Short-Term Rentals in Dakota County, MN (2026)

10 rules for unincorporated Dakota County, Minnesota.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Dakota County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Permit Requirements

Dakota County has no short-term rental permit ordinance. Cities regulate STRs under Minn. Stat. Ch. 462. Mendota Heights, for example, requires an annual city license before any home may be rented short-term. Check your specific city.

Short-Term Rental Permits Are Set by Your City

Some Restrictions

Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-3(B)(1)(a)

No property shall be used as a short term home rental without a license issued by the City. The license once issued shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Dakota County sets no STR-specific noise rule. Cities require operators to keep guests from creating a nuisance and enforce local noise limits, which follow MPCA standards of 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night at the receiving property.

STR Noise Is a City Nuisance Matter

Some Restrictions

Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-4(B)

It is the responsibility of the owner operator to ensure that persons occupying the licensed premises conduct themselves in such a manner so as not to cause the premises to be disorderly or constitute a nuisance.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Minnesota sales tax applies to short-term rentals under 30 days. Dakota County has no county-wide lodging tax. Cities and towns may impose up to a 3% local lodging tax under Minn. Stat. 469.190. Operators must remit all applicable taxes.

STR Taxes: State Sales Tax Plus Any City Lodging Tax

Some Restrictions

Minn. Stat. 469.190, subd. 1

A statutory or home rule charter city may by ordinance, and a town may by the affirmative vote of the electors at the annual town meeting, or at a special town meeting, impose a tax of up to three percent on the gross receipts from the furnishing for consideration of lodging.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Dakota County has no STR parking rule. Cities set them. Mendota Heights limits overnight vehicles to the number allowed by its Property Maintenance Code and requires listings to state the overnight vehicle cap and post a parking map.

STR Parking Rules Come From Your City Code

Some Restrictions

Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-4(A)(4)

The maximum number of vehicles that may be parked overnight on the property shall be consistent with the Property Maintenance Code. Vehicles in garages shall not be counted towards total number of vehicles.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Dakota County sets no STR occupancy limit. Cities do. Mendota Heights caps rentals at five bedrooms and limits occupancy to two persons per bedroom (four in a bedroom over 280 square feet). Check your city's cap.

Occupancy Caps Are Set by Your City

Some Restrictions

Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-4(A)(2)

The maximum occupancy within the short term home rental dwelling unit shall be two (2) persons per bedroom in bedrooms less than 280 square feet in size. For a bedroom that is larger than 280 square feet, the maximum occupancy may be up to four (4) persons.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Dakota County has no STR insurance rule. Cities focus on safety: Mendota Heights requires working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms per Minn. Stat. 299F.362 and 299F.51 plus a fire extinguisher. Confirm insurance needs with your city and insurer.

STR Insurance and Safety Requirements Are City-Level

Some Restrictions

Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-4(A)(7)

Ensure that all short term home rental dwelling units have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarm(s) installed in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Sections 299F.362 and 299F.51... each unit shall have at least one properly maintained and charged fire extinguisher located in an easily-accessible location which is clearly marked.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Dakota County sets no minimum or maximum night rule. A short-term rental is any stay of 30 consecutive days or less. Cities may add minimums; Mendota Heights requires a two-night minimum stay.

Minimum-Stay and Night Rules Come From Your City

Some Restrictions

Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-4(A)(3)

Short term home rental reservations must have a minimum two (2) night stay.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

Dakota County does not register short-term rentals. Cities that regulate them require a license application with owner details, emergency contact, bedroom count and maximum occupancy. Mendota Heights gives existing operators 45 days to register.

STR Registration Is a City License, Not a County One

Some Restrictions

Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-3(B)(5)

Owners currently operating a short term home rental within the City shall obtain a license as provided in this Section 3-5A within 45 days from the effective date of this ordinance.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Dakota County imposes no host-presence rule. Cities that tie STRs to a primary residence effectively require an owner-operator connection. Mendota Heights defines the operator as an owner or occupant renting their own primary residence.

Host-Presence Rules Depend on Your City

Some Restrictions

Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-2 (Definitions)

OPERATOR: either an owner or an occupant renting their primary residence as a short term home rental.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Dakota County has no rule, but some cities restrict short-term rentals to owner-occupied primary residences. Mendota Heights allows STRs only in a primary residence, defined as a homesteaded home the owner lives in over six months a year.

Some Dakota County Cities Require STRs to Be Your Primary Home

Some Restrictions

Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-2 (Definitions)

PRIMARY RESIDENCE: A dwelling unit where the property owner occupant lives in the property for more than six months a year; qualifies for Homestead tax classification as defined by MN Statutes 273.124 and as determined by the Dakota County Assessor.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Dakota County ordinances

See every category we cover for Dakota County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

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