Dakota County, MN Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- County occupancy rule
- None
- Mendota Hts max bedrooms
- Five
- Per-bedroom cap
- 2 persons (under 280 sq ft)
- Large bedroom cap
- 4 persons (over 280 sq ft)
- Listing must state
- Maximum occupancy
Summary
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.
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 Breakdown
No county rule governs how many guests a short-term rental may host in Dakota County; occupancy is a municipal matter. Mendota Heights City Code 3-5A-4(A) limits a short-term rental to a maximum of five bedrooms and caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom under 280 square feet, rising to four persons for a bedroom larger than 280 square feet. Listings must state the maximum occupancy permitted by the license. Occupancy caps vary by city, so confirm the exact figure with your municipality before advertising.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the licensed occupancy is a city code violation enforced through a notice of violation and possible license suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can my STR hold?
Must the guest count be advertised?
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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