Red Wing, Minnesota
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Red Wing, MN
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STR Regulations for Red Wing, Minnesota
Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Red Wing?
YES, short-term rentals are allowed in Red Wing, MN, but with specific regulations and permit requirements. As of November 4, 2023, Red Wing has implemented a comprehensive regulatory framework for short-term rentals through Ordinance No. 203 and No. 204. The city distinguishes between owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied units, with different permit requirements for each category. There are also caps on the number of non-owner-occupied units allowed citywide.
What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Red Wing?
Red Wing hosts earn a median $24,837/year with $195 ADR and 50% occupancy.
Top performers pull in $40,757+ per year.
See the full Red Wing market breakdown →How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Red Wing
Step 1: Determine Your Permit Type
- Owner-occupied units: Require a Certificate of Compliance
- Non-owner-occupied units: Require an Interim Use Permit (limited to 50 total citywide)
Step 2: State-Level Licensing
All short-term rentals must obtain a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) lodging license regardless of ownership status.
Step 3: Local Application Process
Submit applications to the Community Development Department at 419 Bush St. Applications can be:
- Submitted by fax: 651.388.4782
- Emailed to Planning Manager Steve Kohn (steve.kohn@redwingmn.gov) or Permits & License Manager Lisa Acker (lisa.acker@redwingmn.gov)
- Dropped off in person Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines
City of Red Wing Requirements
For All Units:
- Short-Term Rental Application Form
- Hotel and Motel Sales Tax Return Form (required for all approved STRs)
- MDH Lodging License (must be submitted prior to operation)
For Owner-Occupied Units:
- Certificate of Compliance
- Must include proof of owner occupancy
- Administered administratively
For Non-Owner-Occupied Units:
- Interim Use Permit (IUP)
- Valid for 5 years from approval
- Renewable per Section 90-045 (G)
- Expires upon property sale, use cessation, or owner/operator change
State of Minnesota Requirements
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH):
- New Construction Plan Review Application (complete pages 1, 2, and 4)
- Lodging License
- Initial state inspection (conducted at least 2 weeks before opening)
- Tax ID Number from Minnesota Department of Revenue
Fee Structure:
- MDH plan review fee: $375
- Annual MDH license fee (prorated for remainder of year)
- Licenses run January-December annually
Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals
City of Red Wing Zoning Districts
Owner-Occupied Units Allowed With Certificate of Compliance:
- A – Agriculture zoning district
- AR – Agriculture residential district
- R-1 – Single family residential district
- R-2 – Two family residential district
- RM-1 – Multiple family residential district
- RM-2 – Multiple family residential district
All Districts Require Interim Use Permit (Owner-Occupied or Non-Owner-Occupied):
- B-2 - General Business district
- B-2a - Mixed General Business & Central Business district
- B-3 - Central Business district
- Civic District
- MC - Mixed use Industrial/Office Commercial district
- MCT – Mixed Use Commercial Tourism district
- Riverfront district
Capacity and Parking Requirements
Occupancy Limits:
- Total occupancy = 1 + (number of bedrooms × 2)
- Example: 2-bedroom unit = maximum 5 guests
Parking Requirements:
- Residential districts: 1 off-street space per 2 guest rooms + 2 spaces per permanent residence
- All districts: Guest parking must be on improved driveway or parking surface on-site
- Must comply with Chapter 11 Zoning Code, Division 60
Distance and Concentration Limits
Non-Owner-Occupied Units:
- Maximum 50 total units citywide (currently 25 licensed as of January 14, 2025)
- Maximum 2 non-owner-occupied units within 400 feet of each other
- Multi-family building limits per Section 55-119 (Q):
- 12 or fewer units: up to 33% can be STRs
- 13-24 units: up to 25% can be STRs
- More than 25 units: up to 10% can be STRs
Owner-Occupied Units:
- No count toward maximum citywide limit
- Not subject to distance requirements
Operational Restrictions
Events and Gatherings:
- Events (more than 3 unregistered guests) not allowed unless approved in IUP
- Outdoor activities must cease by 10 PM
Grandfathered Operations:
- Existing conditional use permits remain valid
- Exempt from new requirements until permit revocation under existing guidelines
Tax Obligations
Hotel/Motel Tax:
- 3% tax on lodging charges (Ordinance No. 153, effective November 1, 1993)
- Must file monthly returns by 15th of following month
- Late fees apply for late payments
- Applies to all STR types (owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied)
State and County Regulations
Minnesota Department of Health (State Level)
- All lodging units require MDH licensing regardless of duration
- Units rented for less than one week are considered hotels/motels
- Initial inspections required before operation
- Ongoing compliance with building code, fire code, and public health regulations
Goodhue County
- No additional county-specific regulations identified
- MDH local contact: Andrea Kieffer, Health Sanitarian III (507.206.2721, andrea.kieffer@state.mn.us)
Contact Information
City of Red Wing - Community Development Department
Physical Address: 419 Bush St., Red Wing, MN 55066
Phone: 651.385.3623
Office Hours: M-Thursday 7 AM-4:30 PM, Friday 7-11 AM
Key Contacts:
-
Lisa Acker, Permits and License Manager
Phone: 651.385.5113
Email: lisa.acker@redwingmn.gov -
Steve Kohn, Planning Manager
Phone: 651.385.3622
Email: steve.kohn@redwingmn.gov
Minnesota Department of Health
- Local Contact: Andrea Kieffer, Health Sanitarian III
Phone: 507.206.2721
Email: andrea.kieffer@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Revenue
- Required for business tax ID number
- Website: revenue.state.mn.us
Links to Source Pages
Official City Documents
- Short-Term Rental Application Form (PDF)
- Hotel and Motel Sales Tax Return Form (PDF)
- Short-Term Rentals FAQ (PDF)
- Current Approved STR Locations List (PDF)
- Owner-Occupied Process Timeline (PDF)
- Non-Owner-Occupied Process Timeline (PDF)
State Resources
- MDH New Construction Plan Review Application
- Lodging in Minnesota
- MDH Lodging License Information
- Minnesota Lodging Requirements (Chapter 4625)
Municipal Websites
- City of Red Wing Short-Term Rental Main Page
- Community Development Department
- Ordinance No. 203
- Ordinance No. 204
Important Note for Investors: Given the 50-unit cap on non-owner-occupied STRs and the concentration limits, interested buyers should verify property eligibility before purchase. Contact the Community Development Department to confirm if prospective properties meet current regulatory requirements.
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Overview of Red Wing
Red Wing is a city and the county seat of Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, along the upper Mississippi River. The population was 16,547 at the 2020 census.This city is named for early 19th-century Dakota Sioux chief Red Wing. The federal government established a Mdewakanton Sioux Indian reservation—now Prairie Island Indian Community—in 1889 along the Mississippi River to free up land for new settlers. The city of Red Wing developed around it. The National Trust for Historic Preservation placed Red Wing on its 2008 distinctive destinations list because of its "impressive architecture and enviable natural environment."
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