| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | City of Rochester lodging tax: 7% (imposed since 1971); City local sales and use tax: 0.75%; Minnesota state sales tax: 6.875%; combined effective rat |
| Night / Day Cap | Maximum 30-day rental period (STR defined as dwelling rented for less than 30 days); no annual cap on total rental days found in available sources |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum stay specified; STR defined as rental for fewer than 30 consecutive days |
| Permit Fee | STR license fee per City of Rochester Fee Schedule (see 2025 Fee Schedule at https://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/finance/current-fee-schedule); no |
| Penalties | Fines imposed for violations of safety codes, parking, trash, or noise rules; license revocation possible for repeated violations |
| Occupancy Limit | Hosts must limit guest occupancy; guest registry must be maintained; specific numeric limits per unit type set by the Rental Housing Code and Zoning O |
Short-term rental operations in Rochester, Minnesota are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are STR license fee per City of Rochester Fee Schedule (see 2025 Fee Schedule at https://www.rochestermn.
Short-term rental operators in Rochester should be aware of these tax obligations: City of Rochester lodging tax: 7% (imposed since 1971); City local sales and use tax: 0.75%; Minnesota state sales tax: 6.875%; combined effective rate on lodging approximately 7.375%+ depending on applicable surcharges.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Rochester include: Rental day cap: Maximum 30-day rental period (STR defined as dwelling rented for less than 30 days); no annual cap on total rental days . Occupancy limit: Hosts must limit guest occupancy; guest registry must be maintained; specific numeric limits per unit type set by the Re. Minimum stay: No minimum stay specified; STR defined as rental for fewer than 30 consecutive days.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Rochester: Applications reviewed by Community Development for conformance to the Rental Housing Code and Zoning Ordinance; condominium buildings: maximum 2 STR units per building without requiring building code . Density rules: Two condominium units per building permitted as STRs without reclassification; any additional units in a condo building require a building code reclas.
Hosts who fail to comply with Rochester's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Fines imposed for violations of safety codes, parking, trash, or noise rules; license revocation possible for repeated violations.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Rochester: Hosts must maintain a guest registry; platforms may collect and remit applicable state and local taxes; smoke and carbon monoxide detectors required; compliance with parking, trash, and noise rules re.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Rochester with proper registration and permits. Ordinance adopted September 20, 2021. Rochester used a phased 6-month outreach approach after adoption rather than immediate fines. Non-owner-occupied STRs require a full STR license and compliant ins
Yes. Rochester requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Rochester are subject to the following tax obligations: City of Rochester lodging tax: 7% (imposed since 1971); City local sales and use tax: 0.75%; Minnesota state sales tax: 6.875%; combined effective rate on lodging approximately 7.375%+ depending on applicable surcharges.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Rochester may face enforcement. Fines imposed for violations of safety codes, parking, trash, or noise rules; license revocation possible for repeated violations.
Rochester's STR demand is heavily driven by the Mayo Clinic (medical visits, conferences). The city distinguishes between owner-occupied (registration) and non-owner-occupied (full license + inspection) STRs. Two-unit condo cap per building is a notable density restriction. City lodging tax of 7% has been in place since 1971.
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