Fair Housing: Minnesota

This page is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute, and should not be construed as, legal advice. This page is not intended to provide a mandatory standard of care for the industry. Please consult with local counsel before taking any action based off of the information provided. 

On these pages, you will find information about 1) the protected classes in each state’s fair housing law, 2) protected classes in the cities and counties in the state’s three largest city or metropolitan areas, and 3) protected class information in additional jurisdictions of interest to NAA members. We highlight source of income protections, where applicable, that could substantially impact industry operations. Please see the footnotes. NAA also has resources on the federal fair housing protections that apply nationwide.

We are currently in the process of optimizing NAA’s Fair Housing Protected Class Resources. If you do not see a jurisdiction of interest, please reach out to the NAA Government Affairs Team at [email protected].

Information on this page is current as of September 2022.

Minnesota Protected Classes

(State of Minnesota Statutes § 363A.09)

  • Race
  • Color
  • National Origin
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • Familial Status
  • Disability
  • Creed
  • Marital Status
  • Recipient of Public Assistance1
  • Sexual Orientation                         

1Public Assistance is defined in sub-section 47 as the condition of being a recipient of federal state, or local assistance, including medical and rental assistance and supplements. However, COA case Edwards v Hopkins (Edwards v. Hopkins Plaza L.P., 783 N.W.2d 171, 2010 Minn. App.) allows property owners to opt out of accepting Section 8 assistance for business reasons.

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Blue Earth County Municipal Code)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Mankato Protected Classes

(Mankato Municipal Code §9.11 Subd. 5)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Student Status

 

(Nicollet County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Anoka County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes.

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Dakota County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Burnsville Protected Classes

(Burnsville Municipal Code)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes

Inner Grove Heights Protected Classes

(Inner Grove Heights Municipal Code)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Hennepin County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes.

Bloomington Protected Classes

(Bloomington Municipal Code)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes

City of Minneapolis Protected Classes

(City of Minneapolis Municipal Code Title 7 § 139.40[e])

In addition to enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Recipient of Public Assistance2 3
  • ​Ancestry
  • Gender Identity
  • Emancipated Minor Status

Edina Protected Classes

(Edina Municipal Code § 2-116)

In addition to enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Age
  • Gender Expression

Minnetonka Protected Classes

(Minnetonka Home Rule Charter § 12.10)

In addition to enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected class:

  • Ancestry

New Hope Protected Classes

(New Hope Municipal Code §2-25)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes

Plymouth Protected Classes

(Plymouth Fair Housing Policy)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes

St. Louis Park Protected Classes

(St. Louis Park Municipal Code; Fair Housing Policy)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes

2Public Assistance means The condition of being a recipient of federal, state, or local assistance, including medical, rental, and public assistance programs, as well as federal, state, and local rental assistance and supplements. However, The Court of Appeals case Edwards v Hopkins (Edwards v. Hopkins Plaza L.P., 783 N.W.2d 171, 2010 Minn. App.) allows property owners to opt out of accepting Section 8 assistance for business reasons.

3The MN Supreme Court, in Fletcher v Minneapolis (Fletcher Props. v. City of Minneapolis, 947 N.W.2d 1, 2020 Minn. LEXIS 360, 2020 WL 4342651) affirmed Minneapolis' protection of those receiving section 8 assistance if they can show refusal of tenancy was not for business reasons.

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Ramsey County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes.

City of St. Paul Protected Classes

(City of St. Paul Municipal Code §§ 183.01 and 183.06)​

In addition to enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Age
  • Ancestry

(Scott County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Washington County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Woodbury Protected Classes

(Woodbury Municipal Code)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Olmsted County Code and Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes.

City of Rochester Protected Classes

(Rochester Municipal Code)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes.