Saint Paul, MN Local Ordinances Guide

Saint Paul is a mid-sized city in Ramsey County, Minnesota, with about 312000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 153 ordinances across 40 categories that affect daily life in Saint Paul.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Open burning of yard waste, leaves, brush, and debris is prohibited in Saint Paul under the fire code and MPCA rules. Only recreational fires with clean wood are allowed..

Also covered: Smoke Detectors (moderate), Fireworks (restrictive), Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Saint Paul for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Short-Term Rental Permits: Saint Paul STR hosts register through the PAULIE online system with proof of ownership, insurance, Workers Comp, and an Affidavit of Compliance. Listings are banned until licensed..

Also covered: Host Platform Liability (moderate), Primary-Residence-Only Rule (moderate), Taxes & Fees (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Saint Paul for details.

Noise from Specific Sources

Car Alarm Limits: Saint Paul has no standalone car-alarm ordinance; a triggered alarm is regulated instead under Legislative Code § 293.02(e)(3), which bans sounding "any horn or signal device" on a vehicle, except as a danger or traffic warning, in a way likely to annoy a reasonable neighbor. Violations are misdemeanors under the Chapter 293 penalty..

Also covered: Delivery Truck Noise (moderate), Generator Noise (moderate). See the full noise from specific sources guide for Saint Paul for details.

Animal Ordinances

Pet Store Rules: Saint Paul pet shops can't sell, barter, auction or otherwise transfer dogs or cats at all under City Code § 347.05(c). They may only host animal shelters and rescue groups showcasing adoptable dogs and cats at least eight weeks old, effectively turning every licensed pet shop into an adoption venue rather than a retail source for those two species..

Also covered: Cat Rules (moderate), Pet Limits (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Saint Paul for details.

Trash & Recycling

Illegal Dumping: Saint Paul bars contractors from tracking or dumping construction debris onto streets, alleys, and sidewalks. Sec.

Also covered: Yard Waste Collection (moderate), Dumpster Rules (moderate), Collection Schedule (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Saint Paul for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Pawnbrokers: Running a pawnshop in Saint Paul requires a city pawnbroker license under Legislative Code § 344.01, plus a $5,000 surety bond under § 344.03(b). Licensees must report every transaction to police daily via the Automated Pawn System, photograph each customer and item, and hold pledged goods for a minimum 90-day redemption period before they can be sold..

Also covered: Massage Establishments (moderate), Tobacco Retail License (moderate), Towing Companies (restrictive). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Saint Paul for details.

Public Conduct

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions: Saint Paul bans smoking in every city park and within 25 feet of the entrances, exits, windows, and air intakes of public places and workplaces. Sec.

Also covered: Loitering Rules (moderate), Skateboarding Rules (limited), Public Marijuana Use (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Saint Paul for details.

Special Events & Permits

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés: A Saint Paul restaurant already licensed under Legislative Code Chapter 331A can apply to the Department of Safety and Inspections for a sidewalk café license plus a separate right-of-way obstruction permit under § 106.01(b), letting it expand seating onto the sidewalk directly abutting its own premises. The city can add conditions or pull approval anytime without a hearing if health, safety or nuisance concerns arise..

Also covered: Street Fair Rules (moderate), Block Party Permits (moderate), Parade Permits (restrictive). See the full special events & permits guide for Saint Paul for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Saint Paul's Board of Water Commissioners can declare drought-phase watering restrictions under Legislative Code § 91.05, cutting outside watering to set hours, specific days, or banning it outright for irrigation or dust control. Restrictions activate only when the general manager declares a state-defined drought warning, restrictive, or emergency phase, and violators face escalating charges added straight to the water bill..

Also covered: Composting (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Tree Trimming (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Saint Paul for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

TNC Pickup Zones: Under Sec. 373.15(b) of the Legislative Code, Uber and Lyft drivers licensed in Saint Paul may not pick up or drop off riders on designated taxicab stands, in no-stopping or no-standing zones, or in any other area the city code or state law restricts..

Also covered: Shared E-Scooter Rules (moderate). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for Saint Paul for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: Saint Paul caps annual rent increases at 3% of the existing monthly rent for most residential rental units under Legislative Code § 193A.04, a rule voters approved in November 2021 that took effect January 1, 2023. Landlords who want more must win a Reasonable Return on Investment (RROI) exception from the Department of Safety and Inspections before the increase can take effect..

