Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 183 § 183.15
Plan to reduce or eliminate imbalance
Operative Text
It is not a violation of this chapter for any person subject thereto to carry out a plan to reduce or eliminate imbalance with respect to race, color, sex, sexual or affectional orientation, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age or disability, even though such plan may mean selectivity with respect to employment, housing, or education, provided such plan is filed with the department and is not disapproved by the director or commission on grounds it is not a bona fide plan to reduce imbalance. All persons executing such approved plans shall at the request of the director provide relevant information concerning their execution.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 183 § 183.15 creates a safe harbor within the chapter's anti-discrimination framework: a person or entity that voluntarily adopts a plan aimed at reducing or eliminating demographic imbalance—covering characteristics such as race, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability—does not commit a violation even if that plan involves selective practices in housing, employment, or education. The plan must be filed with the department and must not be disapproved by the director or commission on the basis that it is not a genuine effort to address imbalance. Those carrying out an approved plan are also required to share relevant information about its execution when the director requests it.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 183 § 183.15 who wish to implement a voluntary affirmative-housing plan should ensure the plan is formally filed with the appropriate department before putting it into practice. Compliant operators document the plan's objectives and maintain records of its execution so they can respond to any informational requests from the director. Keeping the plan on file and cooperating with oversight inquiries are the hallmarks of operating within this provision's safe harbor.
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. 183 § 183.15 means that a housing provider's use of selective criteria is not automatically a violation of the chapter if it is part of a properly filed and approved plan to address demographic imbalance. Tenants who believe a housing provider is using a claimed affirmative plan as a pretext for discriminatory treatment may inquire whether the plan has actually been filed and approved by the director or commission. Tenant-rights organizations and the department itself can be resources for understanding whether a plan meets the bona fide standard required by this provision.
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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