Saint Paul restricts most whole-home short-term rentals to the operator's primary residence, with limited exceptions for licensed investor-operated units, helping protect long-term housing stock under the city's rent-stabilization framework.
Under Saint Paul's STR licensing scheme, the standard pathway requires the dwelling to be the operator's homesteaded primary residence. Non-primary investor STRs are allowed only with elevated review, conditional-use approvals in some zoning districts, and stricter inspection. The city pairs this with Ramsey County homestead records to verify status. The rule supports the goals of Chapter 193A rent stabilization by discouraging conversion of long-term rental stock into transient lodging. Hosting platforms must collect and remit lodging taxes regardless of operator type.
Listing a non-primary residence as a primary-residence STR risks license denial, civil fines, and removal from hosting platforms upon city request.
Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul requires an annual STR Host License ($42) under Chapter 379. Non-owner-occupied properties need a Fire Certificate of Occupancy. Operating unlicen...
Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul voters approved a rent stabilization ordinance in November 2021, making it one of few U.S. cities with rent control outside of California and New ...
See how Saint Paul's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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