Willmar, Minnesota Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Willmar, MN and Kandiyohi County. The city operates under a comprehensive rental housing regulatory framework that applies to all rental units, including short-term rentals. While Willmar does not have a separate short-term rental ordinance, properties operated as STRs must comply with the city's general rental housing licensing and maintenance requirements. Kandiyohi County indicates that STRs are legal and regulated by local zoning ordinances, with properties ranging from cabins in rural areas to homes near the numerous lakes that attract tourists.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Willmar?

Willmar hosts earn a median $24,670/year with $245 ADR and 53% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $45,602+ per year.

See the full Willmar market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Willmar

Starting an STR in Willmar requires following the city's rental housing licensing process while ensuring your property meets zoning requirements and safety standards. Here's the step-by-step approach:

Step 1: Verify Zoning Compliance

Before proceeding with licensing, confirm your property is zoned appropriately for STR use. Contact Kandiyohi County Planning & Zoning Department to verify zoning requirements, as STRs are subject to local zoning ordinances.

Step 2: Apply for Operating License

Under Willmar Municipal Code Section 12.01, no person shall operate a rental unit unless they hold a current, unrevoked operating license issued by the Appropriate Authority. This requirement applies to short-term rentals operating as "rental housing units."

Step 3: Property Inspection and Compliance

Your property must pass inspection to ensure it meets all applicable requirements of the Rental Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance, including:

Basic equipment and facilities standards
Light and ventilation requirements
Thermal standards
Safety and sanitation requirements
Maximum density and space requirements

Step 4: License Issuance and Renewal

Once approved, your license must be displayed prominently within the rental unit. Licenses expire annually and must be renewed within 60 days prior to expiration.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Licensing Requirements

Operating License (Required)

Application Form: Must be completed on forms provided by the Appropriate Authority
License Fee: Payment required per schedule included in the systematic inspection plan
Agent Designation: Required for non-resident property owners living outside Kandiyohi County
Resident Agent: Required when resident applicant is absent from Willmar for 30+ days

Documentation Requirements

For Non-Resident Property Owners:

Written designation of local agent for service of notice and process
Agent must reside in Kandiyohi County

For Resident Property Owners:

Written designation of agent when absent from Willmar for 30+ days
Agent may be any person residing in Kandiyohi County or the Appropriate Authority

For License Transfer:

Written notice to Appropriate Authority within 15 working days of transfer
Include name and address of successor
Failure to notify requires re-registration and appropriate fees

Required Standards Compliance

Your STR must comply with detailed standards covering:

Basic Equipment and Facilities (Section IV):

Kitchen with sink, cabinets, cooking device, refrigeration
Flush water closet and lavatory sink
Bathtub or shower
Two means of egress
Functioning locking devices on exterior doors

Light and Ventilation (Section V):

Window or skylight facing outdoors in habitable rooms
Openable windows or adequate ventilation systems
Electric service and outlets meeting minimum standards

Thermal Standards (Section VI):

Heating equipment capable of maintaining 68°F
Proper ventilation and safety standards for heating devices

Safety and Sanitation (Section VII):

Structural soundness and weather-tight conditions
Rat-proof and insect-proof construction
Proper plumbing and electrical installation

Maximum Density (Section VIII):

150 square feet for first occupant + 100 square feet per additional occupant
Minimum ceiling height requirements
Adequate bathroom access without passing through bedrooms

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Willmar Requirements

Licensing and Operations:

Annual operating license required for all rental units
License must be displayed prominently in the rental unit
Renewal required within 60 days of expiration
Property inspection required before license issuance
Transfer notification required within 15 working days

Occupancy Standards:

Maximum occupancy based on square footage calculations
Minimum ceiling height requirements
Proper egress requirements for all sleeping areas
No access to bathrooms through bedrooms

Safety and Health Standards:

Lead-free paint requirements
Smoke detector and fire safety equipment compliance
Pest control and extermination responsibilities
Proper sanitation and waste disposal requirements

Inspection Authority:

Appropriate Authority authorized to inspect between 8 AM - 5 PM
Response to complaints and systematic inspection programs
Court orders available for access refusals
Confidentiality requirements for inspection information

Kandiyohi County Zoning Context

County-Level Regulations:

STRs are regulated by local zoning ordinances
Properties include cabins in rural settings and lakeside homes
Tourism-focused market with fishing, boating, and hiking appeal
Planning & Zoning Department oversees compliance

Appeals and Enforcement

Two-Tiered Appeals Process:

Step 1 - Administrative Conference:

Application within 14 days of notice/order
Conference with Director of Planning and Development Services
Summary and decision become part of public record

Step 2 - Community Development Committee:

