Ramsey, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. XIV § 26-659
Falsely reporting violations
Operative Text
No person shall report a violation of this chapter knowing or having reason to know that the report is false with the intent to affect the licensing status or inspection schedule of the rental dwelling.
Section 26-659 of the Ramsey Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26, Article XIV, prohibits anyone from filing a complaint or report about a rental housing violation when they know—or have reason to know—that the report is untrue and they intend to influence a rental property's licensing status or inspection schedule. The rule targets bad-faith reporting rather than honest mistakes, requiring both knowledge of falsity and a specific intent to manipulate the regulatory process. It applies to any person, meaning tenants, landlords, neighbors, or any other party could potentially be subject to this prohibition.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 26-659 of the Ramsey Code of Ordinances, property owners and managers should be aware that the code provides a measure of protection against bad-faith complaints filed with the intent to disrupt a rental dwelling's licensing or inspection standing. Compliant operators generally document the condition of their properties and maintain records that can help demonstrate the factual basis—or lack thereof—behind any complaint received. When a report appears to have been made in bad faith, landlords may wish to consult a qualified attorney about what remedies or defenses may be available under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 26-659 of the Ramsey Code of Ordinances makes clear that tenants and other individuals have a responsibility to report only violations they genuinely believe to exist; knowingly filing a false report with the intent to affect a landlord's licensing status or inspection schedule is prohibited. Tenants who have real, good-faith concerns about housing conditions are generally protected when they report those concerns honestly, and tenant-rights organizations can help clarify what constitutes a legitimate complaint under Chapter 26. If a tenant believes they are being retaliated against or pressured in connection with a complaint, consulting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office can help them understand their options.
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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