Minnesota Statewide Rule

Minnesota Allows Local Rent Control Only by General-Election Referendum

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Minnesota (2026)

Key Facts

Local rent control: Allowed only if approved in a general election (referendum)
Statewide rent cap: None
Enabling statute: Minn. Stat. § 471.9996
Cities with rent control: St. Paul (3% cap, 2021); Minneapolis (charter amendment authorizing regulation, 2021)

Last verified: August 20, 2026Source: Minnesota Rent Control Preemption Requires Voter Approval

Summary

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 in a general election." Using that path, St. Paul voters passed a 3% cap in 2021 and Minneapolis voters authorized rent regulation the same year.

471.9996 RENT CONTROL PROHIBITED. § Subdivision 1. In general. No statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town may adopt or renew by ordinance or otherwise any law to control rents on private residential property except as provided in subdivision 2. This section does not impair the right of any statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town: (1) to manage or control property in which it has a financial interest through a housing authority or similar agency; (2) to contract with a property owner; (3) to act as required or authorized by laws or regulations of the United States government or this state; or (4) to mediate between property owners and tenants for the purpose of negotiating rents. § Subd. 2. Exception. Subdivision 1 does not preclude a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town from controlling rents on private residential property to the extent that the city, county, or town has the power to adopt an ordinance, charter amendment, or law to control these rents if the ordinance, charter amendment, or law that controls rents is approved in a general election. Subdivision 1 does not limit any power or authority of the voters of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town to petition for an ordinance or charter amendment to control rents on private residential property to the extent that the power or authority is otherwise provided for by law, and if the ordinance or charter amendment is approved in a general election.

Source: Minnesota Rent Control Preemption Requires Voter ApprovalView official code

Full Breakdown

Under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, "no statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town may adopt or renew by ordinance or otherwise any law to control rents on private residential property except as provided in subdivision 2." Subdivision 2 permits such a measure only when "the ordinance, charter amendment, or law that controls rents is approved in a general election," making a voter referendum the sole route to local rent control. Minnesota imposes no statewide percentage limit on rent increases. In November 2021, St. Paul voters approved a rent stabilization ordinance capping most annual increases at 3% (effective January 1, 2023), and Minneapolis voters approved a charter amendment authorizing the city to regulate rents.

Violations & Penalties

There is no statewide fine for raising rent. A locally enacted ordinance adopted by referendum under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996 sets its own enforcement: St. Paul's rent stabilization ordinance, for example, lets tenants challenge increases above the 3% cap, and a landlord who exceeds an approved cap may be ordered to roll back the rent and may face penalties under the local ordinance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rent control legal in Minnesota?

Mostly no, with one exception. Minn. Stat. § 471.9996 prohibits cities, counties, and towns from controlling rents on private residential property unless the rent-control measure is approved by voters in a general election. There is no statewide rent control or statewide cap on increases.

Can a city in Minnesota pass its own rent control?

Only through a referendum. Under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, a Minnesota city, county, or town may adopt rent control only if the ordinance or charter amendment is approved in a general election. St. Paul did this in 2021 with a 3% cap, and Minneapolis voters authorized rent regulation the same year.

Is there a limit on how much rent can increase in Minnesota?

There is no statewide limit on rent increases in Minnesota. A cap applies only where voters have approved local rent control under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, such as St. Paul, where most annual increases are limited to 3%. Elsewhere, increases are governed only by the lease and notice rules.

Sources

Minn. Stat. § 471.9996 (Rent Control Prohibited; Exception)

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