Application within 14 days of Step 1 decision
Written notice 7 days prior to hearing
Committee recommends action to City Council
Extensions up to 12 months available with specific findings
Variances possible with hardship demonstration

Housing Code Appeals Board Alternative:

Board consists of 7 members including HRA Commissioner, building trades representative, realtor representative, private landlord, tenant, and health care representative
Application within 21 days of notice/order
Hearing within 10 days of application
Majority vote can sustain, modify, or withdraw notices/orders

Enforcement Actions

License Suspension and Revocation:

21 days to request reconsideration before revocation
Reinspection available after violations corrected
Failure to correct violations leads to license suspension

Violation Penalties:

Penalties established per systematic inspection plan
Begins after reasonable consideration period expires
Civil penalties for obstructing repairs or inspections

Contact Information

City of Willmar - Planning & Development Services

Appropriate Authority for Licensing and Enforcement

Phone: (320) 235-8311 (City Hall main number)
Address: City Hall, 333 6thth Street SW, Willmar, MN 56201
Director: Director of Planning and Development Services

Kandiyohi County - Planning & Zoning

County-Level Zoning and STR Regulation

Website: Kandiyohi County Planning & Zoning
Address: Kandiyohi County Courthouse, 220 4th Street SW, Willmar, MN 56201

City Clerk's Office

For accessing full ordinance text

Phone: (320) 235-8311
Location: City Hall, 333 6thth Street SW, Willmar, MN 56201

Source Links

City of Willmar Official Documents:

Willmar Rental Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance

Kandiyohi County Resources:

Additional Resources:

Lodge Compliance - Kandiyohi County STR Information

Important Note for STR Investors: While this guide provides comprehensive information about Willmar's rental housing requirements, you should verify specific zoning compliance with Kandiyohi County Planning & Zoning before beginning operations. The absence of a specific short-term rental ordinance means your property will be regulated under the general rental housing framework, which requires ongoing compliance with all maintenance, safety, and operational standards outlined in the city's comprehensive ordinance.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Willmar

Willmar is a city of roughly 19,000 people serving as the county seat of Kandiyohi County in the central part of Minnesota, in a region often described as the "Heart of the Lakes." The town has a quiet, hard-working character shaped by its roots as an agricultural and railroad hub, and today it functions as a regional center for healthcare, retail, and services for the surrounding farming communities. It carries a distinct Scandinavian heritage, visible in local festivals and civic life, and is best known for being surrounded by an unusually dense network of lakes and wetlands. Willmar sits about 100 miles west-southwest of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, the nearest major metro area, with a typical drive of around two hours via U.S. Highway 12 and Interstate 94.

A central feature of life in Willmar is Foot Lake, a small but scenic body of water located right within the city limits. The lake is wrapped by a walking and biking path, public parks, and a bandshell that hosts outdoor concerts in the warmer months, making it an easy draw for short-term rental guests who want a relaxing stroll or a picnic without leaving town. Because of its central location and accessibility, Foot Lake is the kind of amenity that appeals to visiting families, traveling nurses, and conference attendees looking for a quiet place to unwind after a busy day.

Just a short drive north of Willmar, in the neighboring community of Spicer, lies [Green Lake](en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lake_(Kandiyohi_County,_Minnesota), one of the larger and most popular recreational lakes in the region. Green Lake offers boating, fishing, swimming, and lakeside dining, and it draws visitors from across the upper Midwest during the summer. The drive from Willmar to the Green Lake shoreline takes only about ten to fifteen minutes, which makes it easy for short-term rental guests to enjoy a full day on the water and still return to the city for dinner. Together with the dozens of other smaller lakes scattered through Kandiyohi County, it anchors Willmar's identity as a gateway to Minnesota lake country.

The broader area around Willmar also rewards travelers who enjoy prairie landscapes and wildlife viewing. The surrounding countryside sits within the larger Prairie Pothole Region, an internationally important area for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, and travelers passing through in spring and fall often see herons, pelicans, and a wide variety of ducks on the wetlands just outside town. This combination of accessible urban comforts, walkable in-town parks, and a surrounding landscape full of water and wildlife is part of what gives Willmar its steady, year-round appeal.

For short-term rental investors and operators, Willmar offers a compelling mix of affordability and year-round demand drivers. Its location midway between the Twin Cities and the South Dakota border gives it a convenient stopping-off character for road-trippers, while the regional healthcare facilities, the steady flow of lake-goers in summer, and the area's hunting and fishing traditions in the cooler months help support occupancy beyond the peak travel season. With its small-city amenities, deep roots in Minnesota lake culture, and easy access to both nature and a major metro area, Willmar is a practical and versatile base for short-term rental hosting.