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Duluth, MN Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)

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

Key Facts

Annual night cap
21 nights per year
Per-stay length
2 to 7 consecutive nights
Eligible applicant
owner-occupied homestead property only
Citywide permit cap
none for the limited category
Permit term
1 year or change of ownership
Transferability
non-transferable

Summary

In the City of Duluth, an accessory vacation dwelling unit, limited, may only be rented for a combined total of 21 nights per year, with each individual stay running two to seven consecutive nights, under the Unified Development Chapter's use-specific standards for owner-occupied homesteaded properties.

P. Accessory vacation dwelling unit, limited. ... 1. Eligible Applicant. ... Property owners that reside in the owner-occupied homestead property may apply for an accessory vacation dwelling unit, limited, in their owner-occupied homesteaded property; 2. Rental Period. The minimum rental period shall not be less than two consecutive nights no more than 7 consecutive nights. The maximum total number of nights for which an accessory vacation dwelling unit, limited, may be rented may not exceed 21 nights per year. The rental period must be specified in the permit at the time that the permit was applied for, and may not be altered; ... ... 6. Termination. The permit shall terminate upon change in ownership of the property or one year from issuance date, whichever occurs first. The permit shall be non-transferable;

Full Breakdown

P creates a separate, lighter-touch short-term rental category called the accessory vacation dwelling unit, limited, available only to property owners who reside in their owner-occupied homesteaded property. O, which allows rentals of up to 29 consecutive nights and caps citywide permits at 60 (rising with new housing, capped at 120 total), the limited category has no citywide numeric cap on how many permits the city can issue. 2 sets the minimum rental period at two consecutive nights and the maximum at seven consecutive nights, and caps the total nights rented per calendar year at 21.

The rental period itself must be fixed in the permit application at the time it is filed and cannot later be altered. U for maximum visitors, off-street parking, motorhome or ATV storage, guest records, nuisance reduction, and advertising, and must separately obtain any other city and state licenses required for guest occupancy. The permit terminates automatically upon any change in property ownership or one year after issuance, whichever comes first, is non-transferable, and cannot be advertised for use outside the dwelling unit or on a lot without a principal dwelling.

Violations & Fines

Planning and Economic Development administers the accessory vacation dwelling unit, limited, permit and can decline to renew or can revoke it for exceeding the 21-night annual cap, renting outside the fixed two-to-seven-night window specified in the permit, or advertising without the required permit number, since § 50-20.5.P ties the entire use to the terms fixed in the permit application.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nights per year can a limited accessory vacation dwelling unit be rented in Duluth?
No more than 21 nights per year total, under Duluth Legislative Code § 50-20.5.P.2, with each stay running between two and seven consecutive nights as fixed in the permit application.
Who can apply for the limited accessory vacation dwelling unit permit in Duluth?
Only property owners who reside in the property as their owner-occupied homestead, per § 50-20.5.P.1; it is not available to non-resident investment owners.
Does the 21-night limited rental category have a citywide permit cap like the regular vacation dwelling unit?
No. Section 50-20.5.P.5 states there is no maximum to the number of limited permits the city may issue, unlike the 60-permit (up to 120-unit) cap on the standard accessory vacation dwelling unit under § 50-20.5.O.

Sources & Official References

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