Glenwood, Minnesota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Short-term rentals are allowed in Glenwood, MN, but the regulatory framework varies significantly between the incorporated City of Glenwood and Glenwood Township (unincorporated areas). In the City of Glenwood, specific STR regulations were not found in the available city ordinances. However, in Glenwood Township, vacation rentals are explicitly allowed and regulated through Pope County's comprehensive zoning framework.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Glenwood?

Glenwood hosts earn a median $23,183/year with $245 ADR and 48% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $28,271+ per year.

See the full Glenwood market breakdown

Whether Short-Term Rentals Are Allowed

City of Glenwood (Incorporated Areas)

No specific short-term rental regulations were identified in the provided city documentation
Standard zoning and building permit requirements apply to rental properties
Additional regulations may exist in other city ordinances not included in the provided content

Glenwood Township (Unincorporated Areas)

Vacation rentals are explicitly permitted and regulated under the following provisions:

Article IV, Section 4.2(G): "One vacation rental unit per parcel which meets the standards set forth in Section 10.30.3.2.a. of the County Ordinance"

Article IV, Section 4.3(K): "Vacation rental properties, subject to the standards set forth in Section 10.30 of the County Ordinance"

This indicates that vacation rentals are allowed in the Residential District (R) as either:

Permitted uses (when meeting specific standards)
Conditional uses (subject to permit requirements)

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business

For Properties in City of Glenwood:

Verify Zoning Compliance: Confirm that short-term rentals are permitted in your property's zoning district
Obtain Building Permits: If making structural changes, submit appropriate building permit applications
Check City Ordinances: Review all city ordinances to identify any applicable STR-specific regulations
Contact City Hall: Verify compliance with city requirements by contacting the City Clerk

For Properties in Glenwood Township:

Determine Zoning District: Identify whether your property falls within Residential (R), Agriculture (A-1), Agriculture Protection (A-2), Industrial (I), or Special Commercial (SC) districts
Review Vacation Rental Standards: Consult Pope County Ordinance Section 10.30 for specific vacation rental requirements
Apply for Appropriate Permits:
- Permitted Use: If property qualifies under Section 4.2(G) with one vacation rental unit per parcel
- Conditional Use Permit: If property requires approval under Section 4.3(K)
Meet County Requirements: Ensure compliance with all Pope County regulations referenced in the zoning ordinance

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Glenwood:

Building Permits (if applicable):

Miscellaneous Permits:

Event Permit Application

Glenwood Township:

Zoning Applications:

Planning Request Application
Conditional Use Permit (for vacation rental properties requiring CUP)
Substantially Similar Use Determination (if property use is not explicitly listed)

Required Documentation:

Property ownership verification
Compliance with Pope County Ordinance Section 10.30 (vacation rental standards)
Meeting standards for Section 10.30.3.2.a (for permitted use applications)
Site plan showing proposed rental use
Any required variance applications if property doesn't meet dimensional requirements

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City-Level (City of Glenwood)

General Building Codes: Must comply with Minnesota State Building Code
Zoning Compliance: Property must be used in accordance with zoning district requirements
Ordinance Compliance: Subject to all applicable city ordinances
Permit Requirements: Building permits required for structural modifications

Township-Level (Glenwood Township)

Residential District (R) Vacation Rental Regulations:

Permitted Use Requirements (Section 4.2(G)):

Maximum one vacation rental unit per parcel
Must meet all standards in Pope County Ordinance Section 10.30.3.2.a
Single-family dwelling (one per lot)
Two-family dwelling (one per lot)

Conditional Use Requirements (Section 4.3(K)):

Subject to standards in Pope County Ordinance Section 10.30
Requires conditional use permit approval
Planning Commission review and Town Board approval required

Dimensional Requirements:

Minimum Lot Area: 40,000 sq ft (single), 80,000 sq ft (duplex), 120,000 sq ft (triplex), 160,000 sq ft (quad)
Side Yard Setback: 10 feet
Structure Height Limit: 35 feet (except churches and non-residential agricultural structures)

County-Level (Pope County)

Referenced Regulations:

Pope County Ordinance Section 10.30 (Vacation Home Rental standards)
Performance standards adopted by reference including:
- Section 10.1 (Adult Oriented Uses)
- Section 10.3 (Agricultural Use Standards)
- Section 10.9 (Home Occupations)
- Section 10.30 (Vacation Home Rental)

State-Level (Minnesota)

