The construction, operation, maintenance and equipment of lodging establishments shall be regulated as follows:
A. 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.
B. Floors: The floors of all guest rooms, hallways, bathrooms, storerooms and all other spaces used or traversed by guests shall be of such construction as to be easily cleaned, 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 subsection 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.
C. Walls; 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 when suitably finished and kept clean.
D. 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 Board 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.
E. Lighting; 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.
F. Space:
1. Minimum Square Footage: Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one person shall contain at least seventy (70) square feet of usable floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one person shall contain not less than sixty (60) square feet of usable floor space for each occupant thereof.
2. Air Space: Under no circumstances shall there be provided less than four hundred (400) cubic feet of air space per occupant.
3. Beds: Beds shall be spaced at least three feet (3') apart when placed side by side.
4. Basements: 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.
5. Waiver: When strict compliance herewith is impracticable, the Board may waive any of the provisions of this subsection subject to such conditions as may be deemed desirable in the individual case.
G. Bedding; Linen:
1. Bedding Required: All beds, bunks, cots and other sleeping places provided for guests in hotels, motels, resorts and lodging houses shall be supplied with suitable pillow slips and under and top sheets.
2. Cleanliness; Condition: 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.
3. Washing Between Guests: Pillow slips, sheets and bath linen after being used by one guest shall be washed before they are used by any other guest occupying a guest room for an extended period of time.
4. Changing Of Linens: A fresh set of sheets and pillow slips shall be furnished at least once each week and at least two (2) clean towels shall be furnished each day, except that the proprietor will not be responsible for the sheets, towels, pillow slips and bath linen furnished by a guest.
H. 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.
I. Toilets:
1. Facilities Required: 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.
2. Number Required: Toilet, lavatory and bath facilities shall be provided in the ratio of one toilet and one lavatory for every ten (10) occupants or fraction thereof, and one bathtub or shower for every twenty (20) occupants or fraction thereof.
3. Ventilation: Toilet rooms shall be well ventilated by natural or mechanical methods.
4. Doors: The doors of all toilet rooms serving the public and employees shall be self-closing.
5. Maintenance: Toilets and bathrooms shall be kept clean and in good repair and shall be well lighted and ventilated.
6. Handwashing Signs: Handwashing signs shall be posted in each toilet room used by employees.
7. Adequate, Convenient Facilities Required: Every resort shall be equipped with adequate and convenient toilet facilities for its employees and guests.
8. Privies: If privies are provided, they shall be separate buildings and shall be constructed, equipped and maintained in conformity with the standards of the Department and shall be kept clean.
J. Water Supply: A safe adequate supply of water shall be provided. The water supply system shall be located, constructed and operated in accordance with the rules and standards of the Minnesota Water Well Code. 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 one hundred thirty degrees Fahrenheit (130°F) (approximately 55°C).
K. Handwashing:
1. Lavatories For Public Use: 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 should not be used as handwashing sinks. (Ord., 12-10-1984, eff. 1-1-1985)
2. Separate Housekeeping Cabins: In the case of separate housekeeping cabins at resorts not supplied with running hot water, equipment shall be provided for heating water in the cabin. (Ord., 12-10-1984, eff. 1-1-1985; amd. 2000 Code)
3. Towels; Warm-Air Dryers: Individual or other approved sanitary towels or warm-air dryers shall be provided at all lavatories for use by employees or the public.
L. Eating Utensils, Drinking Vessels Provided In Guest Rooms:
1. Multi-Use:
a. Sanitizing: When multi-use eating utensils and drinking vessels are used at hotels, motels and lodging houses, they shall be thoroughly washed in hot water containing a suitable soap or synthetic detergent, rinsed in clean water, and effectively subjected to a bactericidal process approved by the Department.
b. Manual Dishwashing: Approved facilities for manual dishwashing shall consist of a three (3) compartment sink with stacking and drainboards at each end.
c. Mechanical Dishwashing Machines: All mechanical dishwashing machines shall conform to Standard No. 3 of the National Sanitation Foundation, dated June, 1982.
d. Drying: All dishes, glasses, utensils and equipment after washing and bactericidal treatment shall be permitted to drain and air dry.
