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Code Status: Minnesota

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of Minnesota. Information for all 50 States is also available. Minnesota Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: MN State Energy Code, based on the 1995 MEC, mandatory statewide; can use REScheck to show compliance.
  • Commercial Code: MN State Energy Code, exceeds ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1989, mandatory statewide; can use COMcheck to show compliance.
  • Code Change Cycle: No set schedule. Most recent residential code update was effective on April 15, 2000. Most recent commercial code update was effective on July 20, 1999.
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change Process: In 1999 the Minnesota legislature transferred authority for adopting the state's energy code from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Administration Building Codes and Standards Division. Additional changes to the code may be mandated by the state legislature. Anyone can submit changes to the Energy Division staff for consideration. The Building Codes and Standards Division will review new model codes for adoption with amendments appropriately on a three year cycle. The Administrative Procedure Act provides procedures that require a formal public hearing only if requested by 25 or more individuals.

State Code History: In 1979 individual counties outside of the seven-county Minneapolis/St. Paul area and incorporated cities with populations of less than 2,500 were given the option of enforcing a statewide building code. Many elected to have no enforcement within their area. Currently enforcement occurs for about 80% of the population base; approximately 20% of the population has no enforced energy code. For buildings not inspected by the State Department of Administration, interpretations are made at the local level. Disagreements may be forwarded to a local appeals board. The Department of Commerce is frequently asked for an opinion, but has no enforcement authority.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2005, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 406.7 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 351.6 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 758.3 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 4,919,479
  • Total Housing Units2: 2,132,632
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 40,832
    • 1 unit: 32,183
    • 2 units: 452
    • 3 and 4 units: 779
    • 5+ units: 7,418
    • structures of 5+ units: 396

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
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Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

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