Winona, Minn., City Code ch. 33A (2026) § 33A.01
Purpose and Scope
Operative Text
33A.01 - PURPOSE AND SCOPE
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to
safeguard life or limb, health, and public welfare by regulating and controlling the
use and occupancy, maintenance and repair of all buildings and structures within
the City of Winona used for the purpose of rental housing. The purpose of this
chapter is not to create or otherwise establish or designate any particular class or
group of persons who will or should be especially protected or benefited by the
terms of this chapter.
(b) Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all buildings or portions
thereof used, or designed or intended to be let for human habitation. Certified
dwellings in existence at the time of adoption of this chapter may have their
existing use or occupancy continued, if such use or occupancy was legal at the
time of adoption of this chapter, provided such continued use is not dangerous to
life, health, property or public welfare and are not found to be substandard as
defined in this chapter.
(c) Application to Existing Buildings. Additions, alterations or repairs, shall be done
in compliance with the City of Winona Unified Development Code, Chapter 43,
and the Building Code, Chapter 44, of this Code and the Minnesota State
Building, Fire, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes, as well as the National Electric
Code (NEC).
(d) Exemptions. Exempt from this chapter shall be: nursing homes, hotels, motels,
properties otherwise licensed for occupancy by the State of Minnesota, theme
houses in a campus overlay, college and university owned dormitories and
properties inspected by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Ord. No. 4063 12/18/2017Winona City Code Chapter 33A, §§ 33A.01–33A.14 establishes a baseline framework for regulating rental housing within the city, covering the use, occupancy, maintenance, and repair of buildings rented to people for living purposes. The chapter applies broadly to any structure designed or used for human habitation as a rental, though buildings that were legally occupied before the chapter's adoption may continue operating as long as they remain safe and are not deemed substandard. Certain property types—including nursing homes, hotels, motels, state-licensed facilities, campus theme houses, college dormitories, and HUD-inspected properties—are explicitly excluded from the chapter's requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under §§ 33A.01–33A.14, operators of rental housing in Winona generally ensure that all covered properties meet the minimum standards for use, occupancy, maintenance, and repair set out in the chapter. Compliant operators are aware that any additions, alterations, or repairs must conform to the Winona Unified Development Code (Chapter 43), the Building Code (Chapter 44), applicable Minnesota State Codes, and the National Electric Code. Operators should also confirm whether their property type falls within one of the enumerated exemptions—such as HUD-inspected properties or state-licensed facilities—before assuming the chapter applies or does not apply to their operations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chapter 33A, §§ 33A.01–33A.14 of the Winona City Code is designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of people living in rental housing by setting minimum standards that covered properties must meet. Tenants living in non-exempt rental properties in Winona may have recourse if a property fails to meet those standards, including raising code violations as part of a housing complaint or defense in a legal proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing authorities can help renters understand whether their housing falls within the chapter's scope and what options may be available when standards are not met.
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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