Owatonna, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 115 (2026) § 115.24
PROSPECTIVE TENANT BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
Operative Text
(A) The City Council has determined that there are persons residing in rental property in the city engaging in disorderly conduct which results in a hostile environment for other city citizens living in or close to the rental property. It is declared that the purpose and intent of this section is to protect and preserve the city’s neighborhoods and the public health, safety, welfare and morals of citizens by providing a system at the local level for criminal history/background investigations of prospective tenants. (B) Any owner of rental property may request that the City Police Department conduct a criminal history background investigation of a prospective tenant. Such request shall be a form approved or provided by the City Police Department. The applicant shall pay an investigation fee as established by the City Council. (1992 Code, § 455:20) (Ord. 1317, passed 5-20-2003)
Owatonna Ch. 115 § 115.24 establishes a voluntary system through which rental property owners may ask the City Police Department to run a criminal history background check on a prospective tenant. The provision does not require landlords to conduct such investigations, nor does it mandate any particular outcome based on the results. A fee set by the City Council applies to each investigation request, which must be submitted on a form approved or provided by the Police Department.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Owatonna Ch. 115 § 115.24, landlords who wish to use this background-check program submit a Police Department-approved form and pay the applicable City Council-established fee. Participation is optional, and compliant operators who use the program follow the prescribed request process rather than conducting informal or unauthorized inquiries. Landlords should also be mindful that any screening decisions made on the basis of background investigation results must still conform to applicable fair housing laws.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Owatonna Ch. 115 § 115.24 gives landlords the option—but not the obligation—to request a police-conducted criminal background check on prospective tenants. Tenants who believe a screening decision based on such an investigation violated their fair housing rights may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the fair housing provisions elsewhere in Owatonna Ch. 115. General complaint pathways, such as contacting a local or state fair housing agency, may also be available depending on the nature of the concern.
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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