Cal. Civ. Code § DWD 220.07
Investigations.
Operative Text
DWD 220.07 Investigations. (1) Conduct of investigation. Except as provided under sub. (2), the department shall investigate all complaints that satisfy the review under s. DWD 220.05 (1). In conducting investigations under this chapter, the department may seek the cooperation of all persons to provide requested materials to the department; to obtain access to premises, records, documents, individuals, and other possible sources of information; to examine, record, and copy necessary materials; and to take statements of persons reasonably necessary for the furtherance of the investigation. The department may subpoena persons or documents for the purpose of the investigation. Subpoenas may be enforced pursuant to s. 885.11, Stats. (2) Dismissal of complaint prior to completion of investigation. (a) The department may dismiss a complaint prior to completion of an investigation under the following circumstances: 1. The complainant has failed to respond to correspondence from the department concerning the complaint within 20 days after the correspondence was sent by certified mail to the last known address of the person filing the complaint, in accordance with the provisions of s. 106.50 (6) (a) 6., Stats. 2. The allegations in the complaint have been previously dismissed by the department or by a state or federal court. (b) A complainant may appeal from an order dismissing a complaint under this subsection by filing a written appeal with the department. The appeal shall be filed within 20 days of the date of the order and shall state specifically the grounds upon which it is based. If a timely appeal is filed, the department shall serve a copy of the appeal upon all other parties. The matter shall be referred to the hearing section of the division for review by an administrative law judge. The administrative law judge shall issue a decision which shall either affirm, reverse, modify, or set aside the dismissal of the complaint. The decision of the administrative law judge shall be served upon the parties. If the decision reverses or sets aside the dismissal, the complaint shall be remanded for further investigation. If the decision affirms the preliminary determination, the complainant may seek judicial review if it is a final decision and order as defined in s. DWD 220.24.
Wisconsin Administrative Code § DWD 220.07 establishes how the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) handles investigations of fair housing complaints that pass initial review under § DWD 220.05(1). The department is authorized to gather evidence broadly — including accessing premises, copying records, and issuing subpoenas enforceable under state law. A complaint may be dismissed before an investigation concludes if the complainant fails to respond to certified mail within 20 days or if the same allegations have already been resolved by the department or a court. A complainant whose case is dismissed has the right to appeal that dismissal through an administrative law judge, and potentially through judicial review if the decision qualifies as final.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § DWD 220.07, property owners and managers who are the subject of a fair housing complaint may be contacted by the DWD as part of a formal investigation. Compliant operators generally cooperate with requests for access to premises, records, and documents, and respond promptly to any departmental correspondence. Being aware that the department holds subpoena authority under this provision helps operators understand the scope of the investigative process they may encounter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § DWD 220.07 gives tenants and other complainants the assurance that the DWD is required to investigate complaints that clear the initial review threshold. If the department sends correspondence by certified mail, responding within the 20-day window is important to keep a complaint active, as failure to do so is one of the grounds for dismissal under this provision. If a complaint is dismissed, a written appeal can be filed with the department within 20 days of the dismissal order, and tenant-rights organizations can help complainants understand the administrative appeal and potential judicial review process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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