Eviction in Stearns County, Minnesota
Where eviction cases are filed in Stearns County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Stearns County
- Eviction court
- Stearns County District Court - Court Administration — District Court (eviction / unlawful detainer actions) Court page
- 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)
- $1,206/month HUD
- Renter households
- 19,740 (32% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28
Where eviction cases are filed in Stearns County
Eviction cases in Stearns County are heard by the Stearns County District Court - Court Administration (District Court (eviction / unlawful detainer actions)).
Stearns County Court Administration's site has an Eviction Process section. The Sheriff's Civil Division serves eviction papers (private process servers may also serve).
The Minnesota eviction process
Minnesota state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Stearns County:
- 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 Stearns County
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the St. Cloud, MN MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $874 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $919 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,206 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,604 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,873 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Stearns County: $1,068/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure follows state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.
Eviction help in Stearns County
Free legal help
- Central Minnesota Legal Services - St. Cloud Office — Serves Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties. 110 6th Avenue S, Suite 205, St. Cloud, MN 56301; (320) 253-0138; new clients 1-877-696-6529. Mon-Thu 8:30-4:30, Fri 8:30-noon.
Tenant and eviction lawyers in Stearns County
Other Minnesota counties
- Eviction in Hennepin County (Minneapolis)
- Eviction in Ramsey County (St. Paul)
- Eviction in Dakota County (Hastings, Apple Valley, West St. Paul)
- Eviction in Anoka County
- Eviction in St. Louis County
- Eviction in Washington County
- Eviction in Olmsted County
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 Stearns County?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Stearns County?
What is the fair market rent in Stearns County?
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.