GoStudioM - Airbnb & VRBO Hosting Education Platform
CalendarAnalyzerAnalyticsLearnPricing
Guides
Videos
All VideosBest VideosTrending
NewsRulesTopics
GoStudioM - Airbnb & VRBO Hosting Education Platform

Built for hosts, by a host

Listing Analyzer

  • Get Listing Score
  • Title Generator
  • Review Responder
  • Guest Review Writer
  • All Listing Tools →

Cleaning Calendar

  • Try Calendar Free
  • Superhost Calculator
  • Maintenance Planner
  • All Operations Tools →

Financial Analytics

  • See Your Numbers
  • Fee Calculator
  • Special Offer Calculator
  • All Financial Tools →

Learn

  • Videos
  • News
  • Rules
  • Topics
  • Hosting Guides →

Compare

  • Best Cleaning Software
  • Turno Alternative
  • Properly Alternative
  • Hospitable Alternative
  • AirDNA Alternative

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • SMS Consent
  • Contact Us

© 2026 GoStudioM. All rights reserved.

  1. Home
  2. ·
  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Minnesota
  6. ·
  7. Winona

Winona

Moderate
MinnesotaUpdated Mar 18, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 6, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals (Tourist Homes) in Winona require a rental housing license, property inspection, and may necessitate a public hearing for an Interim Use Permit in residential zones.

Restriction level

Severity 21
Classification
Moderate
21
Severity

Why this classification

  • Standard permit fee: $180
  • Tenants cannot host
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb or VRBO in Winona, you must obtain a Rental Housing License and have your property inspected for safety. If your property is in a residential area, you may need to apply for an Interim Use Permit (IUP), which involves a public hearing. Additionally, you must comply with a city-wide '30% rule' that limits the number of rental properties on any single block.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$180
Processing time4-8 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1The '30% Rule' prevents more than 30% of single-family homes on a block from being licensed as rentals.
  2. 2Non-owner occupied STRs in residential zones MUST undergo a public hearing for an Interim Use Permit.
  3. 3Guest stays are strictly capped at 29 consecutive days; 30+ days is considered long-term housing.
  4. 4Off-street parking requirements mandate 1 space per 2 guests.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility5 rules
  • Winona: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
  • Winona does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
  • Winona does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
  • Winona: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Requirements12 rules
  • Winona: Non-owner occupied STRs in residential zones MUST undergo a public hearing for an Interim Use Permit.
  • Winona: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
  • Winona: Off-street parking requirements mandate 1 space per 2 guests.
Application process9 rules
  • Winona STR permit - Step 2: Obtain Interim Use Permit (IUP). If the property is in a residential district, apply for an IUP. This requires a public hearing before the Planning Commission and final approval from the City Council. Required documents: IUP Application Form, Site Plan. Time: 4-8 weeks. Cost: 450.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Winona charges a registration fee of $180 (biennial). Extended/additional fee: $450 (A $450 fee applies for a Conditional/Interim Use Permit application if a public hearing is required for residential districts.).
Taxes2 rules
  • Winona charges a City Hotel/Motel Tax of 0.04%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Hosts are typically responsible for remitting the local 4% tax to the city finance department.
  • Minnesota has a state sales tax of 0.06875% that applies to STR rentals.
Limits & restrictions5 rules
  • Winona limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
  • Winona: Guest stays are strictly capped at 29 consecutive days; 30+ days is considered long-term housing.
  • Winona enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
  • Winona limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: Smaller of 12 guests or 1 guest per 1,500 square feet of lot area
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Winona requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Compliance with Chapter 33A Housing Code, Safe electrical wiring, Refuse/recycling containers provided.
Penalties3 rules
  • Winona enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies. Second offense: Varies. Third offense: Varies. Daily fine: Varies. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.
  • Winona: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Winona: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Winona exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Winona

0/5
steps completed
Step 1

Verify Property Eligibility and 30% Rule

Contact the Planning & Zoning Department to ensure the property is eligible for a rental license and that the block has not exceeded the 30% rental density limit.

1-3 daysFree
Documents needed
  • Property Address
Official resource
Step 2

Obtain Interim Use Permit (IUP)

If the property is in a residential district, apply for an IUP. This requires a public hearing before the Planning Commission and final approval from the City Council.

4-8 weeks$450
Documents needed
  • IUP Application Form
  • Site Plan
Official resource
Step 3

Submit Rental Housing License Application

Complete the standard city rental license application for a 'Tourist Home'.

1 week$180
Documents needed
  • Completed Application
  • Proof of Insurance
Official resource
Step 4

Schedule and Pass Safety Inspection

An inspector will verify compliance with the Winona Housing Code, including fire safety and habitability standards.

1-2 weeksFree
Step 5

Register for Tax Remittance

Establish a process to collect and remit the 4% city lodging tax and state sales tax.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • State Tax ID
Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 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

Related Content

Other Minnesota markets
St. PaulModerate

St.

· Permit· 0.2% tax
DuluthProhibited

Duluth regulates STRs through a three-tiered permitting system that distinguishes between...

· Permit· Night cap· 0.1% tax
BloomingtonProhibited

Short-term rentals of less than 30 consecutive days are strictly prohibited in Bloomington.

· 0.2% tax
MoorheadPermissive

Moorhead requires all short-term rental properties to be registered annually with the city and...

· Permit· 0.1% tax