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Minnesota Ordinances (2026)

Browse local rules across Minnesota counties and cities. Pick a county or topic below to see the rules that apply.

Minnesota has 8 cities and 5 counties in our database. Local ordinances in Minnesota operate alongside state law, and cities often set their own rules for noise, parking, fencing, short-term rentals, and other topics that directly affect residents.

Minnesota Statewide Rules(67 rules)

These rules apply uniformly across Minnesota. State law preempts local regulation on these topics, so cities and counties must follow these statewide standards.

Severity: Permissive (allowed) · Moderate (some limits) · Strict (prohibited or heavily restricted)

Animal Hoarding

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota Statute 343.21 establishes statewide animal cruelty offenses including overworking, depriving food or water, and torture. Hoarding cases are prosecuted as cruelty and apply to every owner regardless…

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Exotic Pets

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota Statute 346.155 prohibits private possession of regulated animals including big cats, bears, and non-human primates. The law preempts conflicting local rules and applies uniformly statewide, with…

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Wildlife Feeding

Some Restrictions

Minnesota Statute 97B.106 restricts deer feeding statewide in counties affected by chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis. DNR rules supplement the law and apply uniformly across municipal boundaries…

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Setback Rules

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota's Shoreland Management Act establishes statewide minimum structure setbacks from public waters. Local governments must adopt ordinances at least as restrictive as state standards in Minn. Rules…

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Dispensary Zoning

Some Restrictions

Minnesota Statutes section 342.13 limits how cities and counties may regulate cannabis businesses. Local governments cannot prohibit licensed cannabis retailers but may impose reasonable zoning, buffer, and…

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Home Cultivation

Few Restrictions

Minnesota Statutes section 342.09 allows adults 21 and older to cultivate up to eight cannabis plants per residence, with no more than four mature, statewide. Cities cannot prohibit personal home cultivation…

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Commercial Drones

Heavy Restrictions

Commercial drone operators in Minnesota must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their aircraft with both the FAA and the Minnesota DOT Office of Aeronautics under Minn. Stat. 360.55…

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Recreational Drones

Some Restrictions

Minnesota Statutes Chapter 360 classifies unmanned aircraft as aircraft subject to FAA regulation and state aeronautics rules. The Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics governs registration and…

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Minimum Wage Preemption

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota's Fair Labor Standards Act in Minn. Stat. chapter 177 sets the state minimum wage but does not preempt local wage ordinances, allowing Minneapolis and Saint Paul to enforce higher local minimums.

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Paid Leave Preemption

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time law in Minn. Stat. 181.9445 to 181.9448 provides statewide accrual rights, while a separate state Paid Leave program under chapter 268B begins benefit payments in 2026.

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Worker Scheduling Preemption

Some Restrictions

Minnesota does not preempt local scheduling laws, allowing cities like Minneapolis to enforce predictive scheduling and wage theft ordinances on top of state wage standards in chapter 177.

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Erosion Control

Heavy Restrictions

MPCA's NPDES Construction Stormwater General Permit, authorized under Minn. Stat. Ch. 115, applies statewide to land-disturbing activities of one acre or more, requiring SWPPPs, BMPs, and inspection regardless…

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Flood Zones

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota Statutes sections 103F.101 to 103F.155 require all communities with mapped flood hazard areas to adopt DNR-approved floodplain ordinances meeting state and FEMA NFIP minimums, governing development…

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Stormwater Management

Heavy Restrictions

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency administers the federal NPDES MS4 general permit under Minn. Stat. Ch. 115. Regulated cities and counties must adopt construction, post-construction, and illicit…

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Pool Barriers

Heavy Restrictions

The Minnesota State Building Code sets uniform residential pool barrier rules statewide through the Minnesota Residential Code. Local governments cannot adopt weaker standards, ensuring consistent fencing…

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Fireworks

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota state law permits only non-aerial, non-explosive consumer fireworks like sparklers, cones, and fountains. Aerial fireworks, firecrackers, bottle rockets, and Roman candles are illegal statewide…

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Outdoor Burning

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota law requires a DNR-issued burning permit for most outdoor open burning when ground is not snow-covered. Burning prohibited materials like garbage, plastics, and treated wood is illegal statewide…

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Propane Storage

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota adopts NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code through the State Fire Code under Minn. Stat. 299F.011. Propane container placement, separation distances, and storage rules apply uniformly statewide and…

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Wildfire Zones

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota DNR designates statewide and regional wildfire restriction zones during elevated fire danger, suspending all burning permits. Restrictions apply uniformly within designated zones regardless of city…

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Concealed Carry

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota issues permits to carry pistols under the Minnesota Citizens' Personal Protection Act, codified at Minn. Stat. 624.714, with sheriffs administering shall-issue permitting for qualified applicants.

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Local Firearms Preemption

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota statute 471.633 broadly preempts local firearms regulation, reserving authority over the lawful sale, transfer, possession, carrying, transportation, storage, and use of firearms to the state…

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Open Carry

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota law treats open carry of a pistol the same as concealed carry, requiring a permit under Minn. Stat. 624.714, while long-gun open carry is generally lawful absent local discharge or trespass issues.

