Pine City, Minnesota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Pine City, MN and Pine County, MN, but require proper permits and licenses. Pine County regulates short-term rentals at the county level for unincorporated areas, while the City of Pine City has its own rental registration and inspection program for properties within city limits. Investors must comply with both county and city regulations depending on property location.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Pine City?

Pine City hosts earn a median $31,111/year with $259 ADR and 45% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $50,812+ per year.

See the full Pine City market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business

Step 1: Determine Jurisdiction

City Properties: Located within Pine City limits require city rental registration plus county STR permit if in shoreland areas
County Properties: Located in unincorporated Pine County require county STR permit only
Shoreland Properties: Properties near water bodies may require additional permits (see regulations below)

Step 2: Secure Required Licenses and Permits

For County Properties (Unincorporated Pine County):

Apply for Pine County Short-Term Rental Permit ($200 fee)
Obtain Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) License
If in shoreland area, apply for township permit first if required
Submit septic certificate of compliance or sanitary hook-up documentation

For City Properties (Within Pine City Limits):

Complete Pine City Rental Registration Application
Pay registration fees and schedule inspection
Obtain Pine County STR permit if property is in shoreland area
Obtain MDH License
Pass required safety inspections

Step 3: Operational Setup

Designate or become local property manager
Establish compliance systems for all regulations
Create guest information packets covering all rules
Set up booking systems and payment processing

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Pine County Requirements:

Short-Term Rental Permit: $200 application fee
Minnesota Department of Health License: Required before operating
Septic Certificate of Compliance or sanitary hook-up information
Interim Use Permit (for non-shoreland areas) - expires upon property conveyance
Shoreland Conditional/Interim Use Permit (for shoreland properties)

Pine City Requirements:

Rental Registration Application (annual renewal required)
Safety Inspection (frequency based on violation history)
Registration Fees:
- Single Family Unit: $50.00 (2024)
- Multiple Family Unit (2-4 units): $100.00 (2024)
- Apartment Building (5+ units): $250.00 (2024)
Inspection Fees:
- Single Unit: $100.00
- Multiple units: Varies by unit count
Late Registration Penalty: $150.00

Minnesota Department of Health:

New Construction Plan Review Application: $375 for lodgings with 25 or fewer rooms
Annual License Renewal: Required for ongoing operation

Specific Regulations

Pine County Short-Term Rental Regulations:

Quiet Hours:
- Sunday-Thursday: 9 PM - 7 AM
- Friday, Saturday, and holidays: 11 PM - 7 AM
Local Management: Owner must maintain local property manager or be available for guest inquiries and complaints
Occupancy Limits:
- Limited to septic system capacity
- Maximum of two guests per bedroom
Parking Restrictions: On-street parking prohibited
Recreational Vehicle Restrictions:
- Guest ATVs and snowmobiles not permitted
- No tents, campers, or similar devices allowed on property
- Each rental party limited to one motorized boat
Pet Policy: Up to two dogs allowed, must be leashed or in fenced area
Permit Status: Interim use permit expires upon property conveyance

Pine City Rental Property Requirements:

Registration Requirements:
- Annual registration renewal required by December 31st
- Must notify city within 5 business days of transfer of legal control
- Must notify city of changes to local manager/caretaker
Inspection Frequency (based on violations found):
- 0-2 violations: Every 3 years
- 3-4 violations: Every 2 years
- 5-6 violations: Every year
- 7+ violations: Every 6 months
Safety Requirements:
- Smoke detector maintenance responsibility on owner
- Compliance with fire codes and zoning regulations
- Electrical work restrictions for unlicensed homeowners

Shoreland-Specific Requirements:

Additional permits may be required from townships
Must obtain township permit first if required before applying for county permit
Fee waivers available if township requirements match county requirements
Department of Natural Resources approval required for ordinance changes

Contact Information

Pine County Planning and Zoning:

Address: 1610 Hwy 23 North, Sandstone, MN 55072
Phone: (320) 216-4220
Website: pinecountymn.gov/departments/planning_and_zoning/short_term_rentals.php
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Pine City Fire and Life Safety:

Contact: Adam Zemek, Fire and Life Safety Inspector
Phone: 320.591.0749
Email: azemek@pinecitygov.com

Pine City Administration:

Address: City Hall - 1015 Hillside Ave. SW, Ste. 2, Pine City, MN 55063-2147
Phone: 320.629.2575
Email: info@pinecitygov.com
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM

Minnesota Department of Health:

Licensing Information: Available through MDH website and renewal applications sent annually every fall

Township Contacts:

Contact specific township for shoreland permit requirements
Some townships require interim use permits with stricter requirements than county

Enforcement and Compliance

Important Enforcement Notes:

Pine County does not aggressively pursue violators
County depends on reports to law enforcement for illegal activities
Only one STR permit application received in the last six months of 2024
Estimated 600 potential STRs in the county
Nine complaints received in the last 12 months
26 letters mailed to current and potential permittees for compliance verification
MDH has limited availability for enforcement support

Source Links

Investment Considerations

Pine City represents a moderate-regulation market with reasonable compliance requirements but limited enforcement resources. The market shows strong performance potential with 46% average occupancy, $235 daily rate, and $18,663 monthly revenue. The regulatory framework is well-established but evolving, with recent ordinance tweaks indicating ongoing regulatory refinement. New investors should budget approximately $700-1,000 for initial permits and licensing fees, plus ongoing annual costs for renewals and inspections.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Pine City

Pine City is a small community in east-central Minnesota, serving as the county seat of Pine County. With a population of approximately 3,100 residents, it carries the laid-back character of a rural Minnesota town while functioning as a quiet hub for visitors exploring the St. Croix River valley and surrounding woodlands. The town sits along the Snake River and is best known as a gateway to the forested landscapes, lakes, and waterways of Pine County, an area popular with anglers, snowmobilers, and anyone seeking an easy escape into the North Woods. Pine City is located roughly 60 miles north of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, about an hour and fifteen minutes by car, making it an accessible weekend destination for Twin Cities residents.

A short drive north of town brings visitors to the North West Company Fur Post, a reconstructed early-19th-century fur trading post operated as a living history site by the Minnesota Historical Society. Set on the Snake River, the site interprets the early days of the North American fur trade and offers a glimpse of frontier life along the river routes that once connected Canada to the Upper Mississippi.

Just east of Pine City stretches Chengwatana State Forest, a large expanse of hardwood and pine woodland that offers hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and snowmobiling in winter. The forest's trails and the adjacent St. Croix River are major draws for outdoor enthusiasts looking to paddle, fish, or simply get away from it all.

Further north, St. Croix State Park ranks among Minnesota's largest state parks, covering tens of thousands of acres of forest along the St. Croix and Kettle rivers. About a 40-minute drive from Pine City, it is a popular spot for camping, canoeing, and wildlife watching across all four seasons.

With its mix of small-town character, riverfront setting, and proximity to some of Minnesota's most expansive public lands, Pine City offers short-term rental owners a market that caters to outdoorsy travelers, history buffs, and Twin Cities weekenders alike. The combination of year-round recreation and a manageable drive from the metro area makes it a practical base for visitors who want to experience the quieter, more natural side of Minnesota without straying too far from the city.