Annandale, Minnesota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Annandale, Minnesota?

Short-term rentals are explicitly PROHIBITED in Annandale, Minnesota.

This prohibition is absolute and unambiguous. On November 8, 2021, the City of Annandale adopted Ordinance No. 383, which amended the city's zoning ordinance to ban short-term rentals in residential districts. The ordinance makes it illegal to rent, lease, or offer for rent or lease any dwelling unit, part of a dwelling unit, lodging room, accessory apartment, or other accommodation for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days within residential zoning districts.

The only exceptions to this prohibition are state-licensed hotels, motels, lodging establishments, and similar accommodations where such uses are permitted by the City's Zoning Ordinance.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Annandale?

Annandale hosts earn a median $35,295/year with $325 ADR and 55% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,109+ per year.

See the full Annandale market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Annandale Market

It is not possible to start a traditional short-term rental business in Annandale proper. However, there are alternative approaches investors can consider:

Alternative Investment Strategies

Licensed Hospitality Business: Establish a traditional hotel or motel operation in zones where such commercial lodging is permitted
Extended Stay Rentals: Operate monthly rentals (30+ consecutive days) which are permitted under the ordinance
Neighboring Jurisdiction Investment: Consider properties in surrounding townships or cities with different regulations
Long-term Rental Conversion: Purchase properties for traditional annual lease arrangements

Market Analysis Approach

If seeking STR exposure in this market, investors should:

Research Corinna Township regulations (adjacent to Annandale)
Investigate Wright County regulations outside city limits
Consider property in cities like Maple Lake or Buffalo that may have different ordinances
Analyze the viability of extended-stay accommodations as an alternative revenue model

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

For Annandale proper, no STR permits or licenses are available due to the prohibition. However, understanding compliance requirements for alternative uses is crucial:

Traditional Hospitality Business Requirements

Minnesota state lodging license
City business license
Zoning compliance verification
Fire safety inspections
Health department permits
Building permits for any renovations

Extended Stay Rental Requirements

Standard rental property compliance
Minnesota landlord-tenant law adherence
Property maintenance standards
Local zoning compliance for residential uses

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of Annandale (Prohibition)

Key Provisions from Ordinance No. 383:

Prohibition Scope: All residential zoning districts
Rental Period: Any stay less than 30 consecutive days prohibited
Property Types Affected: Dwelling units, parts of units, lodging rooms, accessory apartments
Commercial Justification: City determined STRs "constitute commercial use of residential property, conflict with the residential character of residential zoning districts, disrupt the residential character of neighborhoods, and have a negative impact on the livability of residential neighborhoods"
Effective Date: November 8, 2021
Enforcement: Zoning ordinance violations subject to municipal enforcement

Wright County Level

The provided content does not specify Wright County STR regulations. County regulations may differ from city prohibitions.

State of Minnesota Level

Minnesota state regulations vary by jurisdiction, but generally include:

Taxation: State sales tax plus local lodging taxes
Safety Standards: Compliance with state health and safety codes
Licensing: For traditional hospitality businesses
Consumer Protection: State landlord-tenant laws for longer-term rentals

Adjacent Jurisdiction: Corinna Township

Corinna Township (adjacent to Annandale) has implemented regulations allowing short-term vacation rentals:

Adopted Ordinance 2020-01 with specific STR provisions
Added Section 781 (Private/Vacation Home Rental) to their land use ordinance
Allows STRs under regulatory framework with permit requirements
Ordinance available at Corinna Town Hall and online at hometownplanning.com

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Annandale

Primary Contact:

City Administrator/Clerk: Kelly Hinnenkamp
Address: City of Annandale, MN
Phone: Contact through city hall
Website: www.annandale.mn.us

For STR-Specific Inquiries:

Contact city administration directly regarding the prohibition
Zoning questions can be directed to city planning department

Corinna Township (Alternative Jurisdiction)

Township Contact:

Address: 9801 Ireland Avenue NW, Annandale, MN 55302
Phone: (320) 274-8049
Fax: (320) 274-3792
Email: corinna@corinnatownship.com
Website: www.corinnatownship.com

Planning/Board of Adjustment Contact:

Contact through township office for STR regulations
Meeting schedules and applications available through Hometown Planning

Wright County

Planning & Zoning Department:

Website: www.co.wright.mn.us/department/pandz/
Contact county planners for county-level regulations

Source Links

Primary Legal Documents

Supporting Resources

Investment Implications and Recommendations

Given Annandale's prohibition on short-term rentals, serious investors should:

Respect the Prohibition: Do not attempt to circumvent the city ordinance
Explore Alternatives: Consider extended-stay models, traditional hospitality, or neighboring jurisdictions
Due Diligence: Always verify current regulations before any property purchase
Professional Consultation: Engage local real estate and legal professionals familiar with Wright County markets

The city's clear stance reflects a deliberate policy decision to preserve residential character, making any STR investment within Annandale city limits legally impossible under current regulations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Annandale

Annandale is a small city of roughly 3,200 residents in Wright County, Minnesota, situated in the heart of the state's central lake country. With a relaxed, outdoorsy character and a tidy downtown of local shops and eateries, it serves as a year-round gateway to the lakes, forests, and rivers that define this stretch of central Minnesota. The community lies approximately 50 miles northwest of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, making it an accessible escape from the Twin Cities metro while still feeling comfortably removed from it.

The city is wrapped by a cluster of clear recreational lakes — including Pleasant Lake and the connected chain of waters around town — which draw visitors for swimming, fishing, boating, and winter activities. Public launches, small lakeside parks, and shoreline access points dot the area, and the water gives the town its distinctly seasonal rhythm of summer lake traffic and snowmobilers in the colder months. Cabins and small resorts have long been part of the local landscape, lending the area a classic Minnesota up-north feel without the long drive.

Just south of Annandale, Lake Maria State Park preserves more than 1,600 acres of rolling hardwood forest, with miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, a quiet campground, and one of the more untroubled backcountry settings in the greater metro region. The park sits within Wright County and is roughly a 20- to 25-minute drive from downtown Annandale, making it a popular day trip for visitors who want to trade a lakeside morning for a long walk in the woods.

The broader region is threaded by the Mississippi River, whose upper stretches pass within easy reach of the city and offer scenic drives, fishing spots, and small riverside communities to explore. To the northeast, the larger city of St. Cloud — about 35 miles away — provides a wider range of dining, shopping, and services, while Buffalo, the Wright County seat, lies just a short drive south and offers additional amenities, parks, and the county's historic courthouse square.

For short-term rental investors, Annandale combines small-town charm with established lake tourism and proximity to a major metro area. Its cabin-country identity, year-round outdoor recreation, and an easy drive from the Twin Cities give it the kind of broad seasonal appeal that tends to support steady visitor demand.