White Bear Township, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 6, art. IV § 6-154
Maximum density, minimum space, and use and location requirements
Operative Text
No person shall occupy nor permit or let to be occupied any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements: (1) Permissible occupancy of dwelling unit. With the exception of owners occupying a respective dwelling unit prior to June 1, 1975, the maximum permissible occupancy of any dwelling unit shall be determined as follows: a. For the first occupant, 150 square feet of habitable room floor space and for every additional occupant thereof, at least 100 square feet of habitable room floor space. b. In no event shall the total number of occupants exceed two times the number of habitable rooms, less kitchen, in the dwelling unit. (2) One family per dwelling unit. Not more than one family, except for temporary guests, shall occupy a dwelling unit. (3) Minimum ceiling height. In order to qualify as habitable, rooms shall have a clear ceiling height of not less than seven feet, six inches, except that in attics or top-half-stores used for sleeping, study, or similar activities, the ceiling height shall be not less than seven feet, six inches over at least 40 percent 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 in the room having a clear ceiling height of five feet or more may be included. (4) Access through sleeping rooms and bathrooms. No dwelling unit built after 1940 and containing two 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, nor shall the room arrangement be such that access to a 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 or to the exterior of any dwelling unit.
White Bear Township Code of Ordinances ch. 6, art. IV § 6-154 establishes minimum space and layout standards that must be met before any dwelling unit may be occupied. Occupancy limits are tied to square footage — starting at 150 square feet for the first occupant and 100 square feet for each additional person — and total occupants may never exceed twice the number of non-kitchen habitable rooms. The provision also sets a minimum ceiling height of seven feet six inches for habitable rooms, restricts units to one family (plus temporary guests), and prohibits room arrangements in post-1940 units where a sleeping room or bathroom can only be reached by passing through another sleeping room.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties in White Bear Township should ensure that every unit offered for occupancy meets the density, space, and layout standards set out in ch. 6, art. IV § 6-154 before a tenant moves in. Compliant landlords generally calculate the maximum number of permissible occupants based on habitable square footage and room count, verify that all habitable rooms meet the seven-foot-six-inch ceiling height requirement, and confirm that post-1940 units with multiple sleeping rooms do not require passage through one bedroom to reach another or to access a bathroom. Lease terms and occupancy limits are typically kept consistent with these standards, and units are not let to more than one family at a time, outside of temporary guests.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under White Bear Township Code of Ordinances ch. 6, art. IV § 6-154, tenants have a right to occupy a unit that meets minimum space, ceiling height, and layout requirements — meaning a landlord may not lawfully rent a unit that falls short of these standards. If a unit appears to be overcrowded by the ordinance's formula, has ceilings below the required height, or has a bedroom or bathroom accessible only through another sleeping room, that may constitute a code violation. Tenants who believe their unit does not comply can document the conditions, contact the relevant White Bear Township code enforcement office, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about available options.
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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