Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 193 § 193.07
Enforcement: Retaliation prohibited
Operative Text
(a) All complaints pertaining to this chapter must be investigated by the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). Upon completion, DSI will issue a written department determination along with any required notifications to landlord, tenant, or applicant. (b) Appeal process: A landlord, tenant or applicant may appeal any determination of violation in this chapter: (1) Any appeals must be filed with the legislative hearing officer within thirty (30) days of the department's determination. (2) The legislative hearing officer must notify the landlord of any appeal filed by a tenant or applicant in accordance with timelines in Saint Paul Legis. Code Ch. 18.02. (3) The legislative hearing officer has the authority to review the complaint, department determination, appeal documents, and any other records relevant to the appeal. The legislative hearing officer must commence a public hearing and make a recommendation to council pursuant to Chapter 18 of the Code. (d) Private right of action created: Any tenant aggrieved by a landlord's noncompliance with this Chapter may seek redress in any court of competent jurisdiction to the extent permitted by law. These rights include, but are not limited to, those rights provided for in Minn. Stat. § 504B.395--471. (e) Penalty for violation: In addition failure to comply with the provisions of this Chapter may result in any other remedy available at equity or law. (f) Retaliation prohibited: In accordance with State law, a residential tenant may not be evicted, nor may the residential tenant's obligations under a rental agreement be increased or the services decreased, if the eviction or increase of obligations or decrease of services is intended as a penalty for the residential tenant's or housing- related neighborhood organization's complaint of a violation. The burden of proving otherwise is on the landlord if the eviction or increase of obligations or decrease of services occurs within ninety (90) days after filing the complaint, unless the complaint was not made in good faith. After ninety (90) days the burden of proof is on the residential tenant. Landlords who violate State law concerning this subsection shall be liable to any and all remedies available under State and federal law. To the extent that State law differs from this provision, State law controls.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 193 § 193.07 establishes that complaints under Chapter 193 are investigated by the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI), which issues written determinations that can be appealed to a legislative hearing officer within 30 days. Tenants who are harmed by a landlord's noncompliance may also pursue remedies in court, including rights available under Minnesota state law. Critically, the provision prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants—through eviction, increased obligations, or reduced services—because a tenant or housing-related neighborhood organization filed a complaint; within 90 days of a complaint, the burden of proving non-retaliation falls on the landlord.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 193 § 193.07, compliant property owners and managers cooperate with DSI investigations and respond to written determinations in a timely manner, filing any appeals with the legislative hearing officer within the 30-day window. Operators are mindful that any eviction, rent increase, or reduction in services occurring within 90 days of a tenant's complaint carries a legal presumption of retaliation, placing the burden of disproving retaliatory intent squarely on the landlord. Maintaining clear, contemporaneous documentation of business decisions—especially those that coincide in timing with a tenant complaint—is a practice generally associated with demonstrating good-faith compliance under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 193 § 193.07 gives tenants the right to file complaints with DSI and to appeal any determination of violation through the legislative hearing officer process within 30 days of a department decision. Tenants aggrieved by a landlord's noncompliance may also seek remedies in court, with additional rights available under Minn. Stat. § 504B.395–471. If a landlord retaliates—through eviction, higher obligations, or reduced services—within 90 days of a complaint, the law shifts the burden of proof onto the landlord; tenants who believe they have experienced retaliation may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or the legislative hearing officer's office to understand available enforcement paths.
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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