Short-Term Rental Laws in St. Paul, MN (2026)
Short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) have been legal throughout St. Paul since December 2, 2017, but every host must hold an annual Short-Term Rental Host License ($45 per dwelling unit) from the Department of Safety and Inspections, and platforms need their own license. Owner-occupancy is not required, though zoning standards cap how many units in a building may be STRs (more units allowed when the owner is in residence), and hosts must carry $300,000 liability coverage or book exclusively through a covered platform. Lodging is taxed heavily: 6.875% state sales tax plus 3% city lodging tax and 3% in combined city/county/metro local sales taxes, for roughly 12.9% total.
Reviewed by the STR Rule Watch research team against 9 official sources. How we verify data
St. Paul STR rules at a glance
| Legal status | Allowed with permit |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Host License |
| Permit fee | $45 |
| Renewal | Annual |
| Owner occupancy required | No |
| Primary residence only | No |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~12.88% of gross revenue |
| Insurance | Liability insurance of not less than $300,000 aggregate covering the short-term rental use, maintained for the duration of the license, OR conducting every rental transaction through an STR platform that provides equal or greater coverage (the city accepts renting exclusively via Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway in lieu of a separate ACORD certificate). Certificate must list the City of Saint Paul as certificate holder. |
| Enforcement | It is unlawful to advertise or operate as an STR host or platform without a valid license (Sec. 379.02). The DSI director and police chief must investigate every application and renewal (Sec. 379.04). Hosts must keep a rental registry (nights booked, rent paid) and produce compliance documentation within 5 business days of a city request (Sec. 379.07); platforms must report listing and night counts to the city quarterly by zip code (Sec. 379.06). Licenses are non-transferable and can be suspended or revoked for false statements or code violations; a platform whose license was revoked (other than for nonpayment) is barred from re-licensing for 5 years (Sec. 379.05). Since Sept 17, 2025 licensing/enforcement runs through the city's PAULIE platform. |
| Current rules effective | 2017-12-02 |
What will guests pay in taxes on a St. Paul stay?
Itemized occupancy taxes for St. Paul, MN — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.
St. Paul occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Minnesota state general sales tax (6.875%)· collection varies | $30.94 |
| St. Paul Sales Tax (local option) (1.5%)· collection varies | $6.75 |
| Ramsey County Transit Sales Tax (0.5%)· collection varies | $2.25 |
| Metro Area Sales Tax for Housing (0.25%)· collection varies | $1.13 |
| Metro Area Transportation Sales Tax (0.75%)· collection varies | $3.38 |
| St. Paul Lodging Tax (fewer than 50 rooms) (3%)· collection varies | $13.50 |
| Total tax (12.88%) | $57.94 |
| Guest pays | $507.94 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Permits & licensing
St. Paul requires Short-Term Rental Host License to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $45, renewed annual.
City Business License Fees table (last edited Jan 7, 2026) lists $45 for both 'Short Term Rental (Owner Occupied)' and 'Short Term Rental (Non Owner Occupied)'; the fee is charged per dwelling unit rented. An older DSI handout showed $40 before being revised to $45 (revision dated 9/22/2023). A separate Short-Term Rental Platform license (for Airbnb/Vrbo-type companies) costs $11,181. A 2.49% service fee applies to card payments.
Zoning & location rules
STRs are allowed citywide; there is no STR-exclusion zone. Zoning Code Sec. 65.645 sets per-lot standards: in RL-H1 districts, max one STR dwelling unit per zoning lot unless a duplex/triplex/fourplex is owner-occupied with the owner in residence during the rental. In all other districts, one unit or up to 50% of units on a lot (max 4) may be STRs, except an owner-occupied duplex/triplex/fourplex may rent 2/3/4 units respectively while the owner is in residence; more than 4 STR units in a building requires a conditional use permit. Only one rental per unit per day; no commercial/social events; no exterior STR signage in residential districts; occupancy is capped at the zoning definition of family unless a CUP is granted (such CUP properties must be 1,000+ feet apart).
Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota state general sales taxApplies to lodging under 30 days. Per MN DOR, the accommodations intermediary (platform) must register and remit for bookings it facilitates; hosts must register and remit for direct bookings. | 6.875% | varies |
| St. Paul Sales Tax (local option)0.5% since Jan 1, 2000 (STAR program) plus 1.0% effective Apr 1, 2024 (streets/parks). Administered by MN DOR; same platform-vs-host rules as state sales tax. | 1.5% | varies |
| Ramsey County Transit Sales TaxCountywide transit sales and use tax; administered by MN DOR. | 0.5% | varies |
| Metro Area Sales Tax for HousingSeven-county Twin Cities metro tax, effective Oct 1, 2023. | 0.25% | varies |
| Metro Area Transportation Sales TaxSeven-county Twin Cities metro tax, effective Oct 1, 2023. | 0.75% | varies |
| St. Paul Lodging Tax (fewer than 50 rooms)3.0% for establishments with fewer than 50 rooms available for lodging (the tier that covers typical STRs); 7.0% for 50+ rooms. Administered by MN DOR alongside sales tax. | 3% | varies |
Enforcement & penalties
It is unlawful to advertise or operate as an STR host or platform without a valid license (Sec. 379.02). The DSI director and police chief must investigate every application and renewal (Sec. 379.04). Hosts must keep a rental registry (nights booked, rent paid) and produce compliance documentation within 5 business days of a city request (Sec. 379.07); platforms must report listing and night counts to the city quarterly by zip code (Sec. 379.06). Licenses are non-transferable and can be suspended or revoked for false statements or code violations; a platform whose license was revoked (other than for nonpayment) is barred from re-licensing for 5 years (Sec. 379.05). Since Sept 17, 2025 licensing/enforcement runs through the city's PAULIE platform.