2. Single-Service: If a three (3) compartment sink or a mechanical dishwashing machine is not provided, single service articles must be provided. Single-service articles, as defined in Minnesota Rules part 4625.2400, must be handled in a sanitary manner. Such utensils may not be reused.
M. Waste Disposal:
1. Liquid Wastes: All liquid wastes shall be disposed of in an approved public sewerage system or in a sewerage system which is designed, constructed and operated in accordance with Title 6 of this Code.
2. Garbage; Refuse: Prior to removal, all garbage and refuse in storage shall be kept in watertight, nonabsorbent receptacles which are covered with close-fitting, flytight lids. All garbage, trash and refuse shall be removed from the premises frequently to prevent nuisance and unsightly conditions and shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner. All garbage receptacles shall be kept clean and in good repair.
N. Insect, Rodent Control: Every hotel, motel, lodging house and resort shall be so constructed and equipped as to prevent the entrance, harborage or breeding of flies, roaches, bedbugs, rats, mice and all other insects and vermin and specific means necessary for the elimination of such pests such as cleaning, renovation or fumigation shall be used. The Department may order the facility to hire an exterminator licensed by the State to exterminate pests when:
1. The infestation is so extensive that it is unlikely that a nonprofessional can eradicate the pests effectively; or
2. The extermination method of choice can only be carried out by a licensed exterminator; or
3. Upon reinspection, it is found that an establishment has not been brought into compliance with a prior order to rid the establishment of pests.
O. Personnel Health, Cleanliness:
1. Washing Hands: No person shall resume work after visiting the toilet without first thoroughly washing his hands.
2. Medical Examination: Personnel of hotels, motels, lodging houses and resorts may be required to undergo medical examination to determine whether or not they are cases or carriers of a communicable disease.
P. Cleanliness Of Premises: The premises of all hotels, motels, lodging houses and resorts shall be kept clean and free of litter or rubbish.
Q. Fire Protection:
1. Fire Escapes: All lodging establishments shall provide suitable fire escapes which shall be kept in good repair and accessible at all times.
2. Hallways: Hallways shall be marked and exit lights provided.
3. Fire Extinguishers: Fire extinguishers shall be provided and shall be recharged annually and kept accessible for use.
4. Unobstructed Egress: No sleeping quarters shall be maintained in rooms which do not have unobstructed egress to the outside or to a central hall leading to all fire escapes.
5. Requirements Of State Fire Marshal: All fire protection measures shall be in accordance with requirements of the State Fire Marshal.
R. Plumbing; Swimming Pools:
1. Plumbing: All new plumbing in hotels, motels, lodging houses and resorts, and all plumbing reconstructed or replaced after January 1, 1985, shall be designed, constructed and installed in conformity with the Minnesota Plumbing Code (Minnesota Rules parts 4715.0100 through 4715.5600).
2. Swimming Pools: All swimming pools and other artificial recreational bathing facilities shall be located, constructed and operated in conformity with the applicable rules and standards of the Minnesota Department of Health.
S. Sanitary Dispensing Of Ice: Any lodging establishment which makes ice available in public areas, including, but not limited to, lobbies, hallways and outdoor areas shall restrict access to such ice in accordance with the following provisions:
1. After the effective date of this Chapter, any newly- constructed lodging establishment which installs ice-making equipment and any existing lodging establishment which replaces its ice-making equipment, shall install only automatic dispensing, sanitary ice-making and storage equipment;
2. After December 31, 1984, as required by Minnesota Rules parts 4625.0100 through 4625.2300, any existing lodging establishment which has not converted to automatic dispensing ice-making and storage equipment shall no longer permit unrestricted public access to open-type ice bins, and shall dispense ice to guests only by having employees give out prefilled, individual, sanitary containers of ice, or by making available prefilled, disposable, closed, bags of ice. (Ord., 12-20-1984, eff. 1-1-1985)