LawfulStay
← Back to Database

Brainerd

Minnesota · United States
Pending
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Brainerd Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusProposed / pending
Permit / License RequiredYes
Tax RateMinnesota state sales tax 6.875% on rentals under 30 days; local lodging tax may apply via Crow Wing County.
Permit FeeAnnual rental housing license fee required per Ordinance 1492 (fee schedule set by city; exact STR-specific fee TBD pending final ordinance). State MD
PenaltiesOperating a rental without a license constitutes an unlicensed rental dwelling under City Code §425. Penalties include license revocation and code-vio
Browse all 10 STR regulations in Minnesota → Browse all 535 STR regulations in United States →

Brainerd Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Brainerd Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental regulations in Brainerd, Minnesota are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Annual rental housing license fee required per Ordinance 1492 (fee schedule set by city; exact STR-s.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Brainerd

Short-term rental operators in Brainerd should be aware of these tax obligations: Minnesota state sales tax 6.875% on rentals under 30 days; local lodging tax may apply via Crow Wing County..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Brainerd

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Brainerd: Proposed ordinance (as of Feb 2024) would ban STRs in the downtown district. City-wide cap of 20 STRs was proposed but the ordinance was voted down in Feb 2024 and sent back to the Planning Commission. Density rules: Proposed (not yet enacted) city-wide cap of 20 STRs and limit of 1 STR per individual owner. These provisions were rejected in Feb 2024 and remain und.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Brainerd

Hosts who fail to comply with Brainerd's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Operating a rental without a license constitutes an unlicensed rental dwelling under City Code §425. Penalties include license revocation and code-violation citations..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Pending
License / Registration
Yes
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
Annual rental housing license fee required per Ordinance 1492 (fee schedule set by city; exact STR-specific fee TBD pending final ordinance). State MDH lodging license also required.
Tax Rate
Minnesota state sales tax 6.875% on rentals under 30 days; local lodging tax may apply via Crow Wing County.
Zoning Restrictions
Proposed ordinance (as of Feb 2024) would ban STRs in the downtown district. City-wide cap of 20 STRs was proposed but the ordinance was voted down in Feb 2024 and sent back to the Planning Commission for revision.
Density Rules
Proposed (not yet enacted) city-wide cap of 20 STRs and limit of 1 STR per individual owner. These provisions were rejected in Feb 2024 and remain under review.
Compliance Notes
The City of Brainerd has an existing Rental Housing Maintenance Code (City Code §425) requiring all rental housing to be licensed and inspected annually. A dedicated STR ordinance was proposed by the Planning Commission in Nov 2023, sent back for revision by City Council in Feb 2024 after a 3-3 vote with mayor casting the deciding 'no.' As of the latest available information (Feb 2024), no standalone STR ordinance has been enacted. The city's official website lists a small number of 'valid short-term rental' contacts, suggesting informal licensing under the existing rental housing code. Crow Wing County's STR ordinance (passed Jan 3, 2023) applies outside organized municipalities; Brainerd as an organized city manages its own STR regulation.
Effective Date
No dedicated STR ordinance effective as of 2026-07-29. Rental Housing Code (§425, last updated Ord. 1578 – 2025) applies to all rentals.
Key Notes
A proposed ordinance capping STRs at 20 city-wide and 1 per owner, and banning them downtown, was rejected Feb 20, 2024 and returned to Planning Commission. Until a new ordinance passes, STRs must hold a standard rental housing license and comply with City Code §425. MDH license is also required under Minnesota state law.
Penalties
Operating a rental without a license constitutes an unlicensed rental dwelling under City Code §425. Penalties include license revocation and code-violation citations.
Additional Context
The City of Brainerd is experiencing a housing shortage, which has been the primary driver for proposed STR restrictions. No final STR-specific ordinance was confirmed passed as of the research date. Operators should contact the Brainerd Housing Inspector at 218-828-2307 for current status.
Sources
📋 Apply / Register with the Official Authority

Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.

Official Source ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Brainerd?

Short-term rental regulations in Brainerd are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. The City of Brainerd has an existing Rental Housing Maintenance Code (City Code §425) requiring all rental housing to be licensed and inspected annually. A dedicated STR ordinance was proposed by the

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Brainerd?

Yes. Brainerd requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Brainerd?

Short-term rental hosts in Brainerd are subject to the following tax obligations: Minnesota state sales tax 6.875% on rentals under 30 days; local lodging tax may apply via Crow Wing County..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Brainerd?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Brainerd may face enforcement. Operating a rental without a license constitutes an unlicensed rental dwelling under City Code §425. Penalties include license revocation and code-violation citations..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Brainerd?

A proposed ordinance capping STRs at 20 city-wide and 1 per owner, and banning them downtown, was rejected Feb 20, 2024 and returned to Planning Commission. Until a new ordinance passes, STRs must hold a standard rental housing license and comply with City Code §425. MDH license is also required under Minnesota state law.

Search 1,026+ STR Jurisdictions

LawfulStay tracks STR regulations across 1,026+ cities & countries on 6 continents, updated daily.

View in Full Database →