms, and hallways each have at least one light fixture. Routine inspections typically include confirming that electrical panels are properly enclosed, GFI outlets are operational, junction boxes and outlets have secured covers, and extension cords are not being used as substitutes for permanent wiring.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 151.08, tenants in Owatonna rental units have a right to safe, functioning electrical service that meets the standards described in this provision, including adequate outlets in habitable rooms and properly maintained panels, wiring, and GFI outlets. If conditions such as exposed wires, missing outlet covers, non-functioning GFI outlets, or insufficient outlets are present, tenants may have grounds to report the issue to the appropriate local housing or code enforcement authority in Owatonna. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what general options — such as filing a complaint or raising a code violation — may be available under this provision.
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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