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1. What is a Short-Term Rental Unit?

A Short-Term Rental Unit means any home, cabin, condominium or similar building that is advertised as, or held out to be, a place where sleeping quarters are furnished to the public on a nightly, weekly, or for less than a 30-day period and is not a bed and breakfast, resort, hotel or motel, or other permitted venue as determined by the County. Advertising a promotion of short-term rentals commonly occurs via AirBnB, BRBO, Expedia, Tripadvisor, etc. 

2. How are Short-Term Rentals regulated in Chisago County?

Short-Term Rentals throughout the incorporated (city) and unincorporated (township) areas of the County are required to obtain and maintain an annual Short-Term Rental License.

3. How do I obtain a Short-Term Rental License?

A Short-Term Rental Housing License Application (PDF) can be found on our website, obtained in person or mailed to you. Detailed requirements are outlined on the License Application and must be submitted and approved, prior to the rental of the property. Once the License Application, along with the required supplemental information and payment of fee are received, Chisago County will determine completeness of the application, and issue or deny the license. Licenses are required annually and include a license fee of $300.

4. How many people can visit and occupy a Short-Term Rental?

The overnight occupancy of a Short-Term Rental is limited to no more than two (2) persons per bedroom, plus two (2) additional persons, per principal building, OR no more than the subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) is designed to handle, whichever is less. Additional visitors, beyond the prescribed occupancy limit, are restricted from staying overnight.

Pursuant to the State Building Code, a sleeping quarter/bedroom is defined as being a minimum of 70 sq. ft. of habitable space that includes a minimum 4.5 sq. ft. clear opening egress window (must have a minimum of 20 inches in clear opening height and 20 inches in clear opening width and be no more than than 48 inches above the floor to the window sill). Additionally, a smoke detector must be present in each sleeping quarter/bedroom and a carbon monoxide detector must be within 10 feet of each sleeping quarter.

State septic system regulations identify minimum SSTS design capacity at 150 gallons per day, per bedroom. Tank only systems will require septic tanks large enough to handle daily flow rates per bedroom. To be licensed, each Short-Term Rental must present current septic system compliance inspection/certification records (conducted within the last three years).

Use of recreational vehicles, tents, RV’s, accessory structures or fish houses to obtain additional occupancy is prohibited.

5. What are the general license requirements of a Short-Term Rental in Chisago County?

• Short-Term Rental operations shall conform to all City and Township Ordinances, if so enacted, and may be further restricted or prohibited as so determined by a host City or Township.
• Proof of non-revocable property liability insurance coverage suitable for the commercial liability coverage of the Short-Term Rental operation during the term of the license. In satisfaction of this requirement a "Rental Endorsement" or other "occasional rental use" acknowledgement should be identified on the insurance document provided.
• Proof of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Lodging License and/or acknowledgement from the licensee and/or property owner identifying that a MDH Lodging Licensee review of the Short-Term Rental is currently in process. Check out the MDH website for information on Lodging in Minnesota. For contact information, please refer to the MDH "Local Book" (PDF) which is updated frequently with the contact information for all Lodging staff across the state. You will need to check out the information specific for Chisago County to find the assigned inspector’s contact information. The general number for MDH Metro that will offer direction on state lodging regulations can be reached by calling 651-201-4500.
• Proof of no past due property taxes applicable to the rental property.
• The Short-Term Rental must be connected to an approved Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS), septic system, with a valid Certificate of Compliance issued within the past three (3) years. Properties served by a central (city or community) sanitary sewer system are exempt from this requirement.
• Garbage, refuse, and recycling services are required. All refuse and garbage storage shall be kept in fly-tight, watertight rodent-proof containers and shall be stored within a building or screened and secured enclosure.
• The Owner is required to keep a guest registration report detailing the use of the home, identification of guests and guest vehicle license information for a period of one (1) year. The guest registration information of current rental occupants are to be kept open to the inspection of all state and local law enforcement officers in real-time at the property upon request.
• Enforcement of quiet hours, vehicle parking, and site use standards as outlined within the Ordinance.
• Provide and distribute property contact information to the county, renter(s), and each adjacent land owner as outlined within the Ordinance AND respond to any issue or complaint raised from said notified parties within three (3) hours of any such point of contact.
• Provide each renter, in a form that is readily retained and posted/deliverable on-site, information identifying maximum occupancy, emergency contacts (police, fire, hospital, and septic tank pumper), rental unit address, and operational guidelines and rules including proof of license and any special license obligations, conditions, and restrictions to abide by.
• Post the complete rental unit address inside the rental unit in a readily accessible and visible location and post the rental unit address outside in a manner that is clear and visible from the street.
• This ordinance does not ensure compliance with Minnesota State Fire Code or Minnesota Department of Health Rules. It is the responsibility of the Owner and Owner’s Authorized Agent to comply with all local, state and federal laws beyond that of this ordinance and to disclose such compliance to all renters during the time of occupancy.