Building Codes: Must comply with Minnesota State Building Code
Health Regulations: Subject to Minnesota Department of Health requirements
Tax Requirements: Minnesota Department of Revenue regulations for rental income
Zoning Authority: Minnesota Statutes sections 462.351 to 462.364 govern local zoning authority

Contact Information

City of Glenwood (Incorporated Areas)

Primary Contact:

Phone: 320-634-5433
Email: cog@ci.glenwood.mn.us
Address: 100 17th Avenue NW, Glenwood, MN 56334
Office Hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For Permits and Zoning Inquiries:

Contact City Hall during business hours
Visit the Forms/Permits/Ordinances page

Glenwood Township (Unincorporated Areas)

Township Contact Information:

Phone: Contact through City Hall (320-634-5433) for township referrals
Address: Same as City Hall (Township business may be conducted through City facilities)

Zoning Administration:

Zoning Administrator: Appointed by Town Board (contact through City Hall for referral)
Planning Commission: Reviews conditional use permits
Town Board: Final approval authority for zoning decisions

Pope County (For County Regulations)

County Contact Information:

Phone: Contact Pope County for specific ordinance questions
Address: Contact Pope County Administration for zoning enforcement

Links to Source Pages

Primary Source Documents:

City of Glenwood Forms/Permits/Ordinances
Glenwood Code - Comprehensive city ordinances
Glenwood Township Zoning Ordinance - Full zoning regulations for unincorporated areas

Specific Permit Applications:

Investment Considerations

Key Points for STR Investors:

Zoning Verification is Critical: Always confirm whether your property is within City limits or Glenwood Township before proceeding
Permit Requirements Vary: City properties may require different permits than Township properties
County Regulations Apply: Township properties must comply with Pope County vacation rental standards
Conditional Use Process: Some properties in Glenwood Township may require conditional use permits, adding time to the approval process
One Unit Limit: Glenwood Township has a maximum of one vacation rental unit per parcel in residential districts

Recommended First Steps:

Verify property jurisdiction (City vs. Township)
Review applicable zoning requirements
Contact appropriate local authority for specific guidance
Consult with local zoning professionals familiar with Glenwood area regulations

The regulatory framework is relatively straightforward for both jurisdictions, with the primary distinction being that Glenwood Township has explicitly adopted vacation rental regulations while the City of Glenwood may require case-by-case verification of requirements.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Glenwood

Glenwood is a small city in west-central Minnesota and serves as the county seat of Pope County. With a population of roughly 2,500 residents, it has the unhurried, neighborly feel typical of rural Minnesota county seats, and its identity is closely tied to the water and natural scenery that surround it. The town is best known as a gateway to Lake Minnewaska, one of the larger natural lakes in the western part of the state, and to the broader region of prairie, pothole wetlands, and glacial topography that defines this part of the Minnesota landscape. From Glenwood, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul lie roughly 130 miles to the southeast, a drive of about two to two-and-a-half hours depending on route and traffic.

A short trip out from the center of town, Lake Minnewaska is the centerpiece of the area's recreation scene. Spanning more than 14 square miles, the lake offers walleye and northern pike fishing, boating, swimming beaches, and lakeside parks, and its shoreline is studded with cabins, resorts, and public access points. Glenwood itself sits on the lake's northeastern shore, so many of the most popular spots are only a few minutes from downtown, making the town a natural base for visitors who want to spend their days on the water.

About fifteen minutes south of Glenwood, near the small town of Starbuck, Glacial Lakes State Park offers a different kind of outdoor experience. The park showcases the rolling, hilly terrain left behind by the last glaciation and features miles of hiking trails, a campground, a swimming lake, and one of the few horse trail systems in the Minnesota state park system. It is a popular destination for visitors looking to combine a lake vacation with hiking or horseback riding.

Downtown Glenwood adds a touch of local character with its small grid of locally owned shops, cafes, and the towering Big Ole statue, a 26-foot-tall Viking figure that has stood in the community since the 1960s and has become something of a regional landmark and photo stop. Together, the lake, the nearby state park, and the walkable downtown give visitors a varied set of things to do within a short radius.

For short-term rental owners, Glenwood's appeal lies in this combination: it is a genuine four-season destination, with summer anchored by water recreation and shoulder seasons shaped by hunting, fall color, and winter activities on the surrounding lakes and trails. The town's modest size keeps it under the radar compared with larger Minnesota resort areas, while its proximity to Lake Minnewaska and Glacial Lakes State Park gives it a steady appeal for families, anglers, and outdoor travelers looking for a quieter base than the more heavily marketed lakes farther north.