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 RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Setback Rules
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota'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…
Read full rule →Dispensary Zoning
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Home Cultivation
Few RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Commercial Drones
Heavy RestrictionsCommercial 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…
Read full rule →Recreational Drones
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Minimum Wage Preemption
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota'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.
Read full rule →Paid Leave Preemption
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota'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.
Read full rule →Worker Scheduling Preemption
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →Erosion Control
Heavy RestrictionsMPCA'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…
Read full rule →Flood Zones
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Stormwater Management
Heavy RestrictionsThe 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…
Read full rule →Pool Barriers
Heavy RestrictionsThe 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…
Read full rule →Fireworks
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Outdoor Burning
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Propane Storage
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Wildfire Zones
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Concealed Carry
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →Local Firearms Preemption
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Open Carry
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →Firearms in Vehicles
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →Food Truck Permits
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Assessment & Dues
Heavy RestrictionsUnder 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…
Read full rule →Board Procedures
Some RestrictionsThe 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…
Read full rule →CC&R Enforcement
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →HOA Fines & Enforcement
Some RestrictionsUnder 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…
Read full rule →HOA vs. City Rules
Few RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Cottage Food Operations
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Home Daycare
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →E-Verify Mandates
Few RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →Sanctuary Policy Preemption
Few RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Weed Ordinances
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota'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…
Read full rule →Aircraft Noise
Some RestrictionsAircraft 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…
Read full rule →Industrial Noise
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Abandoned Vehicles
Some RestrictionsMinnesota Statutes Chapter 168B governs abandoned vehicle definitions, impoundment, notice requirements, and disposal statewide. Local units of government must follow the procedural framework for towing…
Read full rule →EV Charging
Some RestrictionsInstalling 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…
Read full rule →Eviction Notice & Process
Some RestrictionsSince 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…
Read full rule →Repairs & Habitability
Heavy RestrictionsMinn. 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…
Read full rule →Landlord Entry & Notice
Some RestrictionsUnder 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…
Read full rule →Late Fees & Grace Periods
Some RestrictionsMinn. 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…
Read full rule →Lease Termination & Notice to Vacate
Some RestrictionsUnder 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…
Read full rule →Rent Control
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Rent Increase Notice
Few RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Security Deposit Rules
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Squatter's Rights & Adverse Possession
Heavy RestrictionsMinn. 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…
Read full rule →Agricultural Zoning Protection
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →Farm Nuisance Protection
Some RestrictionsMinnesota'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.
Read full rule →Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Political Signs
Few RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Plastic Bag Rules
Few RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →Polystyrene Foam Rules
Few RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →Plastic Straw Rules
Few RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →HOA Restrictions
Few RestrictionsMinn. 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…
Read full rule →Panel Permits
Few RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Fencing Requirements
Some RestrictionsThe 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…
Read full rule →Hot Tub Rules
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Pool Permits
Some RestrictionsThe 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…
Read full rule →Safety Rules
Heavy RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Tobacco Age Restrictions
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →Flavored Tobacco Bans
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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.
Read full rule →Vape Retail Rules
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Bulk Item Disposal
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsMinnesota 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…
Read full rule →Heritage & Protected Trees
Few RestrictionsMinnesota'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…
Read full rule →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.