Willmar, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 6.5, art. II § 6.5-52
Roominghouses, rooming units, dormitories, dormitory rooms
Operative Text
(a) No person shall operate a roominghouse or dormitory, or shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any dormitory room and/or rooming unit in any roominghouse or dormitory, which is not in compliance with the appropriate provisions of every section of this article. No owner shall let to another person any rooming unit or dormitory room unless it is clean and sanitary, and complies with all applicable requirements of the city. (b) No person shall operate a roominghouse unless he holds a valid rental registration license issued by the appropriate authority in the name of the operator and for the specific dwelling or dwelling unit. The operator shall apply to the appropriate authority upon compliance by the operator with the applicable provisions of this article and of any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. This license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the roominghouse at all times. No such license shall be transferable. Every person holding such a permit shall give notice in writing to the appropriate authority within 24 hours after having sold, transferred, given away or otherwise disposed of ownership of, interest in or control of any roominghouse. Such notice shall include the name and address of the person succeeding to the ownership or control of such roominghouse. Every license shall expire at the end of one year following its date of issuance, unless sooner suspended or revoked as hereinafter provided. (c) At least one flush water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower, properly connected to a water and sewer system approved by the appropriate authority and in good working condition, shall be supplied for each six persons or fraction thereof residing within a roominghouse, including members of the operator's family wherever they share the use of the said facilities, provided that: (1) In a roominghouse where rooms are let only to males, flush urinals may be substituted for not more than one-half the required number of water closets and, provided that there shall be at least one water closet. (2) All such facilities shall be so located within the dwelling as to be reasonably accessible to all persons sharing such facilities and from a common hall or passageway and provided that such facilities are not located more than one floor above or below the rooming unit or units served. (3) Every lavatory basin and bathtub or shower stall be supplied with heating and unheated water under pressure at all times. (d) The following provisions shall apply in all roominghouses and dormitories: (1) Cooking in dormitory rooms and rooming units is prohibited. (2) communal cooking and dining facilities in a roominghouse are prohibited, except as approved by the appropriate authority in writing. (3) All food service and dining facilities provided in a roominghouse or dormitory for the occupants of same shall comply with applicable food service legislation. (4) Access doors to rooming units, dormitory rooms, shall have operating locks to ensure privacy. (e) Every rooming unit shall comply with all the requirements of this article pertaining to a habitable room. Every rooming unit occupied by one person shall contain at least 110 square feet of floor space and every rooming unit occupied by more than one person shall contain at least 90 square feet for each occupant thereof. Every rooming unit shall contain closet/storage space for each occupant. (f) Every rooming unit shall have immediate access to two or more approved means of egress, appropriate marked, leading to safe and open space at ground level or as required by the appropriate statutes, ordinances, and regulations of this city and the state. (g) Structurally sound handrails shall be provided on any steps containing four risers or more. Porches, patios and/or balconies located more than three feet higher than the adjacent areas shall have structurally sound protective guard or handrails. (h) Access to or egress from each rooming unit shall be provided without passing through any other rooming unit.
Willmar Code of Ordinances ch. 6.5, art. II § 6.5-52 establishes comprehensive standards for roominghouses, rooming units, dormitories, and dormitory rooms in Willmar. The rule requires that these facilities be clean, sanitary, properly licensed, and equipped with adequate plumbing, egress, and structural safety features. It also restricts cooking in individual units, mandates privacy locks on access doors, sets minimum square footage per occupant, and requires that each unit be accessible without passing through another unit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Willmar Code of Ordinances ch. 6.5, art. II § 6.5-52, operators of roominghouses and dormitories are expected to obtain and maintain a valid rental registration license, display it conspicuously on the premises, and notify the appropriate authority in writing within 24 hours of any change in ownership or control. Compliant operators generally ensure that plumbing facilities meet the prescribed ratios (at least one flush water closet, lavatory, and bathtub or shower per six residents), that all rooming units meet minimum square footage requirements, and that each unit has functioning privacy locks and at least two approved means of egress. Operators also typically keep communal cooking arrangements in compliance with any written approvals from the appropriate authority and ensure that food service facilities meet applicable food service legislation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Willmar Code of Ordinances ch. 6.5, art. II § 6.5-52 gives occupants of rooming units and dormitory rooms the right to expect clean, sanitary conditions, adequate shared plumbing facilities, functioning privacy locks, and access to at least two approved egress routes without passing through another resident's unit. Tenants who believe their accommodations fall short of these standards may document the conditions and file a complaint with the appropriate Willmar municipal authority responsible for rental registration and housing code enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations can also help occupants understand what remedies may be available, including raising code violations as a defense in relevant proceedings.
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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