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Firearms in Vehicles

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota requires a permit to carry a pistol on or about the person or in a vehicle under Minn. Stat. 624.714, with state preemption barring stricter local rules under Minn. Stat. 471.633.

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Food Truck Permits

Some Restrictions

Minnesota Statute 157.16 requires every mobile food unit to be licensed by the Department of Health or Department of Agriculture. The state license is portable across cities, though local permits for parking…

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Assessment & Dues

Heavy Restrictions

Under the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (Minn. Stat. Ch. 515B), an association gets an automatic lien for unpaid assessments. Section 515B.3-116 gives it a six-month super-priority over a first…

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Board Procedures

Some Restrictions

The Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act requires open board meetings (Minn. Stat. § 515B.3-103), annual meetings with director elections (§ 515B.3-108), and gives owners broad access to association records…

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CC&R Enforcement

Some Restrictions

Minnesota associations enforce the declaration, bylaws, and rules under the Common Interest Ownership Act. Minn. Stat. § 515B.3-102 lets the board adopt rules and regulations and enforce covenants and…

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HOA Fines & Enforcement

Some Restrictions

Under the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act, an association may levy fines only after due process. Minn. Stat. § 515B.3-102(a)(11) lets it, "after notice and an opportunity to be heard," levy reasonable…

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HOA vs. City Rules

Few Restrictions

Minnesota law overrides HOA covenants in two areas. Minn. Stat. § 500.216 bars associations from prohibiting roof-mounted solar on qualifying single-family homes, and Minn. Stat. § 500.215 makes any HOA…

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Cottage Food Operations

Some Restrictions

Minnesota Statutes section 28A.152 establishes the statewide cottage food exemption, allowing home producers to sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods directly to consumers after registering with the…

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Home Daycare

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota Statutes sections 245A.14 and 462.357 require cities to treat licensed family child care homes as a permitted residential use, preempting restrictive zoning. DHS licenses providers statewide under…

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E-Verify Mandates

Few Restrictions

Minnesota does not require private employers to use E-Verify, and the state has not enacted a general E-Verify mandate, leaving federal I-9 verification as the universal standard for hiring.

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Sanctuary Policy Preemption

Few Restrictions

Minnesota has no enacted statewide law limiting local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. The proposed North Star Act has been introduced repeatedly but not passed. Some cities and counties…

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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Some Restrictions

Minnesota requires commercial tree care companies to register annually with the Department of Agriculture and authorizes statewide quarantines on movement of regulated wood, including emerald ash borer…

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Weed Ordinances

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota's Noxious Weed Law requires every landowner, occupant, or maintainer of public land to control state-listed noxious weeds at the time and manner ordered by a county inspector, regardless of city…

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Aircraft Noise

Some Restrictions

Aircraft noise in Minnesota is governed primarily by federal aviation rules, with state oversight through the Metropolitan Airports Commission and MnDOT airport zoning standards. Local noise ordinances cannot…

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Industrial Noise

Some Restrictions

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency sets statewide numerical noise limits for stationary sources under Minn. Rules Chapter 7030. Limits vary by Noise Area Classification and time of day, applying uniformly…

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Abandoned Vehicles

Some Restrictions

Minnesota Statutes Chapter 168B governs abandoned vehicle definitions, impoundment, notice requirements, and disposal statewide. Local units of government must follow the procedural framework for towing…

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EV Charging

Some Restrictions

Installing an EV charging station in Minnesota requires compliance with the State Electrical Code and, for hardwired 240V equipment, an electrical permit and licensed electrician. Minnesota has not enacted a…

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Eviction Notice & Process

Some Restrictions

Since a 2023 amendment, Minn. Stat. Sec. 504B.321, subd. 1a requires a landlord to give a tenant 14 days' written notice before filing an eviction for nonpayment of rent. The notice must itemize the amount due…

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Repairs & Habitability

Heavy Restrictions

Minn. Stat. Sec. 504B.161 imposes non-waivable covenants that the premises are fit for the intended use, kept in reasonable repair, and in compliance with health and safety laws, plus minimum 68-degree heat…

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Landlord Entry & Notice

Some Restrictions

Under Minn. Stat. Sec. 504B.211 a landlord must give reasonable notice of not less than 24 hours before entering a tenant's unit and may enter only for a reasonable business purpose. Entry is generally limited…

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Late Fees & Grace Periods

Some Restrictions

Minn. Stat. Sec. 504B.177 caps late fees on residential rent at 8% of the overdue rent payment and allows a late fee only if landlord and tenant agreed to it in writing. The statute says a late fee may never…

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Lease Termination & Notice to Vacate

Some Restrictions

Under Minn. Stat. Sec. 504B.135, either party may end a tenancy at will with written notice at least as long as the rent interval or three months, whichever is less. For monthly rent that means one month's…

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Rent Control

Some Restrictions

Minnesota has no statewide rent cap and generally bars local rent control under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, but it carves out one exception: a city, county, or town may control rents if the ordinance "is approved…

