Building Standards

Minnesota Housing establishes minimum design standards to meet Minnesotans' needs for decent, safe and sustainable affordable housing. These standards assist architects and contractors in understanding their role within Minnesota Housing's development process and associated requirements with their services.

Multifamily Rental Housing Design/Construction Standards and Guides

2023 Rental Housing Design/Construction Standards (RHD/CS) - Applicable to all Multifamily projects. Multifamily projects may include single family homes, duplexes, townhomes and multi-storied buildings with elevators in which the occupants are renters and do not own the property.

Architect's Guide

Contractor's Guide

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Sustainability

2023 MN Overlay and Guide to the 2020 Enterprise Green Communities Criteria

The 2022 MN Overlay and Guide adopts and overlays the 2020 version of the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria (EGCC). The 2020 version of EGCC is available on the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria website)

Multifamily Intended Methods Worksheet

Limited Scope Project Sustainability Requirements - To be used ONLY with Rental Rehabilitation Deferred Loan (RRDL), Publicly Owned Housing Program (POHP) or if approved for use by Minnesota Housing.

Criteria 5.1b Prescriptive Pathway Compliance Worksheet

2020 Enterprise Green Communities Criteria 1.1 Integrative Design Project Priorities Survey

Minnesota Housing’s Sustainability and Energy Efficiency webpage

Environmental Standards

All properties receiving funding assistance must be free of hazardous materials, contamination, toxic chemicals and gases, and radioactive substances. If a hazard could afflict the health and safety of occupants or conflict with the intended utilization of the property, evaluation and mitigation shall be performed. Learn more about Environmental Standards, such as Phase I ESA's, Radon Mitigation, etc.

Forms and Templates

Universal Design (UD) Worksheet (UD Worksheet) (for use when UD RFP selection points are selected and validated with a funding award)

Waiver Request Form (for use when requesting a waiver from any Building Standards such as Rental Housing Design/Construction Standards, MN Overlay, Environmental Policy, Architect's Guide, Contractor's Guide, etc.)

Physical Needs Assessment Template (Multifamily buildings)

Physical Needs Assessment Template (Single family homes)

20 Year Capital Expenditure Template

20 Year Capital Expenditure Template (scattered site/multiple building type version)

20 Year Capital Expenditure Template Instructions

Architects Opinion Letter (for loan closing and commitment)

Certificate of General Contractor and Owner (for construction close-out checklist)

Limited Scope Project Sustainability Requirements - To be used ONLY with Rental Rehabilitation Deferred Loan (RRDL), Publicly Owned Housing Program (POHP) or if approved for use by Minnesota Housing

Limited Scope Project Abbreviated Design Standards - To be used ONLY with Rental Rehabilitation Deferred Loan (RRDL), Publicly Owned Housing Program (POHP) or if approved for use by Minnesota Housing

Accessibility Analysis and Survey Template - Example (optional)

Minnesota Housing Logo Usage - Partners and developers may need to use a Minnesota Housing logo for brochures, conference materials, signage or other uses.