Duluth, MN Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadbolt throw
- At least 1 inch
- Combos (master-keyed)
- 1,000 minimum
- Combos (not master-keyed)
- 10,000 minimum
- Window lock required
- Below 12 feet up
- Nonconforming device
- Needs 3 officials' approval
Summary
In the City of Duluth, every hotel or motel room exit door must have a deadbolt lock meeting Duluth Legislative Code § 29-11's specifications: a turn-knob or key-operated bolt with at least a one-inch throw, at least 1,000 interchange-free combinations if master-keyed (or 10,000 if not), and free operation from inside without a key.
(a) The exit doors of every hotel or motel room or suite of rooms shall be equipped with deadbolt locks meeting the specifications set forth herein. Such deadbolt locks shall be operated only by the turning of a knob or key and shall have a lock throw of not less than one inch. Deadbolt locks shall provide a minimum of 1,000 interchange-free combinations if they are master keyed or have at least 5 tumblers or provide a minimum of 10,000 interchange-free combinations if they are not master keyed. All such locks shall be installed according to the manufacturer's specifications and be maintained in good working order. All deadbolt locks required by this Section shall be designed and installed in such a manner so as to be operable from the inside of the dwelling unit or rooming unit without the use of a key, combination or any other special knowledge or effort; (b) All exterior windows in every hotel or motel room or suite of rooms located in whole or in part less than 12 feet above ground level shall be equipped with window sash locking devices which are maintained in good working order;
Full Breakdown
Section 29-11 of the Duluth Legislative Code, part of the city's hotel, motel and motor court chapter, sets hardware specifications rather than leaving room security to each operator's discretion. Subsection (a) requires every exit door of a hotel or motel room or suite to carry a deadbolt lock operated only by turning a knob or key, with a lock throw of at least one inch. The lock must provide a minimum of 1,000 interchange-free combinations if it is master-keyed or has at least five tumblers, or 10,000 interchange-free combinations if it is not master-keyed, must be installed to the manufacturer's specifications and kept in good working order, and must be operable from inside the room without a key, combination, or other special knowledge.
Subsection (b) extends the mandate to windows: every exterior window in a room or suite located wholly or partly less than 12 feet above ground level needs a window sash locking device kept in good working order. Subsection (c) allows a special-purpose locking device that does not meet those specifications, but only if the fire chief, the building official, and the chief of police all approve it, and they may not approve a nonconforming device unless they find it delivers building security and fire safety equivalent to a conforming deadbolt.
Violations & Fines
Section 29-11 doesn't spell out its own penalty, but noncompliant room security is enforceable through the hotel, motel and motor court license: Section 29-6 lets the city council revoke a hotel or motel's license for operating in violation of state law, the Code, or other city ordinances, and Section 29-8 lets the Chief Administrative Officer inspect at will and report violations to the council.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of lock must a Duluth hotel room door have?
Do hotel room windows need locks in Duluth?
Can a Duluth hotel use a different kind of lock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Duluth
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