Virginia, Minn., Mun. Code § 10.40 (2026) § 10.43
AUTHORITY
Operative Text
(A) Violation; penalty . Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter may be charged with a violation thereof and be subject to the penalty provided in City Code, § 10.37 (K), which is a misdemeanor and shall be punished as established in M.S. § 609.02, plus the costs of prosecution in either case. (B) Enforcement alternatives . Enforcement actions provided in this section shall not be exclusive, and the city may take any action with respect to a licensee, a tenant, or a rental unit(s) as is authorized by the city code or state law. (C) Retaliation; waive, prohibited . No licensee or the licensee's agent shall bar or limit a tenant's right to call for police or emergency assistance in response to domestic abuse or any other conduct or impose a penalty on a tenant for calling for police or emergency assistance in response to domestic abuse or any other conduct. A tenant may not waive and no such licensee or licensee's agent may require the tenant to waive the tenant's right to call for police or emergency assistance. Any such waiver contained in a rental agreement shall be null and void and unenforceable. (Ord., passed 4-11-2023)
Virginia § 10.40 Rental Housing Maintenance Code § 10.43 establishes that violations of the chapter's requirements can result in a misdemeanor charge and punishment under the referenced statutory framework, along with prosecution costs. The provision also makes clear that enforcement options are not limited to those listed — the city retains the ability to pursue any other legally available action against landlords, tenants, or rental units. Separately, the rule prohibits any attempt to restrict or penalize a tenant's right to call for police or emergency assistance, including for domestic abuse, and declares any lease clause purporting to waive that right to be null and void.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 10.43, property owners and managers are expected to ensure full compliance with the Rental Housing Maintenance Code, since violations can carry misdemeanor-level consequences plus prosecution costs. Compliant operators do not include any lease language — express or implied — that would restrict a tenant's ability to call for police or emergency services, as such clauses are unenforceable by law. Because § 10.43(B) preserves the city's right to pursue additional enforcement actions beyond those listed, operators generally maintain records and practices that demonstrate ongoing code compliance across all rental units.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 10.43(C) affirms that tenants have a protected right to call for police or emergency assistance — including in situations involving domestic abuse — and that no landlord or their agent may penalize or restrict that right. If a rental agreement contains language purporting to waive this right, that clause is legally void and unenforceable under this provision. Tenants who believe a landlord has retaliated against them for seeking emergency assistance may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization, the city's code enforcement office, or consulting with a legal aid provider to understand available options.
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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