Short-Term Rental Regulatory Guide for Mankato, MN (Blue Earth County Focus)

Overview: Are STRs allowed?

• Yes—outside cities, short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Blue Earth County as an “Interim Use” with an Interim Use Permit (IUP). This includes properties in these zoning districts: Agriculture, Conservation, Rural Residence, Rural Townsite, Shoreland, and Urban Fringe Overlay. The County adopted STR standards in 2022 and required existing STRs to obtain an IUP by February 1, 2023, to continue operating. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/1578/Short-Term-Rental-Units]
• Within the City of Mankato: The provided sources do not contain city-specific STR regulations. STR operations inside Mankato are not subject to the County’s Interim Use standards (the County’s rules explicitly apply outside cities). Treat this as a City of Mankato regulatory gap; you must contact the City of Mankato directly to determine if STRs are permitted, what permits or licenses are required, and any local conditions or standards. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/1578/Short-Term-Rental-Units; Mankato page offered but not provided]
• State-level requirements: Minnesota treats STRs as lodging establishments with transient occupancy. You should expect Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) lodging licensing and Minnesota Department of Revenue (DOR) tax requirements to apply. The County’s ordinance directs applicants to contact MDH regarding lodging licenses per Minnesota Rules Chapter 4625. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]

How to start a short-term rental business in this market

• Confirm jurisdiction first
  • Outside city limits (Blue Earth County): Follow County Interim Use permit path. Determine whether your property is in one of the allowed zoning districts. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Inside City of Mankato: Contact City of Mankato Community Development/Planning & Zoning to determine local requirements, permitted zones, permits, and any city-specific safety or licensing rules.
• Select an appropriate property
  • County: Ensure the parcel is in a permitted zoning district (Agriculture, Conservation, Rural Residence, Rural Townsite, Shoreland, Urban Fringe Overlay). [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Confirm sewage and capacity: Municipal sewer or an adequate Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) sized for the expected occupancy. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Design to standard
  • Plan parking to meet County standards (two off-street parking spaces minimum; properly sized per Sec. 24-310). [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Provide clear property line demarcation. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Engage required professionals
  • Minnesota Certified Building Official for building inspection and Certificate of Occupancy (prior to renting). [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Determine if an MDH Lodging License is required (per Minnesota Rules Chapter 4625). If required, plan for initial inspection and annual maintenance. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Apply for Interim Use Permit (IUP) if outside city limits
  • Submit a complete application to Blue Earth County Planning & Zoning. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/1578/Short-Term-Rental-Units; www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Ongoing compliance and operations
  • Maintain proof of liability insurance, manage refuse per County solid waste rules, post required guest information on-site, and designate a 24/7 Rental Property Manager who can respond within 120 minutes when guests are present. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • If within City of Mankato, follow any City-issued permit and licensing requirements once obtained.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• County (outside cities) – Interim Use Permit application package
  • Site plan showing: property lines; dwelling and accessory structures; square footage of parking areas/driveways; shoreland recreational facilities; outdoor garbage/recycling storage; wells and septic systems (including secondary location); docks/pathways; fire pit; other site-specific items. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Floor plans including bedroom count with dimensions. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Building inspection and Certificate of Occupancy by a Minnesota Certified Building Official. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Business plan covering quiet hours, maximum occupancy, parking, pet policy, refuse disposal, property rules, rental availability schedule, and any other jurisdictional licenses (including MDH). [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • SSTS commercial operating permit (if applicable). [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Proof of liability insurance. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Manager designation and contact information for 24/7 availability and 120-minute response when guests are present. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • If a MDH Lodging License is required: evidence of license or MDH’s written determination that it is not required. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• MDH Lodging License (state-level; applicability determined by MDH per Minnesota Rules Chapter 4625)
  • Typical lodging safety and sanitation standards; inspections; renewal. Contact MDH for applicability and requirements. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Minnesota tax registration (state-level)
  • Sales/use and lodging taxes registration with the Minnesota Department of Revenue; collection and remittance from transient guests. Contact DOR for registration and filing cadence. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]