Also covered: Security Deposit Rules (moderate), Tenant Anti-Harassment (moderate), Rent Increase Notice (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Saint Paul for details.

Parking Rules

Towing & Impound Rights: Saint Paul impounds vehicles into a public pound that the police department runs itself: Sec. 162.04 makes the department the poundkeeper and puts the pound under the full and complete control of the chief of police.

Also covered: EV Charging (moderate), Commercial & Oversized Vehicles (restrictive), Snow Removal Parking Rules (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Saint Paul for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Saint Paul charges a 3% local lodging tax on transient stays under 30 days, stacked atop Minnesota's 6.875% sales tax for an effective rate near 10% paid by hotel and short-term rental guests..

Sign Regulations

Freeway-Facing Signs: A nonconforming billboard within 330 feet of I-94 or I-35E north of I-94 that is designed to be read from the freeway may convert to a dynamic-display billboard only if it is at least one mile from any other converted billboard and the owner removes other billboards citywide as an offset..

Also covered: Digital Billboards (restrictive), Window Signs (moderate), Political Signs (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Saint Paul for details.

Building Safety

Lead Paint: Saint Paul bans applying paint with lead content at or above 0.06 percent by weight to any residential surface, interior or exterior, under Sec. 34.10(8)(a).

Also covered: Elevator Maintenance (moderate), Electrical Permits (moderate), Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Saint Paul for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Saint Paul bars minors from public streets, parks, and other unsupervised public places during set curfew hours: 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Saint Paul for details.

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: Saint Paul's Legislative Code Chapter 44 bars police, fire and city attorney criminal-division staff from questioning, arresting or detaining anyone solely to enforce federal civil immigration law. Adopted by the city council in 2004 (C.F.

Tobacco & Vaping

Flavored Tobacco Bans: Saint Paul bans the retail sale of flavored tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products citywide, but carves out an exception for dedicated tobacco products shops. Legislative Code § 324.07(j) prohibits selling, offering, or distributing any 'flavored product,' defined to include menthol, mint, fruit, candy, and dessert flavors, unless the retailer holds a tobacco products shop license under § 324.07(l)(3)..

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Saint Paul caps residential building height by zoning district under Table 66.231: 35 feet in the RL large-lot and H1 districts, 39 feet in H2 (36 feet for flat or shed roofs), 40 feet in RM1, and 50 feet in RM2, with no maximum in RM3..

Also covered: Lot Coverage Limits (moderate), Setback Rules (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Saint Paul for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending: Saint Paul peddlers and cart vendors can't just plant themselves on a sidewalk or street to sell. Sec.

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate), Food Truck Permits (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Saint Paul for details.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Encroachment Permits: Building or maintaining anything that projects into a Saint Paul public right-of-way, retaining walls, areaways, nonstandard walks, tunnels, and similar structures, needs written permission from the public works director under Chapter 134. Applicants file plans, pay council-set fees, and accept full liability for the encroachment, and the city can revoke the permit for unsafe conditions..

Also covered: Obstruction Rules (moderate), Sidewalk Repair (moderate). See the full sidewalk & pedestrian rules guide for Saint Paul for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Saint Paul allows home occupations one identification sign no larger than two square feet. It may not be in a required yard setback.

Also covered: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (permissive), Cottage Food Operations (moderate), Home Daycare (moderate). See the full home business guide for Saint Paul for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Saint Paul allows up to two accessory dwelling units per one-family home under Section 65.913, capping each unit at 800 square feet or 75 percent of the principal home's floor area, whichever is greater, and barring ADUs from ever being sold separately from the main house..

Also covered: Shed & Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Saint Paul for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Density Bonus Law: Saint Paul lets H1 and H2 residential lots add extra dwelling units and 5% more lot coverage in exchange for affordable housing, larger units, or preserving existing structures, under footnote (b) to the Zoning Code's dimensional standards table..

Fence Regulations

Material Restrictions: Saint Paul bans barbed wire fencing on or near any residential lot and prohibits aboveground electric fences citywide except for animal containment at Como Zoo. Where barbed wire is allowed, non-residential lots only, it is capped at three strands starting six feet above grade, requires a building official application, and needs an annual $49 insurance-backed registration.

