Isanti, Minn., Code of Ordinances ch. 253 (2026) § 253-14
No retaliation (Isanti Rental Dwellings)
Operative Text
A. No licensee shall evict, threaten to evict, or take any other punitive action against any tenant by reason of good-faith calls made by such tenant to: (1) The City Administrator, or their designee regarding a licensee's compliance with this chapter; or (2) Law enforcement or other governmental agencies relating to criminal activity, suspected criminal activity, suspicious occurrences, or public safety concerns. B. This section shall not prohibit the eviction of tenants for unlawful conduct of a tenant or invitee of the tenant or violation of any rules, regulations, or lawful lease terms.
Section 253-14 of Isanti's Code of Ordinances prohibits rental property licensees from evicting, threatening to evict, or otherwise retaliating against tenants because those tenants made good-faith reports to the City Administrator or to law enforcement and other government agencies about compliance issues, criminal activity, or public safety concerns. The rule draws a clear line: protected conduct is the act of reporting in good faith, not the underlying conduct being reported. Evictions based on a tenant's own unlawful behavior or genuine lease violations remain permissible under this section.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 253-14, compliant rental licensees in Isanti document the independent, non-retaliatory basis for any eviction or punitive action taken against a tenant, particularly when that tenant has recently made a report to the City Administrator or a law enforcement agency. Operators generally maintain records showing that adverse actions stem from documented lease violations or unlawful conduct rather than from a tenant's protected reporting activity. Keeping clear, contemporaneous records of lease-compliance issues helps demonstrate that any enforcement action is grounded in legitimate grounds, not in a tenant's exercise of their right to contact government agencies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 253-14 gives tenants in Isanti the right to contact the City Administrator, law enforcement, or other government agencies about safety, criminal activity, or a landlord's compliance with Chapter 253 without facing eviction or other punitive action as a result. If a tenant believes an eviction or threat is connected to such a report, that connection may be raised as a defense in eviction proceedings or brought to the attention of the City Administrator or their designee. Tenants who want to understand their options can also reach out to a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about how § 253-14 protections work in practice.
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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