Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 34 § 34.15
Minimum standards for safety from fire on residential properties
Operative Text
The owner of any premises regulated by this section, as specified in section 34.03, shall comply with the following requirements: (1) Flammable liquids storage. No residential structure or rooming unit shall be located within a building containing any establishment handling, dispensing or storing flammable liquids with a flashpoint of less than one hundred ten (110) degrees Fahrenheit as defined by the National Board of Fire Underwriters. No flammable liquid with a flashpoint of less than one hundred ten (110) degrees Fahrenheit shall be stored within a residence building unless in an approved fire-rated storage cabinet or a one-hour separated room. (2) Exits. All exits must comply with the requirements of the building code in effect at the time of construction or as altered/modified under an approved building permit. (3) Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in accordance with Chapter 39 of the Legislative Code.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.15 establishes minimum fire-safety standards for residential properties, covering three main areas: the storage of flammable liquids, the condition of exits, and the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Residential buildings generally may not be located in the same structure as businesses that handle or store flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 110°F, unless those liquids are kept in an approved fire-rated cabinet or a properly separated room. Exits must meet the building code that was in effect when the structure was built or last permitted, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must be installed as required by Chapter 39 of the Legislative Code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.15 generally ensure that no flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 110°F are stored in residential buildings without an approved fire-rated storage cabinet or a one-hour fire-separated room. Compliant operators also verify that all exits meet the building code standards applicable at the time of construction or any permitted alteration, and that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed in full accordance with Chapter 39 of the Legislative Code. Routine inspections and documentation of alarm installation and exit conditions are practices commonly associated with maintaining compliance under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 34 § 34.15, tenants have a right to live in a residential building that meets minimum fire-safety standards, including proper storage of flammable liquids, code-compliant exits, and functioning smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as required by Chapter 39 of the Legislative Code. If a tenant believes these standards are not being met—such as missing alarms or blocked or inadequate exits—they may consider filing a complaint with Saint Paul's Department of Safety and Inspections, which oversees housing code enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations in Saint Paul can also provide general information about how to document concerns and what enforcement options may be available.
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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