Eviction in Ramsey County (St. Paul), Minnesota

Where eviction cases are filed in Ramsey County (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 Ramsey County (St. Paul)

Eviction court: Ramsey County District Court - Housing Court (Second Judicial District) — District Court, Housing 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 Minnesota Judicial Branch District Court Fees - Ramsey 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: 87,185 (39% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in Ramsey County (St. Paul)

Eviction cases in Ramsey County (St. Paul) are heard by the Ramsey County District Court - Housing Court (Second Judicial District) (District Court, Housing Court (Minnesota)).

Ramsey County Courthouse — 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102 · website

Court eviction page · Search court records · Self-help center

Housing Court hears residential rental cases under Minn. Stat. ch. 504B (evictions, rent escrow, rent abatement) and housing-code criminal cases. Court phone (651) 266-8266; records office Room 72, (651) 266-8237.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Ramsey County (St. Paul)

$325 to file an eviction action ($310 base + $15 law library); $80 for rent escrow, lockout or emergency tenant remedies actions

Fees can be reduced or waived if you cannot afford them.

Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch District Court Fees - Ramsey County, Housing

How eviction cases work locally

Free legal clinic	Volunteer attorneys and law students offer brief consultations for unrepresented Housing Court parties every Tuesday 1-4 PM in the Ramsey County Law Library (18th floor, Courthouse) - Minnesota Justice Foundation, the court and the Law Library. Source: Official source

The Minnesota eviction process

Minnesota state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Ramsey County (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 Ramsey County (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 Ramsey County (St. Paul): $1,329/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

Eviction help in Ramsey County (St. Paul)

Free legal help

Ramsey County Housing Court pro bono clinic (Minnesota Justice Foundation) — Tuesdays 1-4 PM, Ramsey County Law Library.

City rules in Ramsey County (St. Paul)

St. Paul landlord-tenant rules

Other Minnesota counties

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Ramsey County (St. Paul)?

Eviction cases in Ramsey County (St. Paul) are filed with the Ramsey County District Court - Housing Court (Second Judicial District).

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Ramsey County (St. Paul)?

$325 to file an eviction action ($310 base + $15 law library); $80 for rent escrow, lockout or emergency tenant remedies actions.

Where can I get help with an eviction in Ramsey County (St. Paul)?

Ramsey County Housing Court pro bono clinic (Minnesota Justice Foundation).

What is the fair market rent in Ramsey County (St. Paul)?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,709 per month (1-bedroom: $1,405).

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.