New downtown St. Paul skyway rules, centered largely on hours of operation and public safety, took effect Wednesday.

The rules were approved last month by the St. Paul City Council. The skyways can now close at midnight, at the earliest, instead of 2 a.m. Building owners are also now required to place security cameras in their skyways, though they may opt out if they have live security personnel.

In a statement, St. Paul Safety and Inspections officials said skyway users can expect to soon see wayfinding maps that pair with a cellphone application at stpaul.gov/skywaymap, city signs detailing a skyway code of conduct, and improved signage. Building owners will also be expected to replace worn and stained carpeting and more closely monitor temperatures for consistent heating and cooling.

Disturbances in the skyway — from youth loitering to homeless residents camping overnight — came to a head this summer when a building owner began closing her skyway entrance at 8 p.m., six hours earlier than allowed by city ordinance. Downtown residents and business owners have taken varied stances, with members of the disability community advocating for keeping the skyways open past midnight to allow seniors and the disabled easier access to downtown apartments after concerts and sporting events.