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Alexandria

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Alexandria, MN

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STR Regulations for Alexandria, Minnesota

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Alexandria, MN?

YES — Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Alexandria, Minnesota, provided operators comply with the city's and county's licensing and regulatory framework. The city has established Ordinance 793 that specifically addresses short-term vacation rental registration, and Douglas County (through Horizon Environmental Health) maintains comprehensive licensing and inspection requirements for private/vacation home rentals across jurisdictions including Alexandria.

Short-term rentals operate under a dual licensing system: property owners must obtain approval from both the local municipality and Horizon Environmental Health, which serves as the regional public health authority for Douglas County.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Alexandria?

Alexandria hosts earn a median $40,102/year with $366 ADR and 47% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $57,162+ per year.

See the full Alexandria market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Alexandria

Step 1: Zoning and Land Use Verification

Critical First Step: Confirm your property's zoning compliance before proceeding with any applications.

  • City Properties: Contact the Alexandria Community Development Department to verify zoning allowances
  • Township Properties: Review Alexandria Township Zoning Ordinance Section V.X (Private/Vacation Home Rental provisions)
  • Shoreland Properties: Ensure compliance with shoreland district requirements if located within 1,000 feet of lakes or 300 feet of rivers

Step 2: Municipal Registration

Alexandria City Registration:

  • Submit rental registration through the Alexandria Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)
  • Contact Erin at the HRA: 809 Broadway, Alexandria, MN; Phone 320-762-1311
  • Complete any additional city-specific requirements

Alexandria Township Properties:

  • Review township zoning regulations regarding allowed uses
  • Apply for appropriate land use permits if required
  • Ensure compliance with Performance Standards (Section V of Zoning Ordinance)

Step 3: County-Level Licensing Application

Primary Licensing Authority: Horizon Environmental Health handles all private/vacation home rental licensing for Alexandria and Douglas County.

Application Process:

  1. Complete the Private/Vacation Home Rental License Application
  2. Submit required documentation (see requirements below)
  3. Schedule property inspection
  4. Pay licensing fees
  5. Receive license approval

Timeline: Plan for 2-4 weeks for application processing and inspection scheduling.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Municipal Requirements

City of Alexandria:

  • Rental Registration (handled through HRA)
  • Any applicable zoning permits or land use approvals
  • Proof of property ownership or legal authority to rent

Alexandria Township:

  • Land Use Permit (if required by zoning designation)
  • Compliance verification with Private/Vacation Home Rental provisions
  • Shoreland permit if applicable

County-Level Licensing Requirements (Horizon Environmental Health)

Required Documentation:

  1. Private/Vacation Home Rental License Application
  2. Private Vacation Home Rental Licensing Checklist (completed)
  3. Proof of Property Ownership
  4. Site Plan/Aerial Map (template provided by Horizon)
  5. Emergency Contact Information
  6. Good Neighbor Brochure acknowledgment

Inspections Required:

  • Initial safety and health inspection
  • Annual compliance inspections
  • Additional inspections for complaint-driven issues

Ongoing Compliance:

  • Annual license renewal
  • Maintaining compliance with health and safety standards
  • Record-keeping for guest stays and occupancy

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Alexandria Regulations (Ordinance 793)

  • Licensing Requirement: All short-term vacation rentals must be registered with the city
  • Application Process: Must comply with Ordinance 793 requirements
  • Compliance Monitoring: Regular monitoring for registration compliance

Alexandria Township Zoning Regulations

Permitted Uses by District:

Rural Conservation Residential (RCR) & Rural Residential (RR):

  • Private/Vacation Home Rental (meeting occupancy/capacity standards): Permitted
  • Exceeding overnight guest capacity: Conditional Use Permit
  • Exceeding property capacity: Conditional Use Permit

Urban Residential (UR) & Residential Shoreland (RS):

  • Private/Vacation Home Rental (meeting standards): Permitted
  • Larger operations require Conditional Use Permits

Commercial Districts:

  • Private/Vacation Home Rental typically permitted with conditions
  • Capacity limitations apply

Shoreland Requirements

Lot Size Requirements (Shoreland Districts):

  • General Development Lakes: 20,000 sq ft riparian, 40,000 sq ft non-riparian (unsewered)
  • Recreational Development Lakes: 40,000 sq ft (unsewered)
  • Natural Environment Lakes: 90,000 sq ft (unsewered)

Building Standards:

  • Maximum impervious surface: 25% (GDS/RDS), 20% (NES)
  • Structure setbacks from OHWL as applicable
  • Height restrictions: 25 feet for structures in shoreland areas

Douglas County Health and Safety Standards

General Requirements Include:

  • Adequate sewage disposal systems
  • Safe drinking water provisions
  • Fire safety compliance
  • Emergency exit specifications
  • Health and sanitation standards

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Licensing Authority

Horizon Environmental Health Handles licensing and inspections for private/vacation home rentals

Sanitarians:

  • Alicia Lang, Registered Sanitarian

    • Phone: 320.762.2986
    • Email: environnemental

  • Joey Steidl, Sanitarian

    • Phone: 320.763.4437
    • Email: environnemental

Public Health Supervisor:

  • Jessica Peterson
    • Phone: 320.762.2926
    • (Contact if sanitarians unavailable)

Main Office:

  • Address: 809 Elm Street Suite 1200, Alexandria, MN 56308
  • Phone: 800.450.4177 | 320.763.6018
  • Fax: 320.763.4127 | 888.229.2347
  • Email: environnemental

Public Service Hours:

  • Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • By appointment after 4:00 p.m.

