St. Paul Landlord-Tenant Rules
St. Paul adds local rules on top of Minnesota landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Rent stabilization | St. Paul's voter-approved Rent Stabilization Ordinance (approved November 2, 2021, effective May 1, 2022, amended effective January 1, 2023 and June 13, 2025) limits residential rent increases to 3% in any 12-month period without City approval. Exceptions: a self-certification increase of 3% to 8% (evaluated annually); an increase of CPI plus 8% after a qualifying just-cause vacancy; staff-determined increases above the cap with justification (no set limit), using reasonable-return-on-investment factors; and an exemption for newly constructed rental properties. Tenants are notified by mail when a landlord applies for an exception, and no increase may take effect until at least 45 days after the City's determination. Landlords and tenants have 45 days to appeal. Depending on how utilities are metered and billed, utility charges may count toward the 3% cap. Renter FAQ: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/rent-buy-sell-property/rent-stabilization/renters. |
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| Required notices/registration | Pre-eviction notice under the Tenant Protections Ordinance: before filing an eviction for nonpayment, the landlord must give written notice of the amount owed (itemized), payment contact information, and the required legal aid and financial-assistance statements. From May 14, 2026 through December 31, 2026 the notice period is temporarily 60 days (passed by the City Council March 25, 2026). It returns to 30 days on January 1, 2027. Both periods are longer than Minnesota's statewide 14-day pre-filing notice. |
| Security deposit (local add-on) | Landlords may not require a security deposit or prepaid rent of more than one month's rent. For an applicant who could otherwise be denied, the landlord may require one additional month as a condition of approval. Pet deposits and application fees are not limited by this rule. |
| Relocation assistance | When an affordable housing building is sold, the new owner must notify affected tenants within 30 days after closing. A tenant protection period then runs through the end of the third calendar month after the month the notice is sent. If the new owner, without cause, terminates or does not renew the lease, raises rent, or rescreens tenants during that period, the tenant may be owed relocation assistance of three months of current total rent, payable within 30 days. Applies to affordable housing units only. |
| Tenant screening | Landlords must use uniform screening criteria and give them to applicants before accepting an application or fee. Application fees may not exceed the actual screening cost. Denials may be based on evictions within 3 years, relevant credit information (not a credit score alone), misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor sentences within 3 years, and felony sentences within 7 years. Stricter criteria require an individualized assessment. A denial requires written notice within 14 days, including the screening or credit agency's contact information. |
Eviction cases in St. Paul are heard in: Ramsey County District Court, Housing Court
Eviction court, fees and help
Local agencies
- Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) — Administers rent stabilization (exception applications, tenant notices), tenant protections, rental certificates of occupancy and property code enforcement.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does St. Paul add on top of Minnesota law?
Rent stabilization: St. Paul's voter-approved Rent Stabilization Ordinance (approved November 2, 2021, effective May 1, 2022, amended effective January 1, 2023 and June 13, 2025) limits residential rent increases to 3% in any 12-month period without City approval. Exceptions: a self-certification increase of 3% to 8% (evaluated annually); an increase of CPI plus 8% after a qualifying just-cause vacancy; staff-determined increases above the cap with justification (no set limit), using reasonable-return-on-investment factors; and an exemption for newly constructed rental properties. Tenants are notified by mail when a landlord applies for an exception, and no increase may take effect until at least 45 days after the City's determination. Landlords and tenants have 45 days to appeal. Depending on how utilities are metered and billed, utility charges may count toward the 3% cap.; Required notices/registration: Pre-eviction notice under the Tenant Protections Ordinance: before filing an eviction for nonpayment, the landlord must give written notice of the amount owed (itemized), payment contact information, and the required legal aid and financial-assistance statements. From May 14, 2026 through December 31, 2026 the notice period is temporarily 60 days (passed by the City Council March 25, 2026). It returns to 30 days on January 1, 2027.; Security deposit (local add-on): Landlords may not require a security deposit or prepaid rent of more than one month's rent. For an applicant who could otherwise be denied, the landlord may require one additional month as a condition of approval. Pet deposits and application fees are not limited by this rule.; Relocation assistance: When an affordable housing building is sold, the new owner must notify affected tenants within 30 days after closing. A tenant protection period then runs through the end of the third calendar month after the month the notice is sent. If the new owner, without cause, terminates or does not renew the lease, raises rent, or rescreens tenants during that period, the tenant may be owed relocation assistance of three months of current total rent, payable within 30 days.
← All Minnesota landlord-tenant rules
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.