[Ord. No. 2017-069, 11-9-2017]
A. 
For the purpose of this Chapter, the following words or phrases shall have the meaning given herein:
LANDLORD
The owner or lessor of residential premises or a person authorized by the owner to exercise any aspect of the management of residential premises.
LEASE
A written or oral agreement for the use of possession of premises.
PREMISES
Land, tenements, condominium or cooperative units, and all other types of residential real property subject to a lease between a landlord and a tenant, including any facilities and appurtenances to such premises and any grounds, areas and facilities held out for the use of tenants generally or the use of which is promised to the tenant. "Premises" include structures, fixed or mobile, temporary or permanent, vessels, manufactured homes as defined in Section 700.010, RSMo., mobile trailer homes and vehicles which are used or intended for use primarily as a dwelling.
PUBLIC UTILITY PROVIDER
Includes every provider of a "public utility," as that term is defined in Chapter 386, RSMo., and subject to the jurisdiction, control and regulation of the Missouri Public Service Commission.
RENT
A stated payment for the temporary possession or use of a house, land or other real property made at fixed intervals by a tenant to a landlord.
TENANT
A person who occupies the premises with the landlord's consent.
[Ord. No. 2017-069, 11-9-2017]
A. 
A landlord, its agent, or any person commits the offense of illegal eviction by removing or excluding a tenant or the tenant's personal property from the premises without judicial process and court order, or by causing such removal or exclusion, or by causing the removal of the doors or locks to such premises, or by willfully diminishing services to a tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of essential services, including, but not limited to, electric, gas, water, or sewer service, to the premises.
B. 
A person does not commit the offense of illegal eviction by taking action to interrupt or diminish essential services to the premises if such action is taken for legitimate health or safety reasons. Neither shall this Section apply to any public utility provider who causes the interruption or diminishment of services to a tenant or a premises.
C. 
Provided that the landlord or its agent acts in full compliance with Section 441.065, RSMo., a person does not commit the offense of illegal eviction if the tenant abandons the premises.
[Ord. No. 2017-069, 11-9-2017]
Any waiver of this provision in any lease or other rental agreement shall be void, except with respect to any restriction on the provision of a service specified in this Chapter imposed by the United States or any agency thereof, or the State of Missouri or any political subdivision thereof, and not resulting from the acts or omissions of the landlord, and except for interruptions of any specified service during the time required to perform necessary repairs or inspections to apparatuses necessary for the delivery of said service or interruptions resulting from natural causes beyond the control of the landlord.
[Ord. No. 2017-069, 11-9-2017]
A tenant may pursue any civil remedy for violation of this Chapter regardless of whether or not a fine has been assessed to the landlord pursuant to this Chapter, and nothing in this Chapter shall reduce the amount that a tenant may recover in such civil action.
[Ord. No. 2017-069, 11-9-2017]
It shall be unlawful for any landlord or other person, firm, partnership, corporation, or any other legal entity to collect rent from a tenant for a premises for the period that the tenant is or has been illegally evicted from the premises.
[Ord. No. 2017-069, 11-9-2017]
Any person who violates the provisions of this Chapter shall be subject to of a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or a term of imprisonment not more than ninety (90) days, or both a fine and term of imprisonment.