Downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Overview

Allowed: Yes. Effective December 2, 2017, short-term rentals are allowed throughout the City of Saint Paul, including downtown Saint Paul (Ward 2).
Business model: An STR consists of a dwelling, or portion of a dwelling unit, rented for fewer than thirty days. STRs may not be used for commercial or social events (including but not limited to parties, weddings, etc.).
Licensing: Both hosts and platforms are required to obtain a City of Saint Paul Short-Term Rental license and renew annually. Listings may not be advertised unless the host and platform are compliant with all city, state, and federal laws.
Zoning limits: The number of STR dwelling units per building is capped, typically at four STR units (with allowances/conditional use for larger numbers; see table below). Hotels are defined by specific criteria (staffed front desk, exterior signage, daily housekeeping) and are not considered STRs under the ordinance.
Enforcement: The city’s enforcement is primarily complaint-based. As of June 2024, Airbnb listings significantly outnumbered licensed STRs, indicating ongoing compliance gaps and enforcement challenges.

Sources:

City STR program page and ordinance references (Saint Paul Safety & Inspections).
STR enforcement article (MyVillager, 2024).
Municode (Saint Paul Code of Ordinances).

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Downtown Saint Paul?

Downtown Saint Paul hosts earn a median $31,065/year with $152 ADR and 68% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $44,879+ per year.

See the full Downtown Saint Paul market breakdown

How to Start an STR in This Market

Pre-screening
- Confirm zoning and unit cap: Review zoning and STR unit caps for your building type and configuration; verify owner-occupancy status affects unit allowances and fire Certificate of Occupancy requirements.
- Pro Forma: Model revenue using conservative assumptions, factoring in Saint Paul’s seasonality (summer peak; winter softness except around the Winter Carnival).
Licensing and safety setup
- License application (host and platform): Apply for a City Short-Term Rental Host License and, if listing on platforms, a Short-Term Rental Platform License. Renew annually.
- Insurance: Secure proof of insurance at application.
- Fire Certificate of Occupancy (Fire C of O): Non-owner-occupied STR units must obtain and maintain an active Fire C of O. Owner-occupied single-family STRs do not require a Fire C of O. Larger or non-owner-occupied properties should be prepared to submit documentation of an active Fire C of O.
Listing and compliance
- Advertising: Only list units with valid licenses; include license number in listings where required by the platform/city.
- Taxes: Comply with Minnesota lodging sales and use tax (state rate 6.875%). Depending on local taxes, additional rates may apply (see Minnesota Department of Revenue guidance). If managing through platforms, confirm collection/remittance mechanics.
- Ongoing compliance: Maintain license renewal, respond to complaints, ensure occupancy caps, and monitor platform and ordinance updates.
Operations
- Guest screening: Enforce rules that prohibit parties and commercial/social events.
- Local partnerships: Consider professional property management (e.g., Summer’s network) for pricing, guest communications, maintenance, and compliance.
- Documentation: Maintain copies of licenses, insurance, Fire C of O, tax filings, and compliance logs.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Saint Paul requirements (all STRs citywide, including downtown):

Short-Term Rental Host License
- Application and fee.
- Proof of insurance.
- For non-owner-occupied units: documentation of an active Fire Certificate of Occupancy.
Short-Term Rental Platform License (if listing on platforms)
Fire Certificate of Occupancy (Fire C of O)
- Required for all non-owner-occupied STR units.
- Owner-occupied single-family STRs are exempt from the Fire C of O requirement.
Advertising compliance
- Listings must be compliant with city, state, and federal law; platform listings must include license number and remove unlicensed listings as required.
Zoning/occupancy limits
- STR unit caps vary by building type and owner-occupancy; see table below.
Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
- Required to exceed four STR units in a single building or to exceed zoning occupancy limits for large one- and two-family dwellings on large lots.
State-level lodging tax compliance
- Hotels and Other Lodging Establishments Industry Guide (Minnesota Department of Revenue).
Accessibility and safety
- Adhere to occupancy limits, safety protocols, and general property standards.

Specific Regulations: City/County/State

City of Saint Paul (applies to downtown Saint Paul)
- Licensing: Mandatory for hosts and platforms; annual renewals.
- Use restrictions: STRs cannot be used for commercial or social events.
- Advertising: Listings must be compliant; platforms must include license numbers and remove unlicensed listings.
- Zoning caps: Maximum STR units per building and conditional allowances as detailed in the table below.
- Hotel definition: To avoid STR treatment, an establishment must have a staffed front desk, exterior signage, and daily housekeeping.
Ramsey County
- County lodging tax may apply (0.5% local option). Always confirm current rates and applicability with the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
State of Minnesota
- Lodging sales and use tax (state rate 6.875%); lodging tax rules governed by the Department of Revenue’s industry guidance.

STR Dwelling Unit Limits and Requirements (City of Saint Paul)

Single Family (Owner Occupied): 1 STR unit allowed; no Fire C of O required.
Single Family (Non-Owner Occupied): 1 STR unit allowed; Fire C of O required.
Duplex (Either Unit Owner Occupied): 2 STR units allowed; one license per STR unit; no Fire C of O.
Duplex (No Unit Owner Occupied): 1 STR unit allowed; one license per STR unit; Fire C of O required.
Triplex (Any Unit Owner Occupied): 3 STR units allowed; one license per STR unit; Fire C of O for non-owner units.
Triplex (No Unit Owner Occupied): 1 STR unit allowed; one license per STR unit; Fire C of O for non-owner units.
Four-Plex (Any Unit Owner Occupied): 4 STR units allowed; one license per STR unit; Fire C of O for non-owner units.
Four-Plex (No Unit Owner Occupied): 1 STR unit in RL-RT1 Zoning Districts; 2 STR units in all other zoning districts; one license per STR unit; Fire C of O for non-owner units.
Building with more than Four Units: 50% of dwelling units, up to 4; one license per STR unit; Fire C of O for non-owner units. CUP required to exceed 4 units.