Specific regulations: City, County, and State

County (Blue Earth County) – Short-Term Rental Standards

• Zoning: STR allowed as Interim Use in Agriculture, Conservation, Rural Residence, Rural Townsite, Shoreland, and Urban Fringe Overlay districts. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/1578/Short-Term-Rental-Units; www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Geographic scope: Standards apply outside cities and outside of Mankato Township and Lime Township. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/1578/Short-Term-Rental-Units]
• Application and permit
  • Interim Use Permit required for new operations; existing STRs had until February 1, 2023 to obtain an IUP to continue. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/1578/Short-Term-Rental-Units]
• Performance standards
  • Occupancy: Must comply with the capacity of the SSTS. If on municipal sewer, occupancy is limited to the lower of the business plan occupancy or the MDH Lodging License occupancy. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Density: Maximum of one STR per lot or parcel. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Guest lists: The Rental Property Manager must maintain a current list of occupants and provide it to County staff/law enforcement upon request. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Overnight lodging: Use of ice houses, fish houses, campers, RVs, tents, or accessory structures for overnight lodging by renters is prohibited on properties with an STR. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Recreational fires: One fire location allowed if it meets State Fire Code. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Inspections and CO: Building inspection and Certificate of Occupancy by a Minnesota Certified Building Official prior to renting. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Facilities: At least one full bathroom (sink, toilet, tub or shower). [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Refuse and garbage: Must comply with County Solid Waste (Chapter 16), with weekly pickup or more frequent as needed; disposal at permitted facilities. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Property line demarcation: Required. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Other commercial uses: No other commercial use on the property, including home occupations. Events for compensation that exceed occupancy limits are prohibited in Rural Residence and Rural Townsite districts. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Conditions: County may impose conditions to reduce impacts (screening, buffers, noise standards, docking restrictions, renter limits). [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Parking requirements
  • Minimum two off-street parking spaces, meeting Sec. 24-310 size standards; only in designated spaces. Public streets/rights-of-way may not be used for parking trailers or vehicles. Impervious surface limits must be met. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Sewage treatment
  • Municipal connection or SSTS; if SSTS, it must be properly sized for maximum occupancy per Section 6-377, hold a commercial operating permit, and holding tanks are not allowed. A secondary SSTS location must be identified and protected from vehicle/trailer impacts. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Rental Property Manager and neighbor notifications
  • Manager must be available 24/7 and able to respond in person within 120 minutes when patrons are present; have authority and knowledge of County rules. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Manager contact info is provided to neighbors within one-quarter mile at permit approval and must be posted on the property and, if applicable, on the property’s website. Changes must be reported within 10 days. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • Posting inside the STR unit: manager name/address/phone; maximum occupancy; parking stall locations; maximum vehicles/trailers and where to park; property line location; fire extinguisher(s); property rules (quiet hours, pets, refuse, recreational fires); MDH Lodging License evidence (if required); IUP conditions; emergency procedures (fire, tornado, etc.). [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Enforcement and complaints
  • Issues go to the manager first. If not acknowledged within 24 hours and not remedied, complaints can go to the Planning Agency for non-emergencies; emergencies go to law enforcement. Unresolved, substantiated complaints can result in IUP invalidation after review. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• Density restrictions (Rural Residence/Rural Townsite)
  • No parcel/lot within 125 feet of an existing permitted STR (property line to property line) is eligible for an STR IUP. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]

City of Mankato – Regulatory status

• No city-specific STR regulations were provided in the sources. Because the County’s standards explicitly do not apply inside cities, the legal status, permitting, zoning allowances, and operating standards within Mankato are not documented here. Investors must contact the City of Mankato directly for definitive requirements.

State of Minnesota – Regulatory baseline (applicability to STRs)

• MDH Lodging License: Minnesota Rules Chapter 4625. The County ordinance requires STR applicants to contact MDH to determine whether a Lodging License is required based on occupancy, configuration, and lodging use. If required, maintain it annually. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
• State lodging taxes: Operators typically must register with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, collect applicable sales and lodging taxes, and remit on schedule. Contact DOR for registration, rates, and filing requirements. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]

Contact information Blue Earth County Planning & Zoning (property and land use for STRs outside cities)

• Blue Earth County Government Center
  • Address: 410 S. 5th St., Mankato, MN 56001
  • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3566, Mankato, MN 56002-3566
  • Phone: (507) 304-4251
  • Hours: