Owatonna, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 151 (2026) § 151.99
PENALTY
Operative Text
(A) Violations; penalty generally. A violation of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the city from pursuing other legal remedies, including injunctive relief for any violation of this chapter. (1992 Code, § 460:12) (B) Complaints. (1) Penalty for retaliation against complainant. It is a misdemeanor for any person to take retaliatory action against, harass or intimidate any person who makes a good faith complaint against real property within the city. (2) Penalty for filing false or malicious complaint. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to file a false or malicious complaint of violations of state law or local ordinance concerning the use of real property. (1992 Code, § 460:05) (Ord. 1315, passed 5-20-2003; Ord. passed - -)
Owatonna Ch. 151 Rental Housing § 151.99 establishes that violations of the rental housing chapter are classified as misdemeanors under local law. The provision also makes it a misdemeanor to retaliate against, harass, or intimidate someone who files a good-faith complaint about rental property, as well as to file a false or malicious complaint. The city retains the ability to pursue additional legal remedies, such as injunctive relief, alongside or instead of criminal misdemeanor charges.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 151.99, any violation of Owatonna's rental housing chapter can result in a misdemeanor charge, so operators generally maintain properties in full compliance with all applicable requirements of Ch. 151. Compliant property managers refrain from any action that could be construed as retaliation, harassment, or intimidation toward a tenant or other person who has filed a good-faith complaint. Because the city may also seek injunctive relief, operators typically address identified violations promptly to avoid court-ordered remedies in addition to criminal exposure.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 151.99 of Owatonna's rental housing code provides meaningful protections for tenants who report concerns in good faith: retaliating against, harassing, or intimidating a complainant is itself a misdemeanor offense. If a tenant believes a landlord has taken adverse action in response to a legitimate complaint, that conduct may constitute a separate violation under § 151.99, which can be reported to the city. Tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help individuals understand what options may be available, including how the city's authority to seek injunctive relief under this provision might be relevant to their situation.
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.
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