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Rent Increase Notice

Few Restrictions

Minnesota has no rent control statute and no dollar cap on rent increases. A rent change on a month-to-month tenancy takes effect at a new term, so notice follows the termination rule in Sec. 504B.135. A 2023…

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Security Deposit Rules

Some Restrictions

Minnesota sets no statutory cap on residential security deposits under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178. The landlord must return the deposit, plus 1% simple interest, within three weeks after the tenancy ends and after…

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Squatter's Rights & Adverse Possession

Heavy Restrictions

Minn. Stat. Sec. 541.02 sets a 15-year limitations period to recover real estate, the basis for adverse possession. For platted, taxed land the claimant must also have paid the property taxes for at least five…

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Agricultural Zoning Protection

Some Restrictions

Minnesota agricultural zoning combines local authority under chapter 394 county planning with state feedlot rules in Minn. Stat. 116.07, while Right to Farm protections in 561.19 limit nuisance challenges.

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Farm Nuisance Protection

Some Restrictions

Minnesota's Right to Farm law in Minn. Stat. 561.19 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when they have operated for at least two years and comply with applicable laws.

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Taxes & Fees

Some Restrictions

Minnesota state law imposes 6.875% sales tax plus applicable local lodging taxes on all short-term rentals under 30 days, including Airbnb and Vrbo bookings. Marketplace providers must collect and remit on…

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Political Signs

Few Restrictions

Minnesota Statute 211B.045 preempts municipal regulation of noncommercial signs during a defined election window. From 46 days before the state primary through 10 days after the general election, signs of any…

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Plastic Bag Rules

Few Restrictions

Minnesota previously preempted local plastic bag bans under Minn. Stat. 325E.045, but the legislature repealed that preemption in 2023, allowing cities like Minneapolis to enforce bag fees and bans.

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Polystyrene Foam Rules

Few Restrictions

Minnesota does not impose a statewide polystyrene ban, but with auxiliary container preemption repealed, cities like Minneapolis and Saint Paul restrict expanded polystyrene foam food packaging.

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Plastic Straw Rules

Few Restrictions

Minnesota has no statewide plastic straw ban, but with the 2023 repeal of Minn. Stat. 325E.045 preemption, cities may impose upon-request rules and switch to compostable alternatives.

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HOA Restrictions

Few Restrictions

Minn. Stat. 500.216 bars homeowners associations and other private entities from prohibiting a roof-mounted solar energy system on a qualifying single-family home. Effective July 1, 2023, it applies statewide…

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Panel Permits

Few Restrictions

Minnesota protects solar access: Minn. Stat. 462.357 subd. 1 lets cities regulate access to direct sunlight, 500.216 bars HOA prohibitions on roof-mounted solar, and 500.30 authorizes solar easements. Local…

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Fencing Requirements

Some Restrictions

The Minnesota State Building Code requires a 48-inch barrier around residential pools. The standard, set in the Minnesota Residential Code, applies statewide and supersedes any conflicting local fencing rules…

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Hot Tub Rules

Some Restrictions

Minnesota Rule 4717 regulates public spas and hot tubs identically to pools, requiring MDH licensure, water testing, and anti-entrapment drains. Residential spas follow ISPSC barrier and electrical rules under…

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Pool Permits

Some Restrictions

The Minnesota State Building Code requires construction permits for residential and public pools statewide. Local jurisdictions enforce the code but cannot adopt less restrictive standards under Minn. Stat…

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Safety Rules

Heavy Restrictions

Minnesota Department of Health rules under Minn. R. Chapter 4717 govern public pool operation including water quality, lifeguarding, and safety equipment. The rules apply uniformly to all licensed public pools…

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Tobacco Age Restrictions

Some Restrictions

Minnesota raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco and electronic delivery devices to 21 in 2020 through changes tied to Minn. Stat. 461.12 and 609.685, aligning with federal Tobacco 21 requirements.

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Flavored Tobacco Bans

Some Restrictions

Minnesota does not impose a statewide flavored tobacco ban, but Minn. Stat. 461.12 authorizes cities and counties to adopt stricter local rules including restrictions on menthol and flavored vape sales.

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Vape Retail Rules

Some Restrictions

Minnesota requires a license to sell electronic delivery devices and tobacco products, with cities and counties issuing local licenses under Minn. Stat. 461.12 alongside state regulation of vape product…

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Bulk Item Disposal

Some Restrictions

Minnesota state law bans appliances, electronics, tires, lead-acid batteries, and mercury-containing devices from solid waste disposal. These items must be recycled through approved channels regardless of…

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Recycling Requirements

Some Restrictions

Minnesota law requires commercial buildings in the seven-county metro and large cities to provide recycling, and bans certain materials from landfills statewide. Counties must implement recycling programs…

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Heritage & Protected Trees

Few Restrictions

Minnesota's Heritage Tree Program under DNR forestry recognizes notable trees but does not impose statewide removal restrictions on private property. State law primarily governs shade tree disease management…

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Counties in Minnesota

5 counties with verified ordinance data. Select a county to view its rules.

Cities in Minnesota

Unincorporated Communities in Minnesota

County ordinances apply to these unincorporated areas.