Also covered: Retaining Walls (moderate), Height Limits (moderate), Fence Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Saint Paul for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound: Saint Paul requires an amplified sound permit before any event's amplified music or announcements may exceed the city's baseline noise limits. The Department of Safety and Inspections issues permits under Legislative Code § 293.09, capping residential events at 80 dBA and non-residential events at 90 dBA, both measured 50 feet from the speaker, with a $138 fee per event..

Also covered: Leaf Blower Rules (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate), Decibel Limits (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Saint Paul for details.

Invasive Plant Rules

Prohibited Species: Saint Paul bans noxious weeds from boulevard gardens under Legislative Code § 105.04, adopting the state's Minn. Rules 1505.0730 list, species like Canada thistle, leafy spurge, poison ivy, and even hemp, as plants residents may never plant or maintain in the public right-of-way strip between sidewalk and street.

Rental Inspections

Inspection Programs: Saint Paul runs a proactive, points-based reinspection system for rental housing instead of waiting on tenant complaints. The Department of Safety and Inspections classifies every rental building A through D based on prior violation points per unit, then schedules the next Fire Certificate of Occupancy inspection automatically: as often as annually for the worst-performing buildings and as rarely as every six years for the cleanest ones..

Environmental Rules

Flood Elevation Requirements: Saint Paul defines the 'regulatory flood protection elevation' as at least 2 feet above the regional (100-year) flood's water surface profile, per Sec. 68.114.

Also covered: Stormwater Management (moderate), Climate Emergency Mobilization (moderate), Flood Zones (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Saint Paul for details.

Public Health Rules

Rodent Control: Any business that performs pest control in Saint Paul, trapping, chemical treatment, structural fixes, needs a Saint Paul Pest Control License under Sec. 334.01, with at least one master-licensed operator on staff and liability insurance on file.

Cannabis Regulations

Buffer Zones: Saint Paul keeps licensed cannabis retailers three hundred feet from every primary and secondary school. Sec.

Also covered: Personal Cultivation Limits (permissive), Dispensary Zoning (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Saint Paul for details.

Employment Preemption

Paid Leave Preemption: Saint Paul's 2017 Earned Sick and Safe Time ordinance predates Minnesota's 2024 statewide law and remains in force where it offers stronger protections, requiring all employers to provide accrued paid leave..

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing & Safety Requirements: Any pool open to the public, members, apartment residents, or hotel guests in Saint Paul needs a Sec. 360.01 public-pool license before it can operate.

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Saint Paul for details.

Right to Farm

Agricultural Zoning Protection: Saint Paul has no separate right-to-farm ordinance; agriculture is a regulated zoning use under Section 65.771, requiring a site plan and soil lead test for every farm use, a conditional use permit once the growing area passes one acre, and limits on on-site produce sales, storage sheds, and signage..

HOA Rules

CC&R Enforcement: CC&R enforcement in Saint Paul HOAs is governed by the association declaration and MN Stat. Ch.

Historic Preservation

Historic-Cultural Monuments: Saint Paul designates historic buildings, districts and objects as heritage preservation sites through the Heritage Preservation Commission and City Council, then locks in local review of any exterior work. Owners inside a designated site need commission sign-off before remodeling, building, moving or demolishing anything..

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass & Shielding: Saint Paul requires exterior building-illumination lighting, the kind typically used for security floodlights, to be placed and shielded so it doesn't interfere with the vision of people on adjacent highways or property..

Also covered: Billboard Lighting (moderate), Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Saint Paul for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Installing a solar system in Saint Paul requires a building permit priced at one percent of project valuation with an $85 minimum, plus compliance with zoning height and setback standards under § 65.921 for roof- and ground-mounted panels..

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: A building that's in danger of collapse, has loose exterior parts, or carries blistered and rotting siding is a 'nuisance' under Saint Paul's Legislative Code, and the city's enforcement officer can order it fixed, vacated, or torn down. Owners who miss the abatement deadline see the city do the work and assess the full cost against the property as a special charge on their tax bill..

Also covered: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Saint Paul for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Peddlers, transient merchants, and solicitors must get a license from Saint Paul before going door to door, per City Code § 345.02. Solicitors doing business strictly by appointment are exempt from the license.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Saint Paul for details.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Saint Paul includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.