Minnetonka, Minnesota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview — Are STRs allowed in Minnetonka?

Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Minnetonka. As of Feb. 3, 2024, all residential rentals (including short- and long-term rentals) must be registered annually with the City of Minnetonka, with no cost to register and no inspection required at registration. The program includes short-term rentals and requires both a rental manager designation and posting of the registration certificate in the unit or common area. State law limits municipal authority and prohibits outright bans on STRs. [Source]

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Minnetonka?

Minnetonka hosts earn a median $41,245/year with $325 ADR and 59% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $59,926+ per year.

See the full Minnetonka market breakdown

How to Start an STR Business in Minnetonka

Confirm zoning and property type: Single-family dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, multi-family buildings, and apartment buildings are all subject to the registration requirement. If your property is larger than a single-family home (e.g., a true multi-family structure), contact the city to confirm any additional zoning considerations. [Source]
Designate a rental manager: Every residential rental unit must have an appointed rental manager; the owner may serve as the manager. Keep current contact details on file. [Source]
Complete annual registration: Use the city’s online registration portal (or submit a printed application). The registration is free and generates a certificate with a unique registration number. Renew annually; numbers persist as long as the registration stays active. [Source]
Post the certificate: Provide a copy to each tenant and visibly post the Certificate of Registration in the unit (or a common area for larger properties). [Source]
Maintain compliance: Retain the registration certificate, keep contact information current, renew on time, and ensure the property is operated in accordance with local code, fire/police guidance, and general landlord-tenant statutes. [Source]

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Annual rental registration (no fee): Include the owner’s and manager’s contact information, property address, and unit identification where applicable (e.g., for townhomes/condos or separate units in multi-family buildings). Registration numbers are assigned for renewals. [Source]
Certificate of Registration: Issued upon registration; must be provided to tenants and posted in the unit or common area. [Source]
Local guidelines and landlord resources: The city provides a Landlord Resource Guide and a direct contact person for program questions. [Source]
State-level tenant-landlord guidance: The Minnesota Attorney General’s Landlord-Tenant Rights and Responsibilities Handbook is a practical reference. [Source]

Important notes on process and timing:

Online application is recommended for simplicity (desktop, tablet, or phone). A printed version is available for those without internet access; public computers at City Hall can also be used. [Source]
Renewal reminders are sent via email. You can renew anytime before the certificate’s expiration date. [Source]
All properties must be registered by Feb. 3, 2025 (with a one-year leniency period from the ordinance’s effective date). [Source]

City, County, and State Regulations

City of Minnetonka — Rental Registration (including STRs)

Ordinance: Rental Registration (effective Feb. 3, 2024), codified at Minnetonka City Code, Chapter 5, Section 530. [Source]
Annual registration required for all residential rentals (single-family, owner-occupied units with rented rooms, duplex, triplex, fourplex, townhomes, group homes with >6 residents, multi-family buildings, apartment buildings), including short-term rentals. [Source]
Rental manager designation required for all residential rental units. [Source]
Certificate of Registration must be posted in the unit (or common area for larger properties) and provided to tenants. [Source]
Registration is free; no inspection is required to complete registration. [Source]
Properties must be registered by Feb. 3, 2025. [Source]

Property types exempt from registration include:

Owner-occupied units with no rented rooms.
Minnesota Department of Health-licensed rest homes; convalescent care facilities.
Group homes with six or fewer residents; licensed care facilities; nursing homes.
Hotels and motels. [Source]

When to contact the city:

To confirm zoning or additional requirements for properties larger than single-family homes.
To clarify registration for townhomes/condos or individual units in multi-family buildings.
For questions about the registration form, renewal process, or ordinance specifics. [Source]

Hennepin County

No separate county-level STR licensing identified in the sources. The county does offer tenant resources (e.g., Tenant Resource Center, emergency rental assistance) that can be relevant to overall tenant relations and housing stability, but these are not licensing requirements for STR operators. [Source]

State of Minnesota — Legal Context for STRs

Minnesota law prevents municipalities from imposing a total ban on short-term rentals; cities may regulate safety standards, occupancy limits, and require registration numbers to be displayed on listings. In practice, this means Minnetonka can manage STRs (via the rental registration ordinance), but cannot outlaw them outright. Investors should verify current statutory text at the Minnesota Legislature’s website for any updates. [Source]
State-level guidance for landlords and tenants is available via the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. [Source]

