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

STRs Allowed

MinnesotaLast updated: February 10, 2026

Baseline Verification

50%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 8, 2026

Summary

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

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

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

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

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

21/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$292

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

•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.

Requirements(10)

•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 Process(8)

•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 & Costs(1)

•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.).

Taxes(2)

•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 & Restrictions(9)

•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 Requirements(2)

•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.

Penalties(2)

•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.

Exemptions(3)

•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.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Unlock: 4-Step Application Guide

Get step-by-step application guides and access to all 51+ markets.

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.

Other Minnesota Markets

St. Paul

Minnesota

Moderate

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.

Permit required

0.2% total tax

Bloomington

Minnesota

Prohibited

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

0.2% total tax

Eden Prairie

Minnesota

Permissive

Short-term rentals in Eden Prairie are permitted provided the owner obtains an annual Rental Housing License and passes a mandatory fire safety inspection.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Moorhead

Minnesota

Permissive

Moorhead requires all short-term rental properties to be registered annually with the city and undergo mandatory safety inspections and owner training.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Duluth

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

Requirements(10)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(9)

Safety Requirements(2)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(3)

Create a free account

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Minnesota Markets

St. Paul

Bloomington

Eden Prairie

Moorhead

Duluth

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1What are the STR rules in Duluth, MN?

Related Content

Other Minnesota Markets

St. Paul

Bloomington

Eden Prairie

Moorhead