Cloquet, Minnesota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Cloquet, MN, but they are subject to specific regulations at both the city and county levels. In Cloquet (within city limits), short-term rentals are treated similarly to bed and breakfast operations and require a conditional use permit. In Carlton County's unincorporated areas, vacation rentals require a county vacation rental permit. The city also mandates annual registration of all rental housing properties.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Cloquet?

Cloquet hosts earn a median $24,971/year with $200 ADR and 51% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $42,451+ per year.

See the full Cloquet market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Cloquet, MN

Step 1: Determine Jurisdiction

Within Cloquet city limits: Contact the City Community Development Department
In Carlton County unincorporated areas: Contact Carlton County Zoning and Environmental Services

Step 2: For City Properties (Cloquet)

Apply for a conditional use permit (treated like a bed and breakfast)
Complete annual rental housing registration
Ensure compliance with city rental housing regulations (Section 10.7 of City Code)

Step 3: For County Properties

Apply for a Carlton County Vacation Rental Permit
Ensure compliance with County Zoning Ordinance #27

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

City of Cloquet Requirements

Conditional Use Permit (for STRs within city limits)

Fee: $400 filing fee
Process:
- Online application available
- Legal notice published in local newspaper
- Neighbors within 350 feet notified
- Public hearing held
- Final approval by Cloquet City Council

Annual Rental Housing Registration

Requirement: All rental properties (single-family, duplex, multi-family)
Purpose: Ensures city has current owner/property manager contact information
Contact: Email completed registration to jkelley@cloquetmn.gov

Carlton County Requirements

Vacation Rental Permit

Fee: $150.00
Validity: Expires upon property sale/transfer or after three years
Required Attachments:
- Payment (check payable to Carlton County Treasurer)
- Completed application with original signatures
- Minnesota Department of Health license verification or written statement explaining why not required
- Certificate of Compliance for septic system (if applicable)
- Current water test results (within 30 days) for nitrate and coliform bacteria
- Site plan drawing with specific requirements
- Licensed garbage hauler information

Minnesota Department of Health Requirements

Annual license required for vacation rental operation
Contact for licensing requirements and compliance

Specific Regulations

Cloquet City Requirements (Section 10.7 of City Code)

Annual registration mandatory for all rental properties
Must maintain minimum standards as outlined in city rental housing regulations
Properties must meet life safety and building code requirements

Carlton County Vacation Rental Standards

Occupancy Limits

Maximum overnight guests: Three persons per bedroom plus two additional guests
Alternative limit: No more than one person per 75 gallons of water per day septic system capacity
Total occupancy: Maximum number of guests (overnight + non-overnight) cannot exceed twice the approved overnight occupancy

Operational Requirements

Quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Local contact: Must be available 24/7, respond by phone within 60 minutes, in-person within 120 minutes
Property information handbook: Must include owner/caretaker contact, quiet hours, occupancy limits, pet policy, garbage/recycling plan, property rules
Parking: Minimum one space per bedroom plus one space for operator, no parking within 50 feet of adjacent dwellings (unless screened)
Property boundary marking: Must clearly identify boundaries for guests

Prohibited Activities

Commercial receptions, parties, etc.
Additional occupancy via RVs, tents, accessory structures, fish houses
Launching guests' motorized watercraft (watercraft must be moored at dock)
Nuisance barking by unattended pets

Advertisement Requirements

All advertisements must match permit application and Carlton County Zoning Ordinance #27 requirements
Must include quiet hours and other specified regulations

Waste Management

All garbage stored per Carlton County Solid Waste Ordinance #17
Must use Carlton County licensed garbage hauler or self-haul to transfer station
Service must include recycling for at least three commodities
Septic systems: If pressurized water present, must connect to compliant septic system

Contact Information

City of Cloquet

Community Development Department

Phone: (218) 879-2507
Website: www.cloquetmn.gov/our-city/permits-licenses
Address: 101 - 14th Street, Cloquet, MN 55720-1657
Main Phone: (218) 879-3347
Rental Registration Email: jkelley@cloquetmn.gov

