Minneapolis's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, there are 12 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Noise Rules

STR hosts must post and enforce quiet hours matching Chapter 389 (10 PM to 7 AM). Repeated verified noise complaints can suspend or revoke a Minneapolis STR license.

Key details: Quiet hours: 10 PM to 7 AM. House rules: Required posting. Local contact: 60-minute response. Suspension threshold: Typically 3 in 12 months. Social host: Licensee liable.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Minneapolis code enforcement](https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Compared to other cities, Minneapolis takes a harder line on noise rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Occupancy Limits

Minneapolis caps STR occupancy at 2 guests per bedroom plus 2, with a hard maximum tied to the life-safety inspection. House rules must state the limit.

Key details: Formula: 2 per bedroom + 2. Example (2BR): 6 overnight. Egress required: Each bedroom. Events: Not permitted. Inspection: Life safety.

Insurance Requirements

Minneapolis requires STR licensees to carry at least 1 million USD in liability insurance, or to confirm platform-provided coverage of equivalent amount, as part of the license application.

Key details: Minimum coverage: 1 million USD. Platform coverage OK: If equivalent. Homeowners excl: Usually excluded. Direct bookings: Need standalone policy. Lapse: Suspension.

Compared to other cities, Minneapolis takes a harder line on insurance requirements. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Night Caps

Minneapolis does not impose a hard annual night cap on STRs. Type B unhosted rentals operate on the host's primary residence; Type C allows year-round rental with full license.

Key details: City annual cap: None. Type B primary: Verified by city. HOA caps: May be stricter. Zoning: Allowed in residential. Continuous ops: Permitted with license.

Parking Rules

STR guests must park legally on site or on street. Minneapolis winter parking (snow emergencies, even/odd sides) applies to guest vehicles. Listings must disclose parking.

Key details: Minimum parking: None mandated. Snow emergencies: Apply to guests. Permit parking: Some neighborhoods. Tow fee: ~250 USD. Disclosure: Required in listing.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Minneapolis code enforcement](https://www.minneapolismn.gov/snow/) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Host Presence Rule

Minneapolis Title 8 Chapter 277 distinguishes between hosted short-term rentals (host on-site) and unhosted dwelling rentals, applying different licensing tiers and operational requirements to each category.

Key details: Hosted definition: Operator on-site during stay. Unhosted license: Whole-dwelling separate tier. Code chapter: Title 8 Ch. 277. Enforcement: Regulatory Services Department.

Operating an unhosted whole-dwelling rental under a hosted-only license, or failing to update license type after moving out, results in license revocation, civil penalties, and listing platform takedown notices.

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Unlike many cities, Minneapolis does not restrict short-term rental licenses to primary residences. Investor-owned non-resident dwelling units may obtain Short-Term Rental Dwelling Licenses, subject to operational requirements.

Key details: Primary residence required: No, not required. Multi-unit allowed: Yes, separate licenses. State statute: Minn. Stat. Ch. 327. Local contact response: Within 60 minutes.

Operating without proper unhosted license, exceeding occupancy, or failing to maintain a 60-minute responder triggers license suspension, civil fines, and code enforcement action by Regulatory Services.

The rules around primary-residence-only rule in Minneapolis lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Host Platform Liability

Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar platforms must register with Minneapolis Regulatory Services, verify host licenses, remit lodging taxes, and respond to delisting requests for unlicensed listings under Title 8 Chapter 277.

Key details: Platform license required: Yes, separate registration. Delisting deadline: 5 business days. Data reports: Quarterly to city. Tax remittance: Minn. Stat. §297A.

Platforms failing to display license numbers, ignoring delisting requests, or failing to remit tax data face civil penalties per listing, enforcement orders, and potential operating injunctions.

Repeat Violator Strikes

Minneapolis Title 8 Chapter 277 authorizes license suspension or revocation when a short-term rental accumulates verified violations, with escalating penalties for noise, occupancy, or nuisance complaints within rolling periods.

Key details: Strike threshold: Three in 12 months. Suspension max: 90 days. Revocation duration: Up to 24 months. Appeal route: City Council committee.

Continued operation after suspension or revocation, hosting on a delisted property, or failing to comply with corrective orders triggers daily civil penalties, criminal misdemeanor citations, and platform delisting.

Compared to other cities, Minneapolis takes a harder line on repeat violator strikes. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Taxes & Fees

Minneapolis STRs collect 6.875 percent MN sales tax, 3 percent Minneapolis lodging tax, 2.5 percent Minneapolis entertainment tax, plus county taxes. Platforms like Airbnb remit most automatically.

Key details: MN sales tax: 6.875 percent. City lodging: 3 percent. City entertainment: 2.5 percent. County adds: ~0.65 percent. Platform remittance: Airbnb/VRBO yes.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Minneapolis code enforcement](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/469.190) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Compared to other cities, Minneapolis takes a harder line on taxes & fees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Registration Rules

Every Minneapolis STR must display its license number on every listing. Platforms must verify the number, and the city maintains a searchable STR license database.

Key details: Display license: Required on all listings. Platform duty: Verify and delist. Renewal: Annual. Public lookup: Available. Unlicensed fine: From 500 USD/day.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Minneapolis code enforcement](https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business/licenses-permits/short-term-rentals/) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Minneapolis actively enforces its registration rules requirements.

Permit Requirements

Minneapolis requires every short-term rental to hold a city STR license under Title 13. Licenses include Type A (hosted), Type B (unhosted, owner-occupied property), and Type C (non-owner-occupied).

Key details: Ordinance: Chapter 281. License types: A, B, C. Local contact: Required, 60-min response. Platform duty: Verify license. Application: Licenses and Consumer Services.

Compared to other cities, Minneapolis takes a harder line on permit requirements. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Minneapolis is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 12 rules covered here, 6 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Minneapolis, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Minneapolis can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.