Hopkins, Minnesota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

YES — Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Hopkins, MN. Short-term rental units (defined as dwelling units offered to transient guests for less than 30 days, such as Airbnb or VRBO properties) are permitted in any Neighborhood zoning district, subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit. Properties must comply with both city and county licensing requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Hopkins?

Hopkins hosts earn a median $32,646/year with $157 ADR and 76% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $43,223+ per year.

See the full Hopkins market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Hopkins

Step 1: Zoning Compliance

Confirm your property is located in a Neighborhood zoning district
Apply for a conditional use permit with the City of Hopkins
Ensure your property is not located on a lot with an accessory dwelling unit (prohibited)

Step 2: Licensing Requirements

Obtain an annual rental license from the City of Hopkins
Secure a Lodging License from Hennepin County (if applicable)
Complete pre-rental inspection requirements

Step 3: Operational Compliance

Establish maximum occupancy limits (6 adults plus dependent children)
Implement guest registration system
Include required lease provisions
Maintain property in residential character

Step 4: Ongoing Requirements

Renew rental license annually by December 31
Complete routine rental inspections
Maintain guest register for city inspection
Ensure compliance with all local ordinances

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Hopkins Requirements

1. Rental License (Mandatory)

Annual license required for all premises rented in whole or part as dwelling units
License period: January 1 - December 31
Must be renewed before December 31 annually
Renewal fees double when 30+ days past due
Application required for new rentals and renewals

2. Pre-Rental Inspection (New Licenses)

Required inspection before receiving new rental license
Fee schedule matches routine rental inspection requirements
Complete Rental Inspection Request Form after applying and paying for license

3. Conditional Use Permit

Required for short-term rentals in Neighborhood zoning districts
Application submitted through city planning department
Subject to city council approval process

Hennepin County Requirements

4. Lodging License

Short-term rentals may require lodging license from Hennepin County
Contact county for specific requirements and application process
Business licenses for food, beverage, and lodging operations

Operational Requirements

5. Criminal Background Checks

Mandatory for all prospective tenants
Must include:
- Minnesota statewide criminal history check (3+ years)
- Previous state residence check (if moving directly)
- Previous states residence check (3 years if not MN resident 3+ years)
- Seven-county metro area check (3+ years, all conviction types)

6. Lease Provisions

All tenant leases must include crime-free drug-free provisions
Must prohibit disorderly behavior as defined in City Code Section 20-273
Example lease addendum available from city

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Hopkins Regulations (Section 102-580(h))

Operational Limits:

Maximum 6 adults and their dependent children per unit
Guest stays must be less than 30 days
Property must maintain residential character

Prohibited Activities:

Special events attracting additional individuals
External structural alterations that change residential character
Construction of parking lots
Installation of commercial-like exterior lighting
Installation of commercial signage
STR operations on lots with accessory dwelling units

Record-Keeping Requirements:

Must maintain register of all short-term rental guests
Register must be made available to city upon request
Include guest names, dates of stay, and contact information

Enforcement:

Fine for renting without license: $500
Violation of City Code Article III Section 20-149

License Fees (Effective January 1, 2025)

Buildings with 3+ Units:

$100 per building + $10 per unit

Duplexes and Double Bungalows:

One unit rented: $110
Both units rented: $120

Single Family Units (Including Condos/Townhouses):

$100 per unit

State-Level Regulations (Minnesota)

Minnesota state law does not impose specific restrictions on short-term rentals
Local municipalities retain authority to regulate STRs
State health and safety codes apply to all rental properties
Sales tax and lodging tax obligations may apply

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Hopkins - Primary Contacts

General City Information:

Phone: 952-935-8474
Fax: 952-935-1834
TTY: 952-548-8210
Address: 1010 1st Street South, Hopkins, MN 55343

Rental Licensing:

Courtney Pearsall, Planning and Economic Development Administrative Assistant
Email: cpearsall@hopkinsmn.com
Phone: 952-548-6341
Application portal: Online through RevTrak system

Planning/Zoning:

Sam Gallagher, Associate Planner
Email: sgallagher@hopkinsmn.com
Phone: 952-548-6339
Handles conditional use permit applications

Building/Rental Inspections:

Chris Kearney, Building Official
Email: ckearney@hopkinsmn.com
Phone: 952-548-6321

Program Administration:

Casey Casella, Assistant City Manager
Email: ccasella@hopkinsmn.com
Phone: 952-548-6303

Hennepin County

Website: www.hennepin.us
Phone: See county website for specific department contact
Handles lodging licenses and permits
Food, beverage, and lodging licensing

Source Links

City of Hopkins Official Pages

City Code and Ordinances

County Resources

Hennepin County Lodging License Information

Application Forms and Documents

Third-Party Resources

Duplex Chick Metro Area STR Restrictions Overview (Note: Information from 2021, verify current status with city)

Online Systems

Important Note: Before making any investment decisions, verify all current regulations and requirements directly with the City of Hopkins, as ordinances and licensing requirements may change. The contact information provided will ensure you receive the most up-to-date guidance for your specific property and situation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Hopkins

Hopkins is a small, established suburb in Hennepin County, Minnesota, set just southwest of Minneapolis in the heart of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. With a population of roughly 19,000 residents, the city has the feel of a tight-knit community that retains a recognizable downtown core despite its proximity to a major metro. Hopkins is best known for its walkable Mainstreet district, an eclectic cluster of locally owned restaurants, breweries, and shops that has become one of the most distinctive neighborhood nodes in the western suburbs. It serves as a practical, low-key gateway to the broader Twin Cities region, with downtown Minneapolis located only about 8 miles to the northeast and easily reached by car, light rail, or bike trails.

A short drive or bike ride from Hopkins brings visitors to Lake Minnetonka, one of Minnesota's most famous recreational lakes. Stretching across several western suburbs, the lake offers boating, sailing, lakeside dining, and parkland access, and its eastern bays sit roughly five to ten miles west of the city. The lake's surrounding communities give Hopkins-based guests a classic Upper Midwest lake experience without requiring a long drive out of the metro area.

To the east, about ten miles away, Minnehaha Falls and Minnehaha Regional Park anchor a corridor of green space running along the Mississippi River. The 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and adjacent parkland attract millions of visitors a year and pair naturally with a stop at the Minnesota Veterans Home overlook or the riverfront trails that connect to downtown Minneapolis.

For a more curated outdoor experience, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, part of the University of Minnesota, lies roughly fifteen miles west of Hopkins in Chanhassen. More than 1,200 acres of gardens, native plant collections, and tree-lined walking paths make it a year-round draw for visitors who want a quieter, more contemplative alternative to the busier state parks. Closer in, the Hopkins Center for the Arts hosts rotating exhibits, classes, and performances that give the suburb its own modest cultural identity separate from the larger Minneapolis institutions just up the road.

Hopkins works well as a short-term rental base precisely because it sits between two very different draws. Guests can spend the morning wandering the shops and tasting rooms of downtown Hopkins, spend the afternoon on Lake Minnetonka or at the Arboretum, and still be in downtown Minneapolis within twenty minutes for dinner and a show. The combination of small-town character, reliable transit access to the Twin Cities, and a range of nearby natural and cultural attractions makes it a flexible, year-round destination for travelers who want suburban comfort without giving up the energy of a major metro.