Carlton County

Zoning and Environmental Services

Phone: (218) 384-9176
Administrator: Heather Cunningham - (218) 384-9174
Address: 301 Walnut Avenue, Room 103, P.O. Box 220, Carlton, MN 55718-0220
Website: www.carltoncountymn.gov

Minnesota Department of Health

Phone: (218) 302-6166
Contact: For vacation rental licensing requirements

Additional Resources and Compliance Notes

Zoning Authority Clarification

Carlton County Zoning and Environmental Services has authority over:

All unincorporated areas of Carlton County
All shoreland areas (within 1,000 feet of classified lakes or 300 feet of classified rivers/streams)
Specific cities including Cromwell, Carlton, and Thomson Township

Exception: Cities like Cloquet have their own zoning authority, but county retains shoreland jurisdiction.

Sewage and Water Requirements

Septic Compliance: Required for properties within 1,000 feet of classified lakes or 300 feet of rivers/streams
Water Testing: Current nitrate and coliform bacteria tests required for vacation rental permits
E-911 Address: Required for all primary structures

Property Transfer and Permits

Vacation Rental Permits expire upon property sale or transfer
Annual renewal required every three years
Existing vacation rentals had six months from March 1, 2022, to apply for permits

Regulatory Changes

Carlton County modified Ordinance No. 27 for Vacation Rentals, effective March 1, 2022
Changes eliminated need for Conditional Use Permits in certain situations
County began accepting applications under new rules starting March 1, 2022

Source Links

Carlton County Vacation Rental Application: www.carltoncountymn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3783/Vacation-Rental-Application-PDF
Cloquet Rental Housing Registration: www.cloquetmn.gov/i-want-to/rental-registration-form
Pine Journal Article on Carlton County Airbnbs: www.pinejournal.com/news/carlton-county-homeowners-offer-airbnb-rentals
LSAR Information Center - Regulatory Resources: www.lsarealtors.com/main/information-center/
Cloquet City Website - Permits & Licenses: www.cloquetmn.gov/our-city/permits-licenses

Note: Regulations may be subject to change. Always verify current requirements with local authorities before proceeding with any short-term rental investment or operation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Cloquet

Cloquet is a small city of roughly 12,000 residents in Carlton County, in northeastern Minnesota, where it straddles the St. Louis River amid the pine and birch forests of the region. The town carries a strong working-class and outdoorsy character rooted in its long history as a timber and paper-mill community, and it serves as a useful jumping-off point for travelers exploring the North Woods and the western gateway to Lake Superior's North Shore. Cloquet sits about 20 miles southwest of Duluth, the nearest major city, and a little over two hours north of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, giving it a quiet, lived-in feel while keeping it within easy reach of bigger attractions.

Just south of town, Jay Cooke State Park is one of the most scenic stretches of public land in Minnesota, where the St. Louis River cuts a dramatic gorge through ancient bedrock. The park is famous for its swaying suspension bridge over the river, miles of hiking and biking trails including a segment of the long-distance Willard Munger State Trail, and a year-round campground that draws visitors in every season. From central Cloquet, the park's main entrance is only about a 10-minute drive.

A short drive northeast brings visitors to Duluth, the regional hub on the western tip of Lake Superior. From Canal Park's famous Aerial Lift Bridge and lakewalk, to the restored Glensheen Mansion on the city's east side, Duluth offers a full slate of restaurants, museums, breweries, and waterfront attractions. The trip between Cloquet and downtown Duluth typically takes around 25 to 30 minutes via I-35, making day trips easy for short-term rental guests.

For a closer-to-home outing, the St. Louis River itself runs right through Cloquet and supports paddling, fishing, and walks along its banks, while a network of paved and gravel bike paths, including segments of the Willard Munger State Trail, links the city to surrounding forests. The area also sits within a short drive of the Fond du Lac community, as well as a host of smaller lakes, cross-country ski trails, and snowmobile routes that fill in the seasons when the river is frozen.

Altogether, Cloquet offers short-term rental owners a compelling mix of small-town affordability, Northwoods character, and proximity to two of Minnesota's strongest tourism draws—Jay Cooke State Park and the Lake Superior city of Duluth. Visitors get a peaceful base with forested surroundings, a real local community, and the option to spend every day outdoors, whether they are chasing fall color, summer paddling, or winter snow.