Update on Short-Term Vacation Rentals

​Our advocacy to help create a level playing field in the market continues to have success, as more and more counties have developed local regulations in the last two years. While there are currently over 8,000 vacation rental units in the state, government regulations have been challenged to keep up with the changing marketplace. Hospitality Minnesota, through its Short-Term Vacation Rental Work Group, has developed a Model Policy Checklist to aid counties and other local governments in developing fair regulations.

Read Our Issue Brief

Check Out Our Model STVR Policy Checklist

Beltrami, Blue Earth and Carlton Counties add Ordinances in 2022
Beltrami, Blue Earth, and Carlton counties are the most recent local governments to tackle the challenges around fair regulation of short-term vacation rentals by passing ordinances. The policies adopted by these counties include many of our recommendations, and we will continue to communicate with local governments as they adapt to market conditions and challenges posed by the changing technology and practices in overnight accommodation.

Lake County and Some Stearns County Townships hit “Pause” on Vacation Rentals  
In May, Lake County passed a one-year moratorium on any new short-term vacation rentals as the county grapples with concerns around housing shortages, property stewardship, and fair regulations. Several townships in Stearns County have taken similar actions to pause new rentals until the local governments can figure out the correct regulatory balance.

Review Lake County's Moratorium

Stearns County and Cook County Consider Updates to their Ordinances
As local townships hit pause, County Commissioners and staff in Stearns County are strongly considering updates to their regulations county-wide. Stearns was one of the first counties in the state in 2012 to address vacation rental regulation by requiring permits. Hospitality Minnesota has been in communication with county officials and hospitality thought leaders and we have shared both the Issue Brief and Model STVR Policy Checklist with the county and offered to serve as a resource. Similarly, Cook County has created a committee to review the ordinance it passed in 2019, which Hospitality Minnesota worked on. Much of the ordinance includes our suggestions. As in Stearns, we are in conversation with county officials and local hospitality leaders and have provided our resource materials and offers to aid in any way helpful.

Read Our Issue Brief

Access Our Model STVR Policy Checklist

Want to get involved? 
Are you interested in advocating for your county or local government to create a fair and level playing field through a vacation rental ordinance, or to improve the current regulations? We have tools and networking resources to help. 

Contact Ben