LODGING ESTABLISHMENT ORDINANCE FOR RAMSEY COUNTY


1.00 SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

1.01 Scope

A. This rule shall be applicable to all lodging establishments, such as hotels, motels, lodging houses and resorts.

B. When a lodging establishment is located in a statutory or home rule charter city which maintains a delegation
of authority agreement with the Minnesota Department of Health to regulate lodging establishments pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes 145.55 or 145.918, the provisions of Sections 3.00 through 7.00 shall not apply. Except
where higher standards are established by city ordinance, the lodging establishments shall be subject to all other
requirements of this ordinance.

1.02 Definitions

For the purpose of this ordinance the following words shall have the following:

A. County" shall mean Ramsey County.

B. "Health Authority" shall mean the Ramsey County Public Health Department, its environmental health
specialist or other designated agent.

C. "Hotel" or "motel" shall mean any building or structure or enclosure, or any part thereof, kept, used as,
maintained as, or advertised as, or held out to the public to be an enclosure where sleeping accommodations are
furnished to the public and furnishing accommodations for periods of less than one week.

D. "Lodging house" shall mean every building or structure or any part thereof, kept, used, maintained as,
advertised as, or held out to be a place where sleeping accommodations are furnished to the public as regular
roomers, for periods of one week or more, and having five or more at beds to let to the public.

E. "Boarding house" shall mean every building or structure or enclosure, or any part thereof, used as,
maintained as, or advertised as, or held out to be an enclosure where meals or lunches are furnished to five or
more regular boarders, whether with or without sleeping accommodations, for periods of one week or more.

F. "Resort" shall mean any building, structure, or enclosure, or any part thereof, located on, or on property
neighboring any lake, stream, or skiing or hunting area for purposes of providing convenient access thereto,
kept, used, maintained, or advertised as, or held out to the public to be an enclosure where sleeping
accommodations are furnished to the public, and primarily to those seeking recreation, for periods of one day,
one week, or longer, and having for rent five or more cottages, rooms, or enclosures.

G. Lodging establishment" shall mean a hotel, lodging house, boarding house, resort or similar facility where
sleeping facilities are offered to the public.

H. Approved" shall mean acceptable to the Health Authority following its determination as to conformity with
established public health practices.

I. Clean" shall mean the absence of dirt, grease, rubbish, garbage and other offensive, unsightly or extraneous
matter.

J. Good repair" shall mean free of corrosion, breaks, cracks, chips, pitting, excessive wear and tear, leaks,
obstructions and similar defects so as to constitute a good and sound condition.

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K. Usable floor space" shall mean all floor space in a sleeping room not occupied by closets, toilet rooms,
shower or bathrooms.

2.00 SANITATION REQUIREMENTS.

The construction, operation, maintenance and equipment of lodging establishments shall be regulated as
follows:

2.01 Building. Every building, structure or enclosure used to provide lodging accommodations for the public
shall be kept in good repair, and so maintained as to promote the health, comfort, safety and well-being of
persons accommodated.

2.02 Floors. The floors of all guest rooms, hallways, bathrooms, store rooms, and all other spaces used or
traversed by guests shall be of such construction as to be easily cleaned, shall be smooth, and shall be kept clean
and in good repair. Cleaning of floors shall be done as to minimize the raising of dust and the exposure of
guests thereto. The requirements of this section shall not prevent the use of rugs, carpets or natural stone which
can be kept clean. Abrasive strips for safety purposes may be used wherever deemed necessary to prevent
accidents.

2.03 Walls and ceilings. The walls and ceilings of all rooms, halls and stairways shall be kept clean and in
good repair. Studs, joists or rafters shall not be left exposed except where suitably finished and kept clean.

2.04 Screening. When flies, mosquitoes, and other insects are prevalent, all outside doors, windows and other
outer openings shall be screened, provided that such screening shall not be required for rooms deemed by the
Health Authority to be located high enough in the upper stories of the building as to be free of such insects, or in
such areas where other effective means are provided to prevent their entrance.

2.05 Lighting and ventilation. All rooms and areas used by patrons and guests and all other rooms or spaces in
which lighting and ventilation, either natural or artificial, are essential to the efficiency of the business operation
shall be well lighted and ventilated. An area shall be considered well ventilated when excessive heat, odors,
fumes, vapors, smoke or condensation is reduced to a negligible level and barely perceptible to the normal
senses. During seasons when weather conditions require tempering of make-up air, adequate equipment shall be
provided to temper the make-up air. Every gas-fired or oil-fired room heater and water heater shall be vented to
the outside air.

2.06 Space. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one person shall contain at least 70 square feet of
usable floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one person shall contain not
less than 60 square feet of usable floor space for each occupant thereof. Under no circumstances shall there be
provided less than 400 cubic feet of air space per occupant. Beds shall be spaced at least 3 feet apart when
placed side by side. No sleeping quarters shall be provided in any basement having more than half its clear floor
to ceiling height below the average grade of the adjoining ground. When strict compliance herewith is
impracticable, the Health Authority may waive any of the provisions of this paragraph subject to such conditions
as may be deemed desirable in the individual case.

2.07 Bedding and Linen. All beds, bunks, cots, and other sleeping places provided for guests in hotels, motels,
resort and lodging houses shall be supplied with suitable pillowslips and under and top sheets,. All bedding
including mattresses, quilts, blankets, pillows, sheets, spreads, and all bath linen shall be kept clean. No bedding
including mattresses, quilts, blankets, pillows, bed and bath linen, shall be used which are worn out or unfit for
further use. Pillowslips, sheets and bath linen after being used by one guest shall be washed before they are
used by another guest, a clean set being furnished each succeeding guest. For any guests occupying a guest
room for an extended period of time, a fresh set of sheets and pillowslips shall be furnished at least once each

Page 3 week, and at least two clean towels shall be furnished each day, except that the proprietor will not be responsible
for the sheets, towels, pillowslips, and bath linens furnished by a guest.

2.08 Room furnishings. All equipment, fixtures, furniture and furnishings, including windows, draperies,
curtains and carpets, shall be kept clean and free of dust, dirt, vermin and other contaminants, and shall be
maintained in good order and repair.

2.09 Toilets. Every hotel, motel and lodging house shall be equipped with adequate and conveniently located
water closets for the accommodation of its employees and guests. Water closets, lavatories and bathtubs or
showers, shall be available on each floor when not provided in each individual room. Toilet, lavatory and bath
facilities shall be provided in the ratio of one toilet and one lavatory for every 20 occupants, or fraction thereof.
Toilet rooms shall be well ventilated by natural or mechanical methods. The doors of all toilet rooms serving
the public and employees shall be self-closing. Toilets and bathrooms shall be kept clean and in good repair and
shall be well lighted and ventilated. Handwashing signs shall be posted in each toilet room used by employees.
Every resort shall be equipped with adequate and convenient toilet facilities for its employees and guests. If
privies are provided, they shall be separate buildings and shall be constructed, equipped, and maintained in
conformity with the standards of the Health Authority and shall be kept clean.

2.10 Water supply. A safe and adequate supply of water shall be provided. The water supply shall be located,
constructed and operated in accordance with the rules of the State of Minnesota. After September 30, 1980, the
temperature of hot water which is provided in any public area or guest room, including but not limited to
lavatories, bathtubs or showers shall not exceed 130 degrees F (54 degrees C ).

2.11 Handwashing. All lavatories for public use or furnished in guest rooms at hotels, motels, lodging houses
and resorts shall be supplied with hot and cold running water and with soap. Scullery sinks shall not be used as
handwashing sinks. In the case of separate housekeeping cabins at resor