13 verified short-term rentals rules for Saint Paul, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Saint Paul requires an annual STR Host License ($42) under Chapter 379. Non-owner-occupied properties need a Fire Certificate of Occupancy. Operating unlicensed is a $300 fine.
Saint Paul DSI - Short-Term Rental Host and Platform License (License, Fire Certificate of Occupancy, and Inspection Requirements)
A Short-Term Rental Host license is required for any person who is the owner or tenant of a dwelling unit, or portion thereof who provides a dwelling unit for short-term rental use. Short term means a period of less than 30 days. It is unlawful for any person to engage in a short-term rental advertisement or operate as a short-term rental host within the city without a valid Short-Term Rental H...
Saint Paul STRs must follow Chapter 293 noise limits: 65 dBA daytime (7 AM-10 PM) and 55 dBA nighttime (10 PM-7 AM). Events and parties are prohibited at STR properties.
Saint Paul City Ordinance Sec. 293.07 (Noise and Sound-Level Limits)
Noise Limits by Area Most residential areas have a basic 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. limit of 65 decibels adjusted (dBa) averaged for one hour, which is equivalent to a common conversation. Other areas, such as industrial or business districts, may go up to 70-80 dBa, roughly equivalent to a passing semi truck. An interactive map of Saint Paul's zoning districts can be found here. The below chart is...
Saint Paul STR hosts must collect about 12.4% in combined taxes: 6.875% state sales tax, 1.5% city sales tax, 3% lodging tax, and 1% transit taxes. The annual license fee is $42.
Saint Paul has no STR-specific parking rules. Guests follow standard residential parking regulations and must move vehicles during declared snow emergencies.
Saint Paul caps STR units per building by property type: 1 unit for single-family homes, up to 4 for owner-occupied fourplexes, and 50% (max 4) for larger buildings without a CUP.
Saint Paul DSI - Short Term Rentals Requirements (effective December 2, 2017)
Effective December 2, 2017, Short Term Rentals (STRs) will be allowed throughout the City of Saint Paul. By ordinance, a Short Term Rental: Consists of a dwelling, or portion of a dwelling unit, rented for a period of less than thirty days. Cannot be used for commercial or social events. Cannot be advertised unless they are compliant with the city, state, and federal law. This includes listing ...
Saint Paul STR hosts need $300,000 aggregate liability insurance via ACORD certificate. Hosts using only Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway may rely on platform coverage instead.
Saint Paul DSI - Short-Term Rental Host and Platform License (Proof of Insurance Requirements)
Proof of Insurance: Either an ACORD Certificate of Insurance evidencing coverage of the short-term rental use in the aggregate of not less than $300,000 listing the licensing name and short-term rental address as the insured, and the "City of Saint Paul" as the certificate holder (Example of ACORD Certificate) OR indication on license application that you are only using Airbnb, VRBO and/or Home...
Saint Paul imposes no annual night cap on short-term rentals. Licensed hosts may operate year-round regardless of owner occupancy status.
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.
Saint Paul DSI - Short-Term Rental Host and Platform License (Application Requirements; Chapter 379 and Section 65.645 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code)
Short Term Rental Host A Short-Term Rental Host license is required for any person who is the owner or tenant of a dwelling unit, or portion thereof who provides a dwelling unit for short-term rental use. Short term means a period of less than 30 days. It is unlawful for any person to engage in a short-term rental advertisement or operate as a short-term rental host within the city without a va...
Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 65 (Zoning) and Chapter 376 distinguish between owner-occupied short-term rentals (host present during stay) and unhosted whole-home rentals, with stricter conditions on the latter.
Saint Paul restricts most whole-home short-term rentals to the operator's primary residence, with limited exceptions for licensed investor-operated units, helping protect long-term housing stock under the city's rent-stabilization framework.
Saint Paul DSI tracks complaints and code violations against short-term rental licenses, and repeated substantiated complaints — typically noise, occupancy, or trash — can lead to license suspension or non-renewal under the city's nuisance framework.
Hosting platforms operating in Saint Paul must collect and remit Minnesota lodging tax and the city's transient lodging tax, and may be required to delist unlicensed properties when notified by the Department of Safety and Inspections.