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Minneapolis, MN Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Licenses issued by
Director of Regulatory Services
Unlicensed rental
Misdemeanor (Code § 1.30)
New rentals
Apply before initial occupancy
Pre-leasing exemption
Allowed before occupancy, not after

Summary

Minneapolis owners must hold a valid rental dwelling license, administrative registration, or short-term rental registration before letting any dwelling unit for occupancy or collecting rent on it.

No person shall allow any dwelling unit to be occupied, or let or offer to let to another any dwelling unit for occupancy, or charge, accept or retain rent for any dwelling unit unless the owner has a valid license, administrative registration, short term rental registration or provisional license under the terms of this article. The practice of pre-leasing new rental construction shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.

Source: Minneapolis Rental LicenseView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).

Full Breakdown

City code bars anyone from letting, offering to let, or collecting rent on a dwelling unit unless the owner holds a valid rental dwelling license, administrative registration, short-term rental registration, or provisional license. New construction may pre-lease before licensing, but occupancy still requires the license. Owners apply to the Director of Regulatory Services, who issues, renews, denies, revokes or suspends licenses per building. Renting without the required license is a misdemeanor under Section 1.30 of the Code.

Violations & Fines

Misdemeanor, punishable under Minneapolis Code § 1.30; license denial, suspension or revocation for noncompliant owners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent out a Minneapolis unit without a license?
No. Letting or accepting rent on an unlicensed dwelling unit is a misdemeanor under Minneapolis Code § 1.30, enforced through the rental dwelling licensing article.
What counts as a valid license for renting in Minneapolis?
A rental dwelling license, an administrative registration, a short-term rental registration, or a provisional license, all issued by the Director of Regulatory Services.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Minneapolis

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsRent ControlFew RestrictionsSecurity Deposit RulesSome RestrictionsJust Cause EvictionSome RestrictionsRepairs & HabitabilitySome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Bird ProtectionHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions

All Minneapolis rules

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