Suits by private parties.
Saint Paul Legislative Code § 183.202
in effectSec. 183.202. - Suits by private parties.
(1) Time frame for action. A person may bring a civil action seeking redress for an unfair discriminatory practice directly to the district court wherein the unlawful discriminatory practice is alleged to have been committed or where the respondent resides or has a principal place of business. In addition, a person may bring civil action:
(a) Within forty-five (45) days after receipt of notice that the director has dismissed a charge because it is frivolous or without merit, because:
1. The complainant has failed to provide required information;
2. The director has determined that further use of department resources is not warranted; or
3. The investigation of the charge has concluded in a no cause determination.
(b) Within forty-five (45) days after receipt of notice that the director has reaffirmed a determination of no cause if the complainant requested a reconsideration of the no cause determination or has decided not to reopen a dismissed case that the complainant has asked to be reopened; or
For the purposes of subsections 183.202(1)(a) and (b) above, receipt of notice is presumed to be five (5) days from the date of service by mail of the written notice.
(c) After forty-five (45) days from the filing of a charge pursuant to section 183.20, if the director has not entered into a predetermination settlement agreement to which the complainant is a party. The complainant shall notify the director of an intention to bring a civil action, which shall be commenced within ninety (90) days of giving the notice. This forty-five (45) day period shall not apply to real property cases.
(d) For cases involving an alleged violation of section 183.06, the aggrieved person may file in court up to two (2) years after the occurrence or termination of an alleged discriminatory housing practice or the breach of a conciliation agreement, whichever occurs later. The statute of limitations in these qualifying cases is tolled during the investigation.
(2) Mixed findings. If the director has issued both a cause and a no cause determination on separate issues in the same charge, the complainant may, if a hearing is held, require that all matters be heard at the hearing or may bring a civil action for the no cause charge(s) at the same time as the cause charge(s) under the rules and time frames that govern the cause charges.
(3) Proper notice by complainant. A complainant bringing a civil action shall mail a copy of the summons and complaint, by registered or certified mail to the director and upon their receipt the director shall terminate all proceedings in the department relating to the charge upon commencement of the civil action. No charge shall be filed or reinstituted with the director after a civil action relating to the same unfair discriminatory practice has been dismissed without prejudice.
(4) Intervention in civil actions. In cases alleging a violation of section 183.06, the following rights of intervention are available:
(a) any aggrieved person has the opportunity to intervene as of right when one of the parties in an administrative proceeding elects to resolve the matter via a civil action;
(b) The director may intervene in a private civil action after certifying the case is of general public importance; and
(c) An aggrieved person or a party to a conciliation agreement may intervene in a civil action commenced by the director.
(5) Relief which may be granted.
(a) In actions brought pursuant to section 183.202, if the court finds that a violation has occurred or is about to occur, the court may award to the plaintiff actual and punitive damages and, subject to subsection 183.202(5)(b), may grant as relief, as the court deems appropriate, any permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order (including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging in such practice or ordering such affirmative action as may be appropriate).
(b) Relief granted under this section shall not affect any contract, sale, encumbrance, or lease consummated before the granting of such relief and involving a bona fide purchaser, encumbrancer, or tenant, without actual notice of the filing of a verified charge or civil action under this chapter.
(C.F. No. 93-1177, § 10, 9-9-93; Ord. No. 11-105, § 1, 1-11-2012)
Source: City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, City Charter, Legislative Code and Administrative Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/st._paul/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILECO_TITXVIIIHURI_CH183HURI_S183.202SUPRPAFetched: 11/1/2026