Park Rapids, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 152 (2026) § 152.017
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner/occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements: (A) Foundation, floor, wall, ceiling, and roof. Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling, and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight, and rodent proof, shall be capable of affording privacy, and shall be kept in good repair. (B) Exterior opening. Every window, exterior door, and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight, and rodent proof and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair. (C) Stairs and porches. Every inside and outside stair, every porch, and every appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Properly installed and maintained handrails are required on all stairs with 3 risers or more. Guardrails shall be present to prevent any opening from being over 4 inches on all porches, balconies, stairs, or landings which are higher than 30 inches off the ground. Guardrails may not be less than 36 inches in height. (D) Plumbing fixtures. Every plumbing fixture and water waste pipe shall be properly installed and maintained in good sanitary working condition, free from defects, leaks, and obstructions. (E) Floor surfaces. Every water closet compartment floor surface, bathroom floor surface, kitchen floor surface, and kitchen counter surfaces shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (F) Supplied facilities. Every supplied facility, piece of equipment, or utility which is required under this section shall be so constructed or installed that it will function safely and effectively and shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition. (G) Continuous service of facilities. No owner, operator, or occupant shall cause any service, facility equipment, or utility which is required under this section to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling let or occupied by the owner, operator, or occupant, except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process. (H) Fitness for occupancy. No owner shall occupy or let to any other occupant any vacant dwelling unit unless it is clean, sanitary, and fit for human occupancy. (Am. Ord. 473, passed 12-12-2006)
Park Rapids Ch. 152 § 152.017 establishes baseline physical and operational standards that every dwelling or dwelling unit must meet before it can be occupied or rented. Structural elements—foundations, walls, roofs, windows, doors, stairs, and porches—must be weathertight, rodent-proof, safe, and in good repair. Plumbing, floor surfaces, and all required utilities and facilities must function safely and be maintained in sanitary working condition, and no required service may be permanently shut off while a unit is occupied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Park Rapids Ch. 152 § 152.017, compliant property operators routinely inspect and maintain all structural components—including foundations, roofs, exterior openings, stairs, and porches—to ensure they remain weathertight, rodent-proof, and structurally sound. Operators also verify that handrails are present on stairs with three or more risers and that guardrails on elevated porches, balconies, and landings meet the height and spacing requirements set out in the provision. Before re-renting a vacant unit, operators confirm that it is clean, sanitary, and fit for human occupancy, and they avoid discontinuing any required utility or facility service except during active repair work.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Park Rapids Ch. 152 § 152.017 gives occupants the right to live in a dwelling that meets specific structural, plumbing, and habitability standards, and prohibits landlords from cutting off required services while the unit is occupied. Tenants who observe conditions that appear to fall short of these standards—such as rodent entry points, unsafe stairs lacking proper handrails or guardrails, leaking plumbing, or loss of a required utility—may consider documenting the issues in writing and notifying the landlord. Additional options can include contacting the local code enforcement or housing authority in Park Rapids, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available remedies.
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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