Owatonna, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 115 (2026) § 115.23

LICENSE SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION

In Force
Verified 11/13/2026 · Next check 2/11/2027
OwatonnaInspections, Registration & Licensing

Operative Text

Owatonna, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 115 (2026) § 115.23
(A) Upon a determination that a license or right to obtain a license may be suspended or revoked, or that a fine or other sanctions may be imposed, a public hearing shall be held before a body to be known as the “Rental Housing Complaint Board”. The Rental Housing Complaint Board shall consist of a Council member from the ward in which the licensed premises are located, the City Administrator and the Mayor. The rental property owner shall be afforded an opportunity to appear at such hearing after receiving reasonable written notice in the manner provided in § 115.08 of this chapter. The notice shall state the time, place and issues involved. At this hearing, the rental property owners may present evidence of mitigating circumstances showing the absence of any need for a public hearing before Council to consider the revocation or suspension of the license or right to receive such a license, or the imposition of a fine or other sanctions. The Board shall in good faith hear and consider this evidence in making a determination to hold a public hearing. The recommendation of the Board shall be submitted to the City Council for its consideration. If the Council determines to call for a public hearing to consider the issue of suspension or revocation, or imposition of a fine, the Council shall follow the procedures described in division (B) below.


(B) No suspension or revocation shall be effective until the rental property owner has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing before the City Council. Should the City Council hold a public hearing pursuant to the recommendation of the Rental Housing Complaint Board, all parties shall be afforded an opportunity to appear at such a hearing after receiving reasonable notice in the manner provided in § 115.08 of this chapter. The notice shall state the time, place and issues involved. At this hearing, license holders may present evidence of the mitigating circumstances that would allow rental property owners to retain the license or right to obtain such a license. The Council shall in good faith hear and consider this evidence in making a determination to revoke or suspend the license or right to receive a license, impose civil penalties or impose other reasonable conditions based upon violations of this section. The City Council may postpone or discontinue such proceedings if it appears that the licensee has taken appropriate measures that will prevent further instances of disorderly use.


(C) The City Council reserves the right to impose any of the following sanctions for violations of this subchapter:


(1) Suspend the license or right to receive a license for up to 60 days;


(2) Revoke the license or right to obtain the license and establish the time period after which an application for a new certificate for the premises may be made;


(3) Impose a civil fine not to exceed an amount equal to one month’s rent for each violation found as a result of the hearings; or


(4) Impose other reasonable conditions intended to limit future incidents of disorderly use.


(D) Upon expiration of the suspension or revocation period, a license holder shall pay to the city a reinstatement fee equal to $100 for the first unit and $20 for each additional unit.


(1992 Code, § 455:15) (Ord. 1317, passed 5-20-2003)
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Owatonna Ch. 115 § 115.23 establishes a two-stage process for addressing serious rental housing violations: first, a Rental Housing Complaint Board reviews the matter and makes a recommendation, and then the City Council may hold a public hearing before imposing any sanctions. Possible sanctions include suspending a rental license for up to 60 days, revoking it entirely, imposing a civil fine of up to one month's rent per violation, or placing other conditions on the property's operation. No suspension or revocation takes effect until the property owner has had a meaningful opportunity to be heard at both stages. After a suspension or revocation period ends, a reinstatement fee applies before the license is restored.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on November 13, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under § 115.23, compliant rental operators in Owatonna generally maintain their properties and tenant relations in ways that avoid triggering the complaint and hearing process outlined in this provision. If a notice of hearing is issued under § 115.08, operators typically gather documentation of any corrective actions or mitigating circumstances to present before the Rental Housing Complaint Board and, if the matter proceeds, before the City Council. Operators who demonstrate that they have taken appropriate measures to prevent disorderly use may see proceedings postponed or discontinued. Those whose licenses are suspended or revoked should be aware that reinstatement requires payment of $100 for the first unit and $20 for each additional unit once the suspension or revocation period expires.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

§ 115.23 of Owatonna Ch. 115 creates a formal, multi-step process through which the city can act on serious rental housing violations, which may be relevant to tenants living in properties subject to complaints. Tenants who believe their landlord is violating the city's rental housing standards can look into whether a complaint has been or could be filed with the city, potentially triggering the Rental Housing Complaint Board review described in this provision. Tenant-rights organizations and local legal aid resources can help tenants understand how the complaint and hearing process works and what role, if any, tenants may play in those proceedings.

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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Related Rules

§ 14.544
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
§ 14.545
STANDARDS FOR HEALTH, SAFETY AND NUISANCE PREVENTION
§ 14.546
SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES

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