Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in St. Paul?

**Yes**, St. Paul requires a Short-Term Rental Fire Certificate of Occupancy. You need to apply through the Department of Safety and Inspections. This permit ensures your property meets fire safety standards, including working smoke detectors and safe exits. Operating without this certificate can result in fines.

What is the TOT tax rate in St. Paul?

**6% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in St. Paul. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Note that platforms like Airbnb may automatically collect this tax on your behalf, so be sure to confirm.

Are short-term rentals allowed in St. Paul?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in St. Paul, but the city distinguishes between owner-occupied and non-owner occupied units. Non-owner occupied units may require additional zoning approvals. Always check with the city’s zoning department to confirm your property's eligibility for short-term rental use before listing.

How much does an STR permit cost in St. Paul?

**$100** is the fee for the Short-Term Rental Fire Certificate of Occupancy in St. Paul. This is a one-time fee to register your property with the Department of Safety and Inspections. The certificate is required for all short-term rentals and ensures compliance with fire safety standards.

Can renters host on Airbnb in St. Paul?

**Yes**, tenants can host on Airbnb in St. Paul, provided they obtain the required Short-Term Rental Fire Certificate of Occupancy. Check your lease agreement and get permission from your landlord before listing your rental unit. Compliance with all city regulations is still required for tenant hosts.

St. Paul, MN Short-Term Rental Laws...

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

St. Paul requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain a Fire Certificate of Occupancy and register with the Department of Safety and Inspections. The city distinguishes between owner-occupied and non-owner occupied units, with the latter potentially requiring additional zoning approvals.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 8 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in St. Paul, you must get a special fire safety permit called a 'Fire Certificate of Occupancy.' An inspector will come to your house to check for working smoke detectors and safe exit windows. Once you pass and pay the $100 fee, you'll get a registration number that you must include in your Airbnb description. Don't forget that the city collects a total tax of about 15.9%, though platforms like Airbnb usually handle this for you.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$100

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.You must have a fire inspection before you can legally rent the property.
2.Non-owner occupied units (Class B) in residential zones (R1-R4) are limited to one per duplex/building unless a Conditional Use Permit is obtained.
3.Egress windows are strictly enforced; if a basement bedroom doesn't have a code-compliant exit window, it cannot be used for guests.
4.The 1% sales tax increase effective April 2024 brings the total sales tax to 9.875%, on top of the 6% lodging tax.
5.Registration numbers must be clearly visible in the first line of the listing description.
6.Failure to register can result in the city forcing the platform to take down your listing.
7.Tenants may host but MUST have written permission from their landlord on file.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•St. Paul: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•St. Paul: Exterior identification signs for the STR are prohibited in residential districts.
•St. Paul: Commercial or social events (weddings, parties, etc.) are strictly prohibited at STR properties.

Requirements(18)

•St. Paul STR warning: Non-owner occupied units must have a valid Fire Certificate of Occupancy (FCO).
•St. Paul STR warning: Exterior identification signs for the STR are prohibited in residential districts.
•St. Paul STR warning: Commercial or social events (weddings, parties, etc.) are strictly prohibited at STR properties.

Application Process(8)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in St. Paul: Step 1: Determine Eligibility and Zoning - Verify that your property type and zone allow for the intended number of STR units (max 1 for single-family or non-owner duplex). Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/city-licenses/business-licenses/short-term-rental-host-and-platform Step 2: Apply for Fire Certificate of Occupancy (Non-Owner Occupied) - If the unit is not owner-occupied, you must obtain a Fire C of O and pay the associated inspection fees. Documents needed: Provisional Fire C of O Application. Estimated time: 2-4 weeks. More info: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/fire-inspections-certificate-occupancy Step 3: Submit Short-Term Rental Host License Application - Complete the application via the PAULIE portal or paper form, including proof of $300,000 liability insurance. Documents needed: Application form, Proof of insurance, Workers' Comp form, Owner consent (if renter). Estimated time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 45. More info: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/city-licenses/business-licenses/short-term-rental-host-and-platform Step 4: Post Required Safety Information - Post emergency contacts, floor plans with fire exits, and maximum occupancy in a conspicuous place within the unit. Estimated time: 1 day.

Fees & Costs(1)

•St. Paul charges a registration fee of $45 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•St. Paul charges a Lodging Tax of 3%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and Vrbo generally collect state sales tax; hosts should verify local lodging tax remittance.
•Minnesota has a state sales tax of 6.875% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•St. Paul occupancy calculation: Limited to the definition of 'family' in Section 60.207 of the Zoning Code.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•St. Paul: Single-family homes and non-owner occupied duplexes are limited to only ONE short-term rental unit per property.
•St. Paul limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•St. Paul enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety Requirements(2)

•St. Paul: Non-owner occupied units must have a valid Fire Certificate of Occupancy (FCO).

Penalties(2)

•St. Paul enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by violation type. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•St. Paul: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•St. Paul exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
•St. Paul: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

St. Paul

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

Requirements(18)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(2)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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St. Paul

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in St. Paul?

2What is the TOT tax rate in St. Paul?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in St. Paul?

4How much does an STR permit cost in St. Paul?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in St. Paul?

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