Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 34 § 34.03
Applicability and scope
Operative Text
Every portion of a structure occupied or intended to be occupied for residential purposes and its premises shall comply with sections 34.01 through 34.30 , and non-residential property shall comply with sections 34.01 through 34.07 and sections 34.18 through 34.36 , irrespective of when such structure shall have been constructed, altered or repaired. Any alterations thereof or changes of use therein, which may be caused directly or indirectly by the enforcement of this Code, shall be done in accordance with applicable sections of the Minnesota Building Code and the St. Paul Zoning Code. Nothing in this chapter shall be applicable to rest homes, convalescent homes, nursing homes or hotels, except that hotels shall meet the requirements of Chapter 407 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.03 establishes that the housing maintenance standards in sections 34.01 through 34.30 apply to every residential structure and its surrounding premises, regardless of when the building was originally built, altered, or repaired. Non-residential properties must comply with a narrower set of sections (34.01–34.07 and 34.18–34.36). The code carves out rest homes, convalescent homes, nursing homes, and hotels from most of chapter 34's requirements, though hotels remain subject to Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 407.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34.03, property owners and managers of residential buildings in Saint Paul are expected to maintain compliance with the full range of standards in sections 34.01 through 34.30, no matter how old the structure is or when it last underwent renovation. When enforcement activity leads to alterations or changes in use, those modifications must conform to both the Minnesota Building Code and the St. Paul Zoning Code. Operators of rest homes, convalescent homes, nursing homes, or hotels should note that chapter 34 generally does not govern those property types, though hotel operators must still satisfy Chapter 407 requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34.03 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code means that tenants living in any residential structure in Saint Paul—old or new—are entitled to the protections established throughout sections 34.01 through 34.30, with no exception based on the building's age or construction history. If a tenant believes their home does not meet these standards, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the City of Saint Paul's Department of Safety and Inspections, which oversees housing code compliance. Tenants may also consult a local tenant-rights organization to better understand how § 34.03 and the broader chapter 34 framework apply to their situation.
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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