What should Duluth hosts know about full vacation dwelling units (vdus)?

Full Vacation Dwelling Units (VDUs) are capped at 60 total permits citywide (excluding Form Districts).

What should Duluth hosts know about multi-family buildings with 3 or?

Multi-family buildings with 3 or more units are prohibited from hosting AHS or AVDUL rentals.

Are there rental limits in Duluth?

The AVDUL permit restricts you to only 21 rental nights per year.

What are the key requirements for Duluth hosts?

Life Safety Operational Permits must be renewed every 3 years.

Duluth

Prohibited

MinnesotaUpdated Mar 29, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 8, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Duluth regulates STRs through a three-tiered permitting system that distinguishes between owner-occupied home shares and full-time vacation rentals, the latter of which is subject to a citywide cap.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Severe night cap: 21 nights/year
Standard permit fee: $291.91
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required

In plain English

What this means for you

If you live in your home and stay while guests are there, you need an Accessory Home Share permit. If you want to rent the whole house while you're away, you need either a Limited permit (max 21 nights/year) or a full Vacation Dwelling Unit permit, though full permits are currently capped and hard to get.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit21/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$292

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Full Vacation Dwelling Units (VDUs) are capped at 60 total permits citywide (excluding Form Districts).
2Multi-family buildings with 3 or more units are prohibited from hosting AHS or AVDUL rentals.
3The AVDUL permit restricts you to only 21 rental nights per year.
4Life Safety Operational Permits must be renewed every 3 years.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Duluth prohibits STRs in the following property types: Multi-family (3+ units) for AHS/AVDUL, RV, Tents.
Duluth does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Duluth limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Duluth: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements10 rules

Duluth requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Permit". Apply through Planning and Economic Development. Processing time: 2-4 weeks. Renewal is required.
Duluth STR warning: Multi-family buildings with 3 or more units are prohibited from hosting AHS or AVDUL rentals.

Application process8 rules

Duluth: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Site Plan, Floor Plan with Egress Routes, Proof of Insurance, Homestead Affidavit, MDH Lodging License.
Duluth STR permit - Step 1: Verify Zoning and Category. Determine if your property is in a Form District (no cap) or a Residential district (capped). Choose between AHS, AVDUL, or VDU tiers. Time: 1 day.

Fees & costs1 rule

Duluth charges a registration fee of $291.91 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $2500 ($2,500 for Interim Use Permit (VDU category); $500 for AVDUL category.).

Taxes2 rules

Duluth charges a City Tourism Tax of 0.045%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Hosts are generally responsible for collecting and remitting the local 6.5% tourism-related taxes directly to the city.
Minnesota has a state sales tax of 0.06875% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions9 rules

Duluth limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Duluth limits STRs to a maximum of 9 guests. Formula: 1 guest + (2 x number of bedrooms), not to exceed 9 total
Duluth limits STRs to 21 nights per year. This applies to unhosted rentals. Exception: The 21-night cap only applies to the AVDUL tier; VDU tier has no annual night limit but is subject to a total citywide permit cap.

Safety requirements2 rules

Duluth requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress window in every sleeping room, Life Safety Operational Permit required, Site plan showing parking.
Duluth: Life Safety Operational Permits must be renewed every 3 years.

Penalties2 rules

Duluth enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Double permit fee. Second offense: Permit revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Duluth: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Duluth: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.
Duluth: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Duluth exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Duluth

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Zoning and Category

Determine if your property is in a Form District (no cap) or a Residential district (capped). Choose between AHS, AVDUL, or VDU tiers.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain State Licenses

Apply for a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Lodging License and a Minnesota Revenue Tax ID.

2 weeks$150

Documents needed

Business information
Property details

Official resource

Step 3

Submit City Application via ePlace

Create an account on Duluth's ePlace portal and upload required drawings and affidavits.

2-4 weeks$291.91

Documents needed

Site plan
Floor plan
Homestead affidavit

Official resource

Step 4

Schedule Fire/Life Safety Inspection

The city will conduct an inspection to ensure the property meets fire and building codes, including proper egress and smoke detectors.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

1 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Duluth

Prohibited

MinnesotaUpdated Mar 29, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 8, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Duluth regulates STRs through a three-tiered permitting system that distinguishes between owner-occupied home shares and full-time vacation rentals, the latter of which is subject to a citywide cap.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Severe night cap: 21 nights/year
Standard permit fee: $291.91
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit21/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$292

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Full Vacation Dwelling Units (VDUs) are capped at 60 total permits citywide (excluding Form Districts).
2Multi-family buildings with 3 or more units are prohibited from hosting AHS or AVDUL rentals.
3The AVDUL permit restricts you to only 21 rental nights per year.
4Life Safety Operational Permits must be renewed every 3 years.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Duluth prohibits STRs in the following property types: Multi-family (3+ units) for AHS/AVDUL, RV, Tents.
Duluth does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Duluth limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Duluth: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements10 rules

Duluth requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Permit". Apply through Planning and Economic Development. Processing time: 2-4 weeks. Renewal is required.
Duluth STR warning: Multi-family buildings with 3 or more units are prohibited from hosting AHS or AVDUL rentals.

Application process8 rules

Duluth: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Site Plan, Floor Plan with Egress Routes, Proof of Insurance, Homestead Affidavit, MDH Lodging License.
Duluth STR permit - Step 1: Verify Zoning and Category. Determine if your property is in a Form District (no cap) or a Residential district (capped). Choose between AHS, AVDUL, or VDU tiers. Time: 1 day.

Fees & costs1 rule

Duluth charges a registration fee of $291.91 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $2500 ($2,500 for Interim Use Permit (VDU category); $500 for AVDUL category.).

Taxes2 rules

Duluth charges a City Tourism Tax of 0.045%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Hosts are generally responsible for collecting and remitting the local 6.5% tourism-related taxes directly to the city.
Minnesota has a state sales tax of 0.06875% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions9 rules

Duluth limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Duluth limits STRs to a maximum of 9 guests. Formula: 1 guest + (2 x number of bedrooms), not to exceed 9 total
Duluth limits STRs to 21 nights per year. This applies to unhosted rentals. Exception: The 21-night cap only applies to the AVDUL tier; VDU tier has no annual night limit but is subject to a total citywide permit cap.

Safety requirements2 rules

Duluth requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress window in every sleeping room, Life Safety Operational Permit required, Site plan showing parking.
Duluth: Life Safety Operational Permits must be renewed every 3 years.

Penalties2 rules

Duluth enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Double permit fee. Second offense: Permit revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Duluth: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Duluth: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.
Duluth: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Duluth exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Duluth

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Zoning and Category

Determine if your property is in a Form District (no cap) or a Residential district (capped). Choose between AHS, AVDUL, or VDU tiers.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain State Licenses

Apply for a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Lodging License and a Minnesota Revenue Tax ID.

2 weeks$150

Documents needed

Business information
Property details

Official resource

Step 3

Submit City Application via ePlace

Create an account on Duluth's ePlace portal and upload required drawings and affidavits.

2-4 weeks$291.91

Documents needed

Site plan
Floor plan
Homestead affidavit

Official resource

Step 4

Schedule Fire/Life Safety Inspection

The city will conduct an inspection to ensure the property meets fire and building codes, including proper egress and smoke detectors.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

1 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Zoning and Category

Obtain State Licenses

Submit City Application via ePlace

Schedule Fire/Life Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1What are the STR rules in Duluth, MN?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Zoning and Category

Obtain State Licenses

Submit City Application via ePlace

Schedule Fire/Life Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1What are the STR rules in Duluth, MN?

Disclaimer