6. What's the penalty for operating an unlicensed Short-Term Rental property or violating the County Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance or license provisions?

Violations of the County Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance are a misdemeanor. Additional penalties also include forfeiture of the applicable rental license. Misdemeanors are punishable by up to 90 days in jail, or a fine up to $1,000, or both.

7. How is the County managing and monitoring compliance with the new Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance?

The Chisago County Environmental Services Department originated and is charged with carrying out the directives of the Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance. Additionally, Chisago County has retained the services of a third party vendor, Host Compliance, to assist in successful and efficient Short-Term Rental identification, licensure, and monitoring.

8. What are the quiet hours and parking requirements for a Short-Term Rental?

Quite hours are between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. at which time indoor and/or outdoor activity audible from property boundaries must not be carried on beyond a general conversation level in a manner that disturbs the peace.

Parking shall be accommodated completely on-site in designated improved spaces. Parking and/or vehicle storage shall not occur in or on yards, boulevards, septic system, or other green spaces. Parking cannot restrict access by emergency vehicles or the traveling public and shall not impede the ingress or egress of the property.

9. How do I report a complaint about a Short-Term Rental property or report an unlicensed Short-Term Rental property?

If you are reporting an immediate health or safety related matter concerning a Short-Term Rental property or rental occupant activity, DIAL 9-1-1.

Chisago County has also developed a 24/7 call line (Hotline Number:  651-374-9393) to report non-emergency incidents involving short-term rental properties. Additionally, if you are an immediate neighbor you will have been provided direct Short-Term Rental Owner and/or Agent contact information pursuant to the County Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance and you are encouraged to contact the owner directly. If contacting the Owner and/or Agent is not practical, please dial the 24/7 call line (Hotline Number:  651-374-9393) with details of the complaint and violation(s). *Please note that complaints will be taken seriously and anyone who knowingly makes a false report of a violation of the Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance may be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.

You can also try to resolve your short-term rental related issue by visiting the Tips Page with Host Compliance.

10. Can I resolve a short-term rental related issue online?

Yes, you can try to resolve your short-term rental related issue by visiting the Tips Page with Host Compliance.

Their system will walk you thru the process. You simply need to choose what best describes the issue you are reporting from the following options:

• Unauthorized short-term rental
• Loud party
• Disturbances or trespassing issues
• Trash related problems
• Fraudulent owner occupation
• Violations of occupancy limits
• General noise issues
• Advertising violation
• Other types of nuisances.

11. How will the Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance be enforced?

The County Environmental Services Department will investigate all complaints of the Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance, notify the Owner within a reasonable period of time, and direct correction of the violations within a reasonable period of time. Any complaints substantiated and not resolved with the Owner will result in enforcement action. If compliance is not obtained with the time period specified, or if three (3) substantiated complaints occur within the license period, then the license will be subject to revocation and additional penalties.