Dakota County, MN Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- County host rule
- None
- Operator definition
- Owner/occupant of primary residence
- Local agent
- Accessible at all times
- Agent duty
- Order repairs/respond to issues
- On-site overnight
- Not strictly required
Summary
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.
OPERATOR: either an owner or an occupant renting their primary residence as a short term home rental.
Full Breakdown
There is no county requirement that a host live on-site. Where a city limits short-term rentals to primary residences, the operator is inherently tied to the home. Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-2 defines the operator as either an owner or an occupant renting their primary residence as a short-term rental, and requires a designated local emergency-contact agent accessible at all times who can order repairs. This is not a strict on-premises overnight requirement, but it links the rental to a resident owner or occupant. Confirm any live-in or agent requirement with your city.
Violations & Fines
Operating outside the primary-residence and local-agent conditions violates the license and may result in suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be present during the rental?
What is a local agent?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dakota County
Compare Dakota County to another location·View the Minnesota short-term rentals overview
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