Eviction in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul), Minnesota
Where eviction cases are filed in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul)
- Eviction court
- Dakota County District Court (First Judicial District) — District Court (Minnesota) Court page
- Filing fee
- $325 to file an eviction action ($310 base + $15 law library); $80 for rent escrow, lockout or emergency tenant remedies actions ($65 + $15) Minnesota Judicial Branch District Court Fees - Dakota County, Housing
- Notice before filing (state law)
- Before filing an eviction for nonpayment of rent (residential), the landlord must deliver a written notice giving the tenant 14 days to pay. The notice must state the total due, an itemized accounting (rent, late fees, other charges), who is authorized to receive payment and where, and required statements about legal help and rental assistance. Delivery is personal or by first-class mail to the rental address. Minnesota rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,709/month HUD
- Renter households
- 43,687 (25% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23
Where eviction cases are filed in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul)
Eviction cases in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul) are heard by the Dakota County District Court (First Judicial District) (District Court (Minnesota)).
- Dakota County Judicial Center — 1560 W. Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033; (651) 377-7180 · website
- Dakota County Western Service Center — 14955 Galaxie Ave. West, Apple Valley, MN 55124; (952) 247-7099 · website
- Dakota County Northern Service Center — 1 West Mendota Rd., Ste. 140, West St. Paul, MN 55118; (651) 377-7190 · website
Court eviction page · Search court records · Self-help center
The district court has original jurisdiction over eviction actions (Minn. Stat. ch. 504B) in Dakota County. There are three court locations; check your summons for the hearing location. Daily calendar: https://mncourtsdocs.courts.state.mn.us/Documents/Calendars/1/dakota/hastings/dailyCalendar.pdf
How much it costs to file an eviction in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul)
$325 to file an eviction action ($310 base + $15 law library); $80 for rent escrow, lockout or emergency tenant remedies actions ($65 + $15)
Fees can be reduced or waived if you cannot afford them.
Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch District Court Fees - Dakota County, Housing
The Minnesota eviction process
Minnesota state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul):
- Notice: for nonpayment of rent, a 14-day written pre-filing notice (§ 504B.321, subd. 1a); for holdover after a periodic tenancy ends, a proper written notice to quit; for non-financial lease breach, generally no notice unless the lease requires one
- File a complaint in district court, attaching the lease, any notices, and an itemized accounting in nonpayment cases (§ 504B.321)
- Serve the summons and complaint at least 7 days before the hearing by someone other than the landlord. Mail-and-post service is allowed only after at least 2 personal service attempts on different days, one between 6 and 10 p.m. Electronic notice of the hearing is also required if the parties normally communicate electronically (§ 504B.332)
- Initial hearing 7 to 14 days after the summons is issued (5 to 7 days for expedited cases involving illegal activity, serious endangerment, or, from Aug. 1, 2026, assault on the landlord or staff); if the case doesn't settle, trial is scheduled and either party may request a jury
- Judgment: if the landlord wins, the court immediately issues a writ of recovery of premises and order to vacate. The court must stay the writ for a reasonable period of up to 7 days, except in illegal-activity cases (§ 504B.171), cases where the tenant seriously endangers others' safety or intentionally and seriously damages property, or after a default judgment (§ 504B.345, subd. 1(d))
- In nonpayment cases, the tenant may 'pay and stay' any time before the landlord gets possession by paying rent owed, interest, court costs, and attorney fees (capped at $5) (§ 504B.291)
- A law enforcement officer serves the writ; the tenant has 24 hours to leave, after which the officer may remove the tenant. The landlord must inventory and store left-behind property for 28 days (§ 504B.365)
Full Minnesota eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,242 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,405 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,709 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,262 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,531 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul): $1,548/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified.
Other Minnesota counties
Related
- Minnesota landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Minnesota
- Minnesota eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Minnesota (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul)?
What is the fair market rent in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul)?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.