Contact Information (Local Authority)

Kendyl Larson
- Phone: 952-939-8267
- Email: klarson@minnetonkamn.gov
- City of Minnetonka — Community Development/Code Enforcement
- Address: 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55345 [Source]

Links to Source Pages (Direct References)

Renters and Landlords — City of Minnetonka (Rental Registration Ordinance, FAQs, Process)
- www.minnetonkamn.gov/our-city/housing/renters-and-landlords
Minnetonka City Code (Chapter 5, Section 530 — Rental Registration)
- codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/minnetonka/latest/minnetonka_mn/0-0-0-31175
Rental Registration Online Application Portal
- survey123.arcgis.com/share/d21ef2ab3fec41fe849cf7f1f78755ba
Landlord Resource Guide (City of Minnetonka)
- www.minnetonkamn.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/13997/638440271441900000
Minnesota Attorney General — Landlord-Tenant Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
- www.ag.state.mn.us/brochures/publandlordtenants.pdf
Rental Housing Dashboard (City of Minnetonka)
- www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/a2608798f21e4ba6ae54713ccd83d090
Tenant and Landlord Resources — Hennepin County
- www.trchennepin.com/
Hennepin County — Emergency Rental Assistance
- www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/emergency-assistance
Wayzata article with Minnesota statutory context (STRs cannot be banned outright by cities)
- wayzata.com/2025/08/04/wayzata-council-to-revisit-short-term-rental-rules-amid-neighborhood-tension-and-legal-limits-in-workshop/

Practical Checklist for Minnetonka STRs

Confirm property type and zoning (call the city if larger than single-family).
Designate a rental manager (owner may serve).
Register the property online (free) and obtain the Certificate of Registration.
Post the certificate and provide a copy to tenants.
Maintain annual renewals; keep contact information current.
Use the Landlord Resource Guide and Attorney General’s handbook to align with state/local expectations.
Engage Hennepin County resources when addressing tenant stability and support needs.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Minnetonka

Minnetonka is a well-established southwestern suburb of Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota, with a population of roughly 53,000 residents. Set among rolling hills, mature woodlands, and a chain of glacial lakes, the city has a quiet, well-kept residential character that feels a world away from urban congestion while still being a short commute from the Twin Cities' cultural core. Minnetonka is best known as a gateway to Lake Minnetonka, the enormous and storied recreational lake that gives the city its name, and it sits about 12 miles west-southwest of downtown Minneapolis, easily reached via Interstate 394 and U.S. Highway 12.

Lake Minnetonka is the dominant draw for visitors, and the city shares more than 14 miles of shoreline with this beloved Upper Midwest playground. The lake covers roughly 14,000 acres and is dotted with bays, inlets, and small towns that invite boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and lakeside dining in warmer months and ice fishing and skating in winter. Public launches and marinas are a short drive from most of the city, and the surrounding communities of Wayzata, Excelsior, and Tonka Bay offer charming waterfront main streets within about 10 to 20 minutes of central Minnetonka.

For outdoor recreation closer to home, the city maintains an extensive network of parks and trails, including the roughly 6,400-acre Minnetonka Regional Park complex and the paved Luce Line Trail, which cuts through the area and connects cyclists, walkers, and joggers to neighboring suburbs. These green spaces give visitors an easy way to enjoy the area's wooded terrain without venturing far from their rental, and they pair well with the city's reputation for tree-lined neighborhoods and quiet, low-traffic streets.

A short drive south leads to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen, about 10 minutes away, where more than 1,200 acres of gardens, native prairie, and plant collections offer a year-round botanical experience. Heading east, the full breadth of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro is within easy reach: downtown Minneapolis and the Walker Art Center are about 20 minutes away, the Mall of America and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport can be reached in roughly 25 minutes, and family-friendly destinations like the Minnesota Zoo and Valleyfair amusement park in nearby Shakopee are within a half-hour drive.

Minnetonka makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it blends the tranquility of a lakeside suburb with quick, predictable access to the Twin Cities' biggest attractions. Guests can spend mornings on Lake Minnetonka, afternoons wandering arboretum gardens or strolling a historic downtown like Excelsior, and evenings back in a quiet residential setting — a combination that appeals to families, business travelers, and weekend visitors looking to experience Minnesota without the pace of a downtown stay.