Important notes:

The number of STR units may exceed 4 if the building owner obtains a conditional use permit for a larger number.
Zoning occupancy limits may be exceeded via CUP on a case-by-case basis for large one- and two-family dwellings on large lots.

Contact Information

City of Saint Paul – Department of Safety & Inspections (DSI)
- General Information: 651-266-8989
- Email (non-emergency): dsi-informationandcomplaints@ci.stpaul.mn.us
- Address: 15 Kellogg Blvd. West, Saint Paul, MN 55102
- For incident reporting/complaints, use the city’s “Contact the City” or “Report an Incident” portal (see link below).

Important Compliance Note

Enforcement is primarily complaint-based. A backlog of delinquent licenses exists due to staffing turnover and software transitions. Operating with a delinquent or missing license is illegal; property owners remain responsible for compliance regardless of licensing status.

Links to Source Pages

City of Saint Paul – Short-Term Rentals: www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/open-operate-expand-business/business-licenses-and-permits/short-term-rentals
Short-Term Rental Basics (PDF): www.stpaul.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/Short-Term%20Rental%20Basics.pdf
STR Licensing Ordinance (PDF): www.stpaul.gov/sites/default/files/Media%20Root/Safety%20%26%20Inspections/DSI.STR%20-%20Licensing%20Ordinance%20Final.pdf
STR Zoning Ordinance (PDF): www.stpaul.gov/sites/default/files/Media%20Root/Safety%20%26%20Inspections/DSI.Licensing.Short_Term_Rental_Zoning_Ordinance.pdf
Occupancy Limits (PDF): www.stpaul.gov/sites/default/files/2021-06/Occupancy%20Limits_revised_6-9-21.pdf
STR Zoning Unit Limits (PDF): www.stpaul.gov/sites/default/files/Media%20Root/Safety%20%26%20Inspections/DSI.Licensing.Short_Term_Rental_Zoning.pdf
Fire Inspections / Certificate of Occupancy: www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/fire-inspections
Short-Term Rental Host License: www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/licenses/short-term-rental-host
Short-Term Rental Platform License: www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/licenses/short-term-rental-platforms
Report an Incident/Complaint: www.stpaul.gov/report-incident
MN Department of Revenue – Hotels and Other Lodging Establishments Industry Guide: www.revenue.state.mn.us/guide/hotels-and-other-lodging-establishments-industry-guide
Saint Paul Code of Ordinances (Municode): library.municode.com/mn/st._paul/codes/code_of_ordinances
News Article: “St. Paul’s regulation of Airbnbs is falling short of expectations” (MyVillager): www.myvillager.com/news/general_news/st-paul-s-regulation-of-airbnbs-is-falling-short-of-expectations/article_2ac499f2-6fb0-11ef-a9f9-03fd8932f4c4.html

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Ask the AI Advisor about Downtown Saint Paul

Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County, situated on the east bank of the Mississippi River. With a population of approximately 310,000, it forms the eastern half of the Twin Cities metropolitan area alongside Minneapolis, which lies just across the river. The city carries a quieter, more historic character than its western neighbor, with leafy residential streets, nineteenth-century architecture, and a compact downtown anchored by government buildings and cultural venues. It is best known as the seat of Minnesota state government and as a gateway to the lakes, forests, and river valleys of the upper Midwest, including the headwaters region of the Mississippi just a few hours to the north. Minneapolis is approximately ten miles to the west, a drive of about twenty minutes in light traffic.

A natural starting point for visitors is the Minnesota State Capitol, a commanding marble-and-granite domed building completed in 1905 and designed by architect Cass Gilbert. Set on a hill overlooking the city, the Capitol anchors a greenway of lawns and memorials and offers free guided tours of its rotunda, legislative chambers, and Gilbert's intricate ornamentation. It sits within a few blocks of downtown Saint Paul, easily reached on foot from the central business district. The Minnesota State Capitol remains one of the most photographed landmarks in the state and a frequent stop for political and history-minded travelers.

Families and casual visitors gravitate to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, a free, year-round attraction about four miles northwest of downtown. The campus combines a small but well-curated zoo with a tropical conservatory, a fern room, a Japanese garden, and the adjacent Como Lake, where visitors can rent paddleboats in warmer months. It functions as a low-key alternative to larger zoological parks and is among the most visited destinations in Saint Paul. The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is a favorite for travelers with children and a popular gathering spot for joggers, picnickers, and neighborhood strollers.

A short drive south of downtown, where the Minnesota River meets the Mississippi, lies Fort Snelling State Park. The park preserves the nineteenth-century military outpost from which the surrounding region was once administered, along with river bluffs, paved bike trails, and cold-water streams popular with trout anglers. The adjacent historic fort is now operated as a separate living-history site by the Minnesota Historical Society. From Saint Paul's center, the drive to Fort Snelling State Park is roughly fifteen minutes, and the park offers convenient access to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and the Mall of America in nearby Bloomington.

For short-term rental investors and visitors alike, Saint Paul offers a distinct personality within the Twin Cities, blending civic landmarks, family-friendly green spaces, and easy access to rivers, bluffs, and regional parkland. Its compact layout, walkable downtown, and proximity to the broader attractions of the metropolitan area make it an inviting base for travelers interested in both the history of the upper Midwest and the natural scenery that surrounds it.