Rochester, Minnesota Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Rochester Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
The Town adopted a local law requiring a permit to operate a short-term transient rental in the Town of Rochester. The use of a Short Term Transient Rental property shall be strictly considered an accessory use to residential use single-family and two-family dwelling units and allowable only upon receipt of a short-term transient rental permit in the AR-3, AB-3, R-1, R-2, R-5, H, and B zoning districts. The cap number of available Non-Owner-Occupied dwelling units shall be established by the Town Board annually on or before September 30 of each calendar year, based on the Town of Rochester Assessor Final Tax Roll for that year. Resident Owner-Occupied dwelling units shall have available an unlimited number of permits. See the Full Ordinance here.Business License Requirements
You must submit this application to operate a short-term transient rental in the Town of Rochester, you must submit this application.Building and Housing Standards
Rochester has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult the Department of Code Enforcement for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Property owners shall register with the County's Commissioner of Finance for a certificate of authority empowering such operator to collect the tax from the occupantOther Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Town of Rochester for more informationIs something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating6.3
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Competition
8.0 -
Real Estate Cost
7.6 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
9.6 -
Rental Rates
2.1
Rochester, Minnesota Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 121,395
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Olmsted
- Airports
- Rochester International Airport (RST)
- Austin Municipal Airport (AUM)
Want to learn more about Rochester?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Rochester rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Rochester rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Rochester.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Rochester guests.
Interested in other Minnesota cities?
Check out the Minnesota short term rental regulations directory
What makes Rochester a great place to invest?
- World-class healthcare and medical tourism: Rochester is home to the renowned Mayo Clinic, a premier medical institution providing world-class healthcare, cutting-edge research, and innovative treatment options. Visitors from around the globe come to receive top-notch medical care and wellness services, making it an essential destination for medical tourism.
- Plentiful outdoor recreation: Rochester offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including over 100 parks and green spaces. Quarry Hill Park, a 329-acre nature preserve, features hiking trails, a nature center, and a historic sandstone quarry. Additionally, the Zumbro River provides ample opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.
- Historic downtown charm: Downtown Rochester is a vibrant area with historic buildings, bustling shops, and diverse dining options. Visitors can stroll through the lively pedestrian walkways, enjoy local art galleries, or attend events such as the weekly Downtown Farmers Market and Thursdays on First & 3rd Summer Market and Music Festival.
- Accessible natural wonders: Rochester's location in southeastern Minnesota provides easy access to the stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures of the surrounding region. A short drive away, visitors can explore the scenic Mississippi River Valley, the breathtaking bluffs of Great River Bluffs State Park, or the lush forests and rivers of Whitewater State Park.
- Family-friendly attractions: Rochester is an ideal destination for families, offering attractions such as the Minnesota Children's Museum, the Rochester Trolley & Tour Company, and the Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. The city's numerous parks, recreational facilities, and educational programs create a welcoming environment for visitors of all ages.
Rochester Nearby Cities
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67 miles away
- Rating: 5.8
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72 miles away
- Rating: 6.3
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Rochester?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Rochester has decreased -5% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $175, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$359,943
-5% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$175
2% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,588
8% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Rochester, Minnesota
Common terms for Rochester short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Rochester has a description approximately 1,334 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 652 listings in Rochester, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Mayo Clinic, Rochester, St Mary, Block, Main, Family, Upstairs, Comfortable, Garage, and Basement.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Rochester?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Rochester involve going to the City Centre, Hiking, Adventure Activities, the Health Spa, and Cycling. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Hiking
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Adventure Activities
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Health Spa
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Cycling
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Antiquing
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Swimming
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Museums
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Ice Skating
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Paddle Boating
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Winery Tours
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Wildlife Viewing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Rochester, including Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Hospital - Saint Marys Campus, Mayo Civic Center, Apache Mall, and National Volleyball Center. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Mayo Clinic
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Mayo Clinic Hospital - Saint Marys Campus
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Mayo Civic Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Apache Mall
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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University of Minnesota-Rochester
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Olmsted County Fairgrounds
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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National Volleyball Center
Included on 8% of listings
What’s the weather like in Rochester, Minnesota?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 55°, while the average low is about 38°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 26 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 19 inches per year. The humidity levels in Rochester are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
13° Low 27° High
Spring
March through May
38° Low 56° High
Summer
June through August
61° Low 79° High
Fall
September through November
40° Low 57° High
Cities Near Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, is located in Olmsted County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
