Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Big Lake?

Big Lake does not explicitly prohibit short‑term rentals. The City’s public-facing rental licensing program is focused on traditional, long‑term rentals (single-family, duplex, and multi-family), requiring annual registration and periodic inspections. No separate short‑term rental (STR) permit program is posted on the city’s site. The safer interpretation is that STRs are allowed if you comply with applicable state tax obligations, county health requirements if you meet the “lodging” definition, zoning, building and fire safety, and nuisance/occupancy rules.

Importantly, Sherburne County (where Big Lake is located) does not publish a dedicated STR ordinance on its official site, and no city-specific STR rules are posted. As a result, investors should expect to rely on:

• Minnesota state-level tax and lodging rules,
• county health and sanitation requirements where applicable,
• local zoning and building code enforcement, and
• general nuisance, noise, and parking standards.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Big Lake

• Confirm zoning and land use. If you are within city limits, verify that transient rental use is allowed for your property type and zoning district. Contact Building/Planning for zoning confirmation.
• Register with the City for rental licensing if you meet the definition of a long-term rental. Even if you operate as an STR, properties rented for fewer than 30 days may still trigger city registration if the unit otherwise meets city licensing definitions.
• Enroll in state tax collection/remittance. Register with the Minnesota Department of Revenue (MNDOR) to collect and remit state sales tax and applicable lodging taxes for stays under 30 days. Many hosting platforms remit lodging taxes automatically; confirm your obligations if you accept direct bookings.
• Establish safety and sanitation standards. At a minimum, comply with smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements, egress, and general habitability standards under the Minnesota Residential Code. If your property is considered “lodging” (e.g., if you provide services typical of a hotel or B&B), obtain the appropriate Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) license before opening.
• Engage a local property manager. Even if you are remote, ensure you have a point of contact in the local area to handle guest issues, maintenance, and code enforcement interactions.
• Draft house rules and local ordinances addenda. Include quiet hours, occupancy caps tied to septic or dwelling capacity, parking rules, trash, and lake/recreational conduct.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City licensing (Big Lake)

• Rental Housing License for single- and two-family dwellings (annual registration).
  • Application: Single & Two-Family Rental Registration Application (PDF).
  • Purpose: Promote health, safety, and welfare; ensure compliance with City and State code.
• Multi-Family Rental Registration (if applicable; annual registration; inspections every two years).
  • Application: Multi-Family Housing Registration Application (PDF).
• Building permits and inspections: As required by the Minnesota Residential Code and city building standards.
• Minnesota Residential Code: Reference the current adopted edition.

State-level obligations (Minnesota)

• State sales and lodging taxes: For stays under 30 days, hosts must collect and remit applicable state sales and lodging taxes unless handled by a hosting platform.
  • Registration: Minnesota Department of Revenue.
  • Filing cadence: Typically monthly or quarterly, based on volume.
• Health licensing (lodging classification):
  • If your operation meets Minnesota’s definition of “lodging,” you may need a license from the Minnesota Department of Health before operating.
  • Initial applications and guidance are handled via MDH; the initial-license application form (new constructions and establishments) is available through MDH.
  • If you previously held an MDH lodging license, renewals are initiated by MDH each fall; contact MDH for renewals.

County considerations

• Sherburne County: No published STR-specific ordinance found on the county site. Confirm with county planning/zoning if any additional local rules apply to lodging, sanitation, or shoreland properties.
• Note on neighboring county example (for comparison only): Pine County requires a permit and publishes conditions (quiet hours, occupancy tied to septic capacity, parking prohibitions, etc.). Use this only as context when crafting your operating plan; Big Lake/Sherburne County rules may differ.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City (Big Lake)

• Rental Licensing Program:
  • Applies to single-family, duplex, and multi-family long-term rentals.
  • Annual registration; inspections for multi-family are on a two-year cycle.
  • The licensing purpose is to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
• Building code compliance: Minnesota Residential Code governs safety standards (alarms, egress, etc.).

County (Sherburne)

• No county-specific STR permit program is posted on the official site at time of review.
• Check with Sherburne County for any lodging, septic, shoreland, or zoning standards that might affect STRs.

State (Minnesota)

• Tax obligations:
  • State sales tax: 6.875% generally applies to lodging under 30 days.
  • Local lodging taxes: Additional county/city taxes may apply; verify with MNDOR.
• Lodging/health licensing:
  • If you meet MDH’s lodging definition, you must obtain a license before operating.
• General code/safety obligations:
  • Minnesota Residential Code requirements for smoke/CO alarms, egress, structural and fire safety.
• Occupancy/noise:
  • While there are no statewide STR occupancy limits, local rules and nuisance ordinances still apply.
  • Hosts must ensure guest conduct does not create disturbances.

Key Contacts and Where to Apply

City of Big Lake – City Hall

• 160 Lake Street North, Big Lake, MN 55309
• Phone: 763-263-2107
• Hours: Mon–Thu 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Fri 7:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

City of Big Lake – Building Department

• Building Permits and Inspections; Rental Housing Licensing.
• Phone: 763-263-2107
• Minnesota Residential Code reference: See ICCSafe Minnesota Residential Code.

Minnesota Department of Revenue (MNDOR)

• Registration and remittance of sales and lodging taxes.
• Website: MNDOR official portal; File and Pay; Sales and Use Tax.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

• Lodging licensing (if applicable).
• Initial license application (new): MDH lodging license process.
• Renewals: MDH initiates renewals each fall; contact MDH for status or updates.

Sherburne County (for county-level planning/zoning)

• General contact: Check county website for Planning & Zoning or Environmental Services.
• Note: No STR-specific ordinance posted at time of review; confirm local rules.

Notes for Investors

• Platform tax handling: If you list on Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar, confirm whether they remit Minnesota lodging taxes on your behalf; if not, you must register and remit via MNDOR.
• Insurance: Carry appropriate landlord/property and liability coverage; verify whether your policy covers transient rentals.
• HOA/condo bylaws: If the property is in a development with covenants, confirm whether short-term rental of fewer than 30 days is permitted.
• Enforcement: Expect compliance with Minnesota Residential Code safety standards, local nuisance ordinances, parking restrictions, and noise rules even if there is no separate STR permit.

Source Links

• City of Big Lake – Rental Housing Licensing: www.biglakemn.org/415/Rental-Housing-Licensing
• City of Big Lake – Multi-Family Rental Registration Application (PDF): www.biglakemn.org/DocumentCenter/View/2610/Application---Mulit-Family-Rental-Registration-Blank
• City of Big Lake – Single & Two-Family Rental Registration Application (PDF): www.biglakemn.org/DocumentCenter/View/5694/Single-and-Two-Family-Rental-Registration
• City of Big Lake – Building Permit Applications: www.biglakemn.org/152/Building-Permit-Applications
• Minnesota Residential Code (ICC): codes.iccsafe.org/content/MNRC2020
• RedAwning – Minnesota Short-Term Rental Laws (2025 Update): www.redawning.com/pm/post/minnesota-short-term-rental-laws
• Pine County – Short-Term Rentals (county example; not Sherburne County): www.pinecountymn.gov/departments/planning_and_zoning/short_term_rentals.php
• Minnesota Department of Health – Lodging License (initial application; new establishments): www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/food/docs/license/newconstrplanapp.pdf

Disclaimer: This guide reflects publicly posted materials at the time of review. City, county, and state requirements can change. Always verify with the City of Big Lake, Sherburne County, MNDOR, and MDH before listing or operating an STR.