Fergus Falls, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 98 (2026) § 98.02
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. COMMISSION. The Community Rights Commission established and appointed as provided in § 32.25 of this code of ordinances. EDUCATION. Access to, use of or benefit from any educational institution or school which is open to, accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public. EMPLOYEE. Any person who works for a wage, salary or commission in the service of any employer. EMPLOYER. Any person who employs two or more employees within the city. EMPLOYMENT AGENCY. A person who, or an agency which regularly undertakes, with or without compensation, to procure employees or opportunities for employment. LABOR ORGANIZATION. Any organization that exists wholly or partly for one or more of the following purposes: (1) Collective bargaining; (2) Dealing with employers concerning grievances, forms or conditions of employment; or (3) Mutual aid or protection of employees. NATIONAL ORIGIN. The place of birth of an individual or of any of his or her lineal ancestors. PERSON. Includes a partnership, association, corporation, municipal corporation, school or school district, county, legal representative and trustee. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS. Includes access to, use of or benefit from any place which is open to, accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public or offers goods or services to the general public; such as: hotels; motels; theaters; places of amusement or recreation; restaurants; bars; taverns; retail stores; all forms of public conveyance and the stations and terminals thereof; public buildings; parks and facilities; barber and beauty shops; hospitals; and clinics. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS does not include bona fide private clubs where the accommodations, facilities and services are restricted to the members of the club and their guests. PUBLICLY ASSISTED HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS. A housing accommodation that is, or is located in a building: (1) Situated on land owned or assembled into a parcel for housing accommodations by a governmental body; (2) Upon which a commitment by a governmental body to guarantee or ensure an acquisition loan is outstanding; or (3) Subject to an outstanding secured or unsecured loan, made, guaranteed or insured by a governmental body for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair or maintenance of the building. REAL ESTATE BROKER AND SALESPERSON. Respectively, a REAL ESTATE BROKER as defined by M.S. §§ 82.55 et seq., as they may be amended from time to time, and a REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON , as defined by M.S. §§ 82.55 et seq., as they may be amended from time to time. REAL PROPERTY. Includes real estate, lands, tenements and hereditament, corporeal and incorporeal. UNFAIR DISCRIMINATION PRACTICE. Any act described in § 98.04 of this chapter. The word “discriminate” includes “segregate” or “separate”. (2002 Code, § 6.78)
Fergus Falls Ch. 98 Discrimination (Fair Housing) § 98.02 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the city's fair housing chapter. Terms such as "Commission," "publicly assisted housing accommodations," "real property," and "unfair discrimination practice" are given specific legal meanings that govern how the rest of the chapter is interpreted and applied. These definitions set the scope of who and what is covered — from employers with two or more workers to housing tied to government financing — and clarify that discriminatory conduct includes acts of segregation or separation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Fergus Falls should be aware that § 98.02 defines the key terms that determine whether their properties and practices fall within the scope of the city's fair housing rules. "Publicly assisted housing accommodations" has a specific meaning under this section that may capture buildings with government-backed loans or situated on government-assembled land, potentially expanding coverage beyond what some operators might assume. Familiarity with these definitions helps operators understand which obligations and prohibitions in the broader Ch. 98 framework apply to their specific housing stock.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Fergus Falls can look to § 98.02 to understand the scope of the city's fair housing protections, including what qualifies as "real property," who counts as a covered person, and what conduct constitutes an "unfair discrimination practice" as referenced in § 98.04. The definition of "Commission" in this section identifies the Community Rights Commission as the body established under § 32.25 of the city code, which may be a relevant point of contact for those exploring how fair housing complaints are handled locally. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Fergus Falls ordinances can help individuals understand how these definitions apply to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.