St. Paul, Minnesota Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
St. Paul 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
Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Saint Paul. By ordinance, a Short Term Rental should consist of a dwelling, or portion of a dwelling unit, rented for less than thirty days. It cannot be used for commercial or social events.Helpful Resources:
- Short Term Rental Basics
- Short Term Rental Zoning Ordinance
- Definition of Family and Occupancy Limits for a Short-Term Rental
- Graphic for Number of Short Term Dwelling Units Permitted
Business License Requirements
Property hosts and platforms must obtain a City License, renew it annually, and complete the Short Term Rental Host License Application.Saint Paul's different license types and registration fees:
- Short Term Rental Requirements
- Short Term Rental Host
- Short Term Rental Platforms
- Short Term Rental Licensing Ordinance
Building and Housing Standards
Saint Paul has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements for different Short-term rental types. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. View Zoning and Building Code for more information on your listing type here. You will also need a Fire Certificate of Occupancy (Fire C of O).Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county law. See Short Term Rental Lodging and Sales Tax for more details.Other 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 City of Saint Paul for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.8
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Competition
6.0 -
Real Estate Cost
7.9 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
8.0 -
Rental Rates
3.2
St. Paul, 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
- 310,368
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- June through Aug.
- County
- Ramsey
- Airports
- St. Paul Downtown Airport (STP)
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
Want to learn more about St. Paul?
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 St. Paul rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the St. Paul rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in St. Paul.
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 St. Paul guests.
Interested in other Minnesota cities?
Check out the Minnesota Airbnb rules directory
What makes St. Paul a great place to invest?
- Rich History and Architecture: St. Paul, the capital city of Minnesota, is home to a wealth of historical sites and stunning architecture. Visitors can explore the beautifully preserved State Capitol, designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, and marvel at the grandeur of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, a stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture that overlooks the city from the top of Cathedral Hill.
- Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene: St. Paul boasts a thriving arts and culture community, with theaters like the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and the Fitzgerald Theater hosting world-class performances year-round. Additionally, museums such as the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota History Center provide unique insights into the state's heritage and scientific achievements.
- Outdoor Recreation: With a multitude of parks, trails, and green spaces, St. Paul offers ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Como Park, home to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, provides visitors with beautifully landscaped gardens and recreational facilities. The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area runs through the heart of the city, offering miles of scenic trails, birdwatching spots, and water activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding.
- Unique Shopping and Dining Experiences: St. Paul's diverse neighborhoods are home to a range of distinctive shopping and dining experiences. Grand Avenue, lined with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants, is a favorite destination for both locals and visitors. The historic Lowertown district has undergone a revitalization and is now a hub for local artisans, craft breweries, and farm-to-table eateries.
- Sports and Entertainment: Sports fans can catch a game at the CHS Field, home to the St. Paul Saints, or enjoy the energy of an ice hockey match at the Xcel Energy Center, where the Minnesota Wild play. The city also hosts the St. Paul Winter Carnival, an annual event that celebrates the season with ice sculptures, parades, and live entertainment.
- Natural Wonders and Wildlife: St. Paul is surrounded by natural beauty and offers opportunities for wildlife observation. Visitors can explore the nearby Afton State Park, with its rolling hills, bluffs, and miles of trails, or visit the Minnesota Zoo for a close encounter with animals from around the world. The city's numerous parks also offer a chance to enjoy Minnesota's stunning landscapes and reconnect with nature.
St. Paul Nearby Cities
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9 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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15 miles away
- Rating: 6.3
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in St. Paul?
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 St. Paul has increased 1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $208, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$329,720
1% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$208
-3% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,456
2% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for St. Paul, Minnesota
Common terms for St. Paul 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 St. Paul has a description approximately 1,474 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 1,412 listings in St. Paul, 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 St Paul, Block, Minneapolis, Quiet, Comfortable, Cozy, Saint Paul, Basement, Desk, and Place.
What are the most popular tourist activities in St. Paul?
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 St. Paul involve going to the City Centre, Adventure Activities, Swimming, Outlet Shopping, and Museums. 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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Adventure Activities
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Swimming
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Outlet Shopping
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Museums
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Zoo
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Cycling
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Health Spa
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Antiquing
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Hiking
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Ice Skating
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Cross Country Skiing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in St. Paul, including U.S. Bank Stadium, Xcel Energy Center, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Target Center, and Minneapolis Convention 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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Xcel Energy Center
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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University of St. Thomas
Included on 56% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Macalester College
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Minnehaha Park
Included on 55% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Included on 55% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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U.S. Bank Stadium
Included on 54% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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University of Minnesota-West Bank Campus
Included on 54% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Minneapolis Convention Center
Included on 52% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Nicollet Mall
Included on 52% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Target Center
Included on 51% of listings
What’s the weather like in St. Paul, 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 25 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 20 inches per year. The humidity levels in Saint Paul 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
62° Low 80° High
Fall
September through November
41° Low 56° High
Cities Near St. Paul
St. Paul, Minnesota, is located in Ramsey County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