Municipal Contacts

City of Alexandria

  • Phone: 320-763-6678
  • Address: 704 Broadway, Alexandria, MN 56308
  • Website: alexandriamn.city

Alexandria Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)

  • Contact Person: Erin
  • Address: 809 Broadway, Alexandria, MN
  • Phone: 320-762-1311
  • Website: alexandriahra.com

Alexandria Township

  • Contact: Township Zoning Administrator
  • Website: alexandriatownship.org

Source Pages and Documentation

Official Ordinances and Policies

  1. City of Alexandria Ordinance 793

    • Clarifying requirements for registration of short term vacation rentals

  2. Douglas County Private/Vacation Home Rental Zoning Ordinance

  3. City of Alexandria Short Term Vacation Rentals Ordinance

  4. Alexandria Township Zoning Ordinance (2021)

Licensing and Application Documents

  1. Private Vacation Home Rental Licensing Checklist

  2. Private Vacation Home Rentals General Requirements

  3. Private/Vacation Home Rental License Application

  4. Sample Aerial Map for Private/Vacation Home Rentals

  5. Good Neighbor Brochure

Additional Resources

  1. City of Alexandria Rental Registration Information

  2. Horizon Environmental Health - Private/Vacation Home Rentals Program

Compliance Summary

Key Takeaways for Investors:

  1. Dual Licensing Required: Both city/township approval and county licensing through Horizon Environmental Health
  2. Zoning Compliance Critical: Verify allowed uses before purchasing or developing
  3. Shoreland Considerations: Additional restrictions apply if within designated shoreland areas
  4. Annual Renewal: Expect ongoing compliance monitoring and annual license renewal
  5. Professional Support: Horizon Environmental Health provides comprehensive guidance and support throughout the licensing process

Estimated Timeline: 3-6 weeks from initial application to operational approval, depending on inspection scheduling and any required improvements.

Ongoing Costs: Annual license renewal fees, compliance inspections, and municipal registration renewals.

This regulatory framework is designed to ensure short-term rental operations maintain community standards while supporting the growing tourism industry in the Alexandria area.

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Alexandria

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
3/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Alexandria Market Analysis

Photos of Alexandria

Overview of Alexandria

Alexandria is a small city in Douglas County in central Minnesota, with an approximate population of around 14,000 residents. Often billed as the "Heart of Lakes," it sits amid a region of central Minnesota famous for its abundant lake country, with Douglas County alone home to more than 300 named lakes. The town has a relaxed, outdoorsy character shaped by its summer tourism trade, drawing families, anglers, boaters, and winter sports enthusiasts. Alexandria is roughly 130 miles northwest of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, a drive of about two and a half hours, making it a popular getaway destination for residents of the metro area.

A short walk from downtown, the Kensington Runestone Museum is one of the most distinctive attractions in the region. The museum houses the controversial Kensington Runestone, a slab discovered in 1898 that bears carvings purporting to record a Norse exploration of the area in 1362. Beyond the runestone itself, the museum offers exhibits on local pioneer and Native American history, giving visitors a sense of how central Minnesota developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Just north of town, Lake Carlos State Park offers a classic northwoods outdoor experience with more than 2,000 acres of prairie, hardwood forest, and the namesake lake. The park features a swimming beach, canoe and kayak rentals, a fishing pier, miles of hiking trails, and a campground, making it a year-round destination for swimming, paddling, hiking, and in winter, cross-country skiing. It sits only about 10 miles from central Alexandria, an easy drive for day visitors and short-term rental guests alike.

Central Lakes State Trail, part of Minnesota's state trail system, runs through the Alexandria area and is a draw for cyclists, walkers, and snowmobilers. The paved and natural-surface trail links several small communities in the region and offers a scenic way to experience the rolling farmland and lake country of central Minnesota. In town itself, the Big Ole statue, a 28-foot-tall Viking figure standing in a local park, nods to the runestone's Norse mythology and has long served as a quirky photo stop for travelers passing through.

Alexandria is a natural fit for short-term rentals because it combines the small-town charm and lake recreation of a traditional Minnesota vacation destination with easy access from a major metropolitan area. Guests come for boating, fishing, and lake life in summer, snowmobiling and ice fishing in winter, and a steady stream of regional events throughout the year. Its mix of well-known attractions, abundant outdoor recreation, and proximity to the Twin Cities gives short-term rental owners a reliable, year-round base of visitors eager to experience central Minnesota's lake country.

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