Overview: Are STRs allowed in Sturgeon Lake, MN?

• Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Sturgeon Lake. Because Sturgeon Lake is within Pine County’s zoning jurisdiction (and inside the County’s shoreland overlay where applicable), an STR must obtain a Pine County short-term rental permit to operate. In shoreland areas, if the applicable township requires a permit for STRs, Pine County will honor the township permit without requiring an additional County application or fee (per Pine County ordinance provisions referenced by County Planning & Zoning). State-level requirements (including Minnesota Department of Health licensing) also apply.

How to start a short-term rental business in Sturgeon Lake

• Confirm your property’s zoning and whether shoreland provisions apply. Many Sturgeon Lake properties are within the County’s shoreland management overlay.
• If your township requires an STR permit in shoreland areas, obtain that township permit first. Pine County will honor it and may not require an additional County application or fee.
• Apply for a Pine County short-term rental permit (administrative permit) through Planning & Zoning. Permits expire three (3) years after issuance or upon sale/transfer of the property and are renewable with a new application.
• Secure Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) lodging licensing before operating.
• Provide a valid septic compliance certificate from a licensed septic inspector (or proof of municipal sanitary sewer hookup).
• Establish a local property manager or be personally available 24/7 for guest inquiries and complaints.
• Install compliance practices: quiet hours, occupancy limits tied to septic capacity (two guests per bedroom), parking restrictions, pet rules, watercraft limits, and no on-street parking or tents/campers.
• Maintain ongoing compliance: renew County permit every three years, keep MDH license active/renewed, and maintain septic compliance throughout operations.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Pine County STR Permit (administrative permit)
  • Application through Pine County Planning & Zoning.
  • If the township requires a STR permit in shoreland, a copy of that township permit may be substituted for the County application and no fee will be charged.
  • Permit term: three years; expires upon property conveyance.
• Minnesota Department of Health Lodging License
  • Required before operating; renewals are sent annually by MDH in the fall for previously licensed properties.
  • New license link provided by Pine County: www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/food/docs/license/newconstrplanapp.pdf (MDH Construction/Plan Review Application for Lodging). Use MDH’s lodging license pathways; contact MDH if your property was previously licensed and you need renewal instructions.
• Septic/Municipal Sewer
  • Valid septic certificate of compliance from a licensed septic inspector (or municipal/sanitary sewer hookup documentation) must be provided before operating and maintained during operations.
  • For rental units on chassis (RVs, tiny homes, etc.), a direct connection to a septic system with a valid compliance certificate is required.
• Advertising and occupancy
  • Do not advertise occupancy exceeding the permitted limit (septic capacity/bedroom limit).
• On-site rules and posting requirements
  • Quiet hours must be observed: 9 PM–7 AM Sunday–Thursday; 11 PM–7 AM on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays.
  • On-street parking is prohibited; guest ATVs/snowmobiles are not permitted.
  • Guests may not use tents, campers, or similar devices on the property.
  • Each rental party may have only one motorized boat on the property; launching motorized boats from the premises is prohibited where a public launch exists.
  • Up to two dogs are allowed; dogs must be leashed or in a fenced area.
  • Post Minnesota aquatic invasive species prevention guidelines for any watercraft use.
• Insurance and business registration
  • While not specifically cited in the County materials provided, obtaining appropriate insurance is strongly recommended and may be required by lenders or platforms. Separate from County permit, hosts should confirm state and local tax registration requirements.

Specific regulations for short-term rentals in Sturgeon Lake (city), Pine County (county), and Minnesota (state)

• City: Sturgeon Lake does not have separate STR-specific regulations in the materials provided. Operations are governed by Pine County’s ordinances and state law.
• County: Pine County Shoreland Management Ordinance and Pine County Zoning Ordinance govern STRs. Key standards:
  • STRs are an allowed use in shoreland districts (as listed in the County’s shoreland use tables) and are subject to administrative permit requirements.
  • County permits expire three (3) years after issuance or upon sale/transfer; renewals require a new application.
  • In shoreland, if a township requires an STR permit, the County will honor the township permit (no additional County application or fee required).
  • Occupancy limited to septic capacity and two guests per bedroom.
  • Quiet hours: 9 PM–7 AM (Sun–Thu), 11 PM–7 AM (Fri/Sat/holidays).
  • On-street parking is prohibited; no guest ATVs/snowmobiles; tents/campers not permitted.
  • Watercraft: one motorized boat per rental party; launching motorized boats from the premises is prohibited if a public launch exists on the waterbody.
  • Up to two dogs, leashed or contained.
  • Must maintain a local property manager or be available 24/7.
  • MDH lodging license required before operating; septic compliance certificate must be maintained.
  • Advertising must not exceed permitted occupancy.
  • Properties are limited to one dwelling unit unless additional units meet duplex/triplex/quad standards; non-primary units may not exceed 700 sq. ft. Properties proposing five (5) or more STR units are considered a resort and must meet resort standards.
  • Shoreland setback and other shoreland management provisions (e.g., signage, lighting, and shore impact zones) apply to the site and operations; non-conforming structures and septic systems are regulated in accordance with County and SSTS ordinances.
• State (Minnesota):
  • Minnesota Department of Health lodging license is required before operating a short-term rental. Renewal notices are issued annually in the fall.
  • Property must meet Minnesota Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) rules (e.g., Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7080); a valid septic compliance certificate must be maintained throughout operations.
  • State lodging and taxes may apply; hosts should coordinate with the Minnesota Department of Revenue and verify platform remittance responsibilities with Airbnb/VRBO.

Local authority contacts (Pine County Planning & Zoning)

• Mailing Address: 1610 Hwy 23 N, Sandstone, MN 55072
• Physical/GPS Address (for Sandstone office): 1602 Highway 23 North, Sandstone, MN 55072
• Phone: (320) 216-4220
• Alternate/ Toll-Free: (800) 450-7463 ext. 4220
• Fax: (320) 216-4244
• Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
• County website (Planning & Zoning/Short-Term Rentals): www.pinecountymn.gov/departments/planning_and_zoning/short_term_rentals.php
• Minnesota Department of Health lodging licensing: www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/food/docs/license/newconstrplanapp.pdf
• Office locations page (County contact directory): www.pinecountymn.gov/government/administrator/office_locations.php

Links to source pages

• Pine County Planning & Zoning – Short-Term Rentals: www.pinecountymn.gov/departments/planning_and_zoning/short_term_rentals.php
• Pine County Zoning Board Agenda (Jan 23, 2025) – includes STR-related ordinance context: cms7files.revize.com/pinecounty/document_center/Departments/planning%20and%20zoning/1FULL%20PACKET.pdf
• Pine County News – STR context: www.pinecountynews.com/communities/pinecity/local-impact-of-short-term-rentals/article_194fe0dc-2a11-11ed-a743-430431688484.html
• Pine County – Office Locations (County contacts): www.pinecountymn.gov/government/administrator/office_locations.php
• Minnesota Department of Health – Lodging (Construction/Plan Review Application) License: www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/food/docs/license/newconstrplanapp.pdf

Notes and cautions

• Short-term rental regulations evolve. Confirm the latest County shoreland and zoning amendments and any township-level shoreland permit requirements.
• If you have previously held an MDH lodging license, use MDH’s renewal pathway rather than the new-construction plan review link; contact MDH for clarification on the correct license category for your property type.
• If a public boat launch exists on the waterbody adjacent to your property, launching motorized boats from the STR premises is prohibited; watercraft use must comply with County rules and AIS guidelines.