The code's STR-specific penalties section (former Sec. 379.08) was repealed by Ord 18-14 on April 11, 2018; no STR-specific fine schedule currently appears in Chapter 379. Violations are handled through adverse license action under Chapter 310 (denial, suspension, revocation) — falsification on an application results in denial, and workers' compensation misstatements carry a $2,000 state penalty. No verified city dollar-fine amounts for unlicensed STR operation.
⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
Getting legal in St. Paul: the playbook
Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.
- 1
Verify your zoning
Location rules apply: STRs are allowed citywide; there is no STR-exclusion zone. Zoning Code Sec. 65.645 sets per-lot standards: in RL-H1 districts, max one STR dwelling unit per zoning lot unless a duplex/triplex/fourplex is owner-occupied with the owner in residence during the rental. In all other districts, one unit or up to 50% of units on a lot (max 4) may be STRs, except an owner-occupied duplex/triplex/fourplex may rent 2/3/4 units respectively while the owner is in residence; more than 4 STR units in a building requires a conditional use permit. Only one rental per unit per day; no commercial/social events; no exterior STR signage in residential districts; occupancy is capped at the zoning definition of family unless a CUP is granted (such CUP properties must be 1,000+ feet apart). Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying.
- 2
Check the covenant layer
HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
- 3
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Host License
Budget $45 (annual renewal). City Business License Fees table (last edited Jan 7, 2026) lists $45 for both 'Short Term Rental (Owner Occupied)' and 'Short Term Rental (Non Owner Occupied)'; the fee is charged per dwelling unit rented. An older DSI handout showed $40 before being revised to $45 (revision dated 9/22/2023). A separate Short-Term Rental Platform license (for Airbnb/Vrbo-type companies) costs $11,181. A 2.49% service fee applies to card payments. Apply through the city — the official application page is linked in the sources below.
- 4
Line up required insurance
Liability insurance of not less than $300,000 aggregate covering the short-term rental use, maintained for the duration of the license, OR conducting every rental transaction through an STR platform that provides equal or greater coverage (the city accepts renting exclusively via Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway in lieu of a separate ACORD certificate). Certificate must list the City of Saint Paul as certificate holder.
- 5
Set up tax collection & remittance
Platforms don't collect everything here: Minnesota state general sales tax (6.875%), St. Paul Sales Tax (local option) (1.5%), Ramsey County Transit Sales Tax (0.5%), Metro Area Sales Tax for Housing (0.25%), Metro Area Transportation Sales Tax (0.75%), St. Paul Lodging Tax (fewer than 50 rooms) (3%) are remitted by the host. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.
- 6
Calendar the renewal before you forget it
This permit renews annual (budget $45 again). Most cities take weeks to process renewals and don't send reminders — our Host plan emails you at 60/30/7 days out.
- 7
Know the cost of getting it wrong
The code's STR-specific penalties section (former Sec. 379.08) was repealed by Ord 18-14 on April 11, 2018; no STR-specific fine schedule currently appears in Chapter 379. Violations are handled through adverse license action under Chapter 310 (denial, suspension, revocation) — falsification on an application results in denial, and workers' compensation misstatements carry a $2,000 state penalty. No verified city dollar-fine amounts for unlicensed STR operation. It is unlawful to advertise or operate as an STR host or platform without a valid license (Sec. 379.02). The DSI director and police chief must investigate every application and renewal (Sec. 379.04). Hosts must keep a rental registry (nights booked, rent paid) and produce compliance documentation within 5 business days of a city request (Sec. 379.07); platforms must report listing and night counts to the city quarterly by zip code (Sec. 379.06). Licenses are non-transferable and can be suspended or revoked for false statements or code violations; a platform whose license was revoked (other than for nonpayment) is barred from re-licensing for 5 years (Sec. 379.05). Since Sept 17, 2025 licensing/enforcement runs through the city's PAULIE platform.
Recent rule changes in St. Paul
September 17, 2025
PAULIE permitting/licensing platform launches
The city launched PAULIE (Permitting and Utilities, Licensing, Inspections Engine), a single online system for permits, licenses, inspections, and complaints; STR host license applications and renewals now run through it.
Official source →April 1, 2024material
St. Paul local sales tax rises to 1.5%
A new 1.0% local option sales and use tax for streets, bridges, parks, and recreational facilities took effect April 1, 2024, on top of the existing 0.5% STAR tax, bringing the city sales tax to 1.5% and the combined general sales tax rate in St. Paul to 9.875% (before the 3% lodging tax on STR stays).
