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Mankato, MN

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STR Regulations for Mankato, Minnesota

Short-Term Rental Regulatory Guide for Mankato, MN (Blue Earth County Focus)

Overview: Are STRs allowed?

  • Yes—outside cities, short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Blue Earth County as an “Interim Use” with an Interim Use Permit (IUP). This includes properties in these zoning districts: Agriculture, Conservation, Rural Residence, Rural Townsite, Shoreland, and Urban Fringe Overlay. The County adopted STR standards in 2022 and required existing STRs to obtain an IUP by February 1, 2023, to continue operating. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/1578/Short-Term-Rental-Units]
  • Within the City of Mankato: The provided sources do not contain city-specific STR regulations. STR operations inside Mankato are not subject to the County’s Interim Use standards (the County’s rules explicitly apply outside cities). Treat this as a City of Mankato regulatory gap; you must contact the City of Mankato directly to determine if STRs are permitted, what permits or licenses are required, and any local conditions or standards. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/1578/Short-Term-Rental-Units; Mankato page offered but not provided]
  • State-level requirements: Minnesota treats STRs as lodging establishments with transient occupancy. You should expect Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) lodging licensing and Minnesota Department of Revenue (DOR) tax requirements to apply. The County’s ordinance directs applicants to contact MDH regarding lodging licenses per Minnesota Rules Chapter 4625. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]

How to start a short-term rental business in this market

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Specific regulations: City, County, and State

County (Blue Earth County) – Short-Term Rental Standards

City of Mankato – Regulatory status

  • No city-specific STR regulations were provided in the sources. Because the County’s standards explicitly do not apply inside cities, the legal status, permitting, zoning allowances, and operating standards within Mankato are not documented here. Investors must contact the City of Mankato directly for definitive requirements.

State of Minnesota – Regulatory baseline (applicability to STRs)

  • MDH Lodging License: Minnesota Rules Chapter 4625. The County ordinance requires STR applicants to contact MDH to determine whether a Lodging License is required based on occupancy, configuration, and lodging use. If required, maintain it annually. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]
  • State lodging taxes: Operators typically must register with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, collect applicable sales and lodging taxes, and remit on schedule. Contact DOR for registration, rates, and filing requirements. [Source: www.blueearthcountymn.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2230]

Contact information Blue Earth County Planning & Zoning (property and land use for STRs outside cities)

  • Blue Earth County Government Center
    • Address: 410 S. 5th St., Mankato, MN 56001
    • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3566, Mankato, MN 56002-3566
    • Phone: (507) 304-4251
    • Hours:

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Mankato?

Mankato hosts earn a median $31,274/year with $228 ADR and 54% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $39,813+ per year.

See the full Mankato market breakdown

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Mankato

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
5/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Mankato Market Analysis

Photos of Mankato

Overview of Mankato

Mankato is a mid-sized city in south-central Minnesota, situated primarily in Blue Earth County at the confluence of the Minnesota and Blue Earth rivers. With a population of roughly 44,000, it is the larger of the two anchor cities of the Mankato–North Mankato metropolitan area and serves as a regional hub for southern Minnesota, drawing students to Minnesota State University, Mankato and shoppers, healthcare patients, and outdoor enthusiasts from across the region. The city has a friendly college-town atmosphere layered onto a working river-town history, and it functions as a natural gateway to the scenic Minnesota River Valley. Mankato lies approximately 85 miles southwest of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, a drive of about an hour and a half via U.S. Highway 169.

Just a few miles west of downtown, Minneopa State Park is one of the area's marquee draws, offering rugged bluffs, a dramatic series of waterfalls, and a working bison range that visitors can drive through. The park spans several thousand acres and pairs well with a half-day visit that combines hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography, all within roughly 10 to 15 minutes of most Mankato lodging.

A short drive south of the city, Mount Kato is a well-known regional ski hill that converts in warmer months into a disc golf course and outdoor recreation area. In winter it draws families and college students for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, while the surrounding bluffs offer year-round views of the Minnesota River Valley, making it a consistent four-season draw only about 10 minutes from downtown Mankato.

Downtown Mankato itself has been steadily revitalized along the riverfront, with the Riverfront Park, the Minnesota River Trail, and a growing cluster of restaurants, breweries, and local shops. Nearby, the Hubbard House preserves a 1860s-era limestone home and offers a window into pioneer-era life in the Minnesota River Valley, while the Dakota War of 1862 historical sites around the city give visitors a deeper understanding of the region's complex past. The area's combination of riverfront trails, public art, and walkable streets makes the downtown core an easy anchor for visitors who prefer strolling to driving.

Mankato makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it pairs small-city convenience with genuine outdoor amenities and a steady calendar of university, athletic, and regional events. Travelers can spend a morning on the bison range, an afternoon wandering the riverfront, and an evening at a downtown restaurant, all without venturing far from their rental. Its proximity to the Twin Cities, its strong year-round visitor flow driven by the university and outdoor recreation, and its walkable core give property owners a flexible market that performs across seasons.

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