Saint Paul, MN Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in Saint Paul, MN, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- Cap
- 3% per 12-month period
- Authority
- Legislative Code § 193A.04
- Effective date
- January 1, 2023
- New-construction exemption
- Units occupied after Dec. 31, 2004
- Appeal window
- 45 days to legislative hearing officer
Summary
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.
No landlord shall demand, charge, or accept from a tenant a rent increase within a 12-month period that is in excess of three (3) percent of the existing monthly rent for any residential rental property except as otherwise allowed under sections 193A.06 or 193A.08. Any rent increase over three (3) percent made pursuant to section 193A.06 of the Code shall not take effect until a final determination is issued.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 133 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
08. 05, which allows up to 8% plus CPI after a qualifying tenant turnover. RROI applications go through DSI, which notifies affected tenants of its determination, and either side can appeal to the legislative hearing officer within 45 days. No increase above 3% takes effect until a final determination is issued. 08 exempts residential rental property first issued a certificate of occupancy after December 31, 2004, government-subsidized affordable housing, and units reimbursed under the Housing Support Act (Minn. ch. 256I); exempt landlords must tell prospective tenants in writing that the unit isn't covered before finalizing a lease.
Violations & Fines
Section 193A.09 makes non-compliance grounds for criminal prosecution and/or administrative fines under Code § 1.05. A tenant harmed by a landlord's violation can sue for equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, and any lease clause that tries to waive the ordinance's protections is void and unenforceable regardless of what the lease says.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 3% cap apply to all rentals in Saint Paul?
Can a landlord ever raise rent more than 3%?
What happens if a landlord violates the cap?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saint Paul
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