Official source →October 18, 2023
Zoning amendments touch STR standards (Ord 23-43)
Ordinance 23-43 amended Zoning Code Sec. 65.645 (short term rental dwelling unit) as part of a broader zoning update (district terminology, e.g. RL-H1); the substantive STR unit caps and standards continue unchanged.
Official source →September 22, 2023
Host license fee raised from $40 to $45
The DSI Short-Term Rentals (Host) License Requirements handout revised 9/22/2023 raised the license fee to $45. The revision updated only the numeral, leaving the hybrid text 'forty dollars ($45.00)' in the handout — evidence the prior fee was $40. The city's current Business License Fees table (edited Jan 7, 2026) lists $45.
Official source →
Frequently asked questions
›Is Airbnb legal in St. Paul?
Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are legal in St. Paul, MN, but you must obtain a Short-Term Rental Host License before operating. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in St. Paul?
Yes. St. Paul requires a Short-Term Rental Host License to operate a short-term rental, which costs $45 and must be renewed every year. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›How much does a St. Paul short-term rental permit cost?
The Short-Term Rental Host License costs $45 (annual renewal). City Business License Fees table (last edited Jan 7, 2026) lists $45 for both 'Short Term Rental (Owner Occupied)' and 'Short Term Rental (Non Owner Occupied)'; the fee is charged per dwelling unit rented. An older DSI handout showed $40 before being revised to $45 (revision dated 9/22/2023). A separate Short-Term Rental Platform license (for Airbnb/Vrbo-type companies) costs $11,181. A 2.49% service fee applies to card payments.
›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in St. Paul?
Yes — St. Paul does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in St. Paul?
Hosts in St. Paul are subject to: Minnesota state general sales tax (6.875%), St. Paul Sales Tax (local option) (1.5%), Ramsey County Transit Sales Tax (0.5%), Metro Area Sales Tax for Housing (0.25%), Metro Area Transportation Sales Tax (0.75%), St. Paul Lodging Tax (fewer than 50 rooms) (3%) — roughly 12.88% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.
›Do I need insurance to run a short-term rental in St. Paul?
Liability insurance of not less than $300,000 aggregate covering the short-term rental use, maintained for the duration of the license, OR conducting every rental transaction through an STR platform that provides equal or greater coverage (the city accepts renting exclusively via Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway in lieu of a separate ACORD certificate). Certificate must list the City of Saint Paul as certificate holder. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Does Airbnb collect taxes automatically in St. Paul?
No — in St. Paul hosts are responsible for registering, collecting, and remitting the listed occupancy taxes themselves. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in St. Paul?
The code's STR-specific penalties section (former Sec. 379.08) was repealed by Ord 18-14 on April 11, 2018; no STR-specific fine schedule currently appears in Chapter 379. Violations are handled through adverse license action under Chapter 310 (denial, suspension, revocation) — falsification on an application results in denial, and workers' compensation misstatements carry a $2,000 state penalty. No verified city dollar-fine amounts for unlicensed STR operation. It is unlawful to advertise or operate as an STR host or platform without a valid license (Sec. 379.02). The DSI director and police chief must investigate every application and renewal (Sec. 379.04). Hosts must keep a rental registry (nights booked, rent paid) and produce compliance documentation within 5 business days of a city request (Sec. 379.07); platforms must report listing and night counts to the city quarterly by zip code (Sec. 379.06). Licenses are non-transferable and can be suspended or revoked for false statements or code violations; a platform whose license was revoked (other than for nonpayment) is barred from re-licensing for 5 years (Sec. 379.05). Since Sept 17, 2025 licensing/enforcement runs through the city's PAULIE platform.
›When did St. Paul's current short-term rental rules take effect?
The current ordinance took effect on December 2, 2017. See the change timeline on this page for amendments since, and the sources section for the official text.
St. Paul's STR rules changed 1 time recently.
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More resources
- How to get a short-term rental permit in St. Paul
- St. Paul short-term rental taxes explained
- Can I Airbnb in St. Paul?
- All Minnesota STR laws by city
- Occupancy tax calculator
- Compare STR permit costs across cities
- St. Paul ranks among cheapest str permit cities
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Sources
- Short Term Rentals — City of Saint Paul, Dept. of Safety & Inspectionsretrieved July 20, 2026
- Short Term Rental Host and Platform License — City of Saint Paulretrieved July 20, 2026
- Business License Fees — City of Saint Paulretrieved July 20, 2026
- Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 379 — Short Term Rentals (Municode)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Saint Paul Zoning Code Sec. 65.645 — Short term rental dwelling unit (Municode)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Minnesota Dept. of Revenue — Special Local Taxes Fact Sheet 164S (Revised May 2026)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Minnesota Dept. of Revenue — Sales: Residential Short-Term Rentalsretrieved July 20, 2026
- Sales and Use Tax — City of Saint Paul, Financial Servicesretrieved July 20, 2026
- City of Saint Paul Launches PAULIE — press release (Sept 17, 2025)retrieved July 20, 2026
This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with St. Paul and a qualified professional before operating.