Guide to Crow Wing County, MN Short Term Rental Regulations

Updated for 2025

What Counts as a Short-Term Rental in Crow Wing County?

Crow Wing County defines a Short-Term Rental (STR) as any home, cabin, condo, or similar dwelling rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days and not operating as a resort, hotel, or B&B.

This includes:

• Lake homes
• Seasonal cabins
• Rural residential properties
• Condominiums and townhomes

If your property is advertised as a place where sleeping accommodations are provided to the public for <30 days, it is considered an STR.

Crow Wing County Vacation Rental Licensing Requirements

Annual License Required

All STRs in Crow Wing County must hold a valid Short-Term Rental License, renewed annually.

• A separate license is required for each unit on a parcel.
• Licenses run January 1–December 31, regardless of issuance date.
• Licenses are non-transferable, meaning if the property sells, the new owner must apply for a new license.
• There is a fee of $100 per bedroom for applications and renewals

You Cannot Operate An STR While

• Property taxes are past due
• There are open enforcement cases or pending permits
• The property has three substantiated violations prior to application

Crow Wing County STR Application Requirements

To apply for a short term rental license, property owners will need several pieces of information

• Property owner name, mailing address, email, and telephone.
• 6-digit account number and MUNIRevs Activation Code from notification letter or from Crow Wing County Land Services staff.
• 24 hours a day/7 days a week contact name, mailing address, email and telephone (if different than property owner.)
• Short-Term Rental physical address and parcel number.
• Number of bedrooms.
• Advertised occupancy

Crow Wing County also requires documentation about the properties sewer system and as part of the application requires one of the following.

• Septic Installation Certificate (if system was installed within the last 5-years)
• Compliance Inspection (dated within the past 3-years, if the system was installed greater than five years ago.)
• If the property is not connected to an on-site individual septic treatment system (ISTS) but instead is connected to a city/municipal sewer or a local sanitary sewer district, a wavier form will need to be filled out and attached to the application (Septic Compliance Inspection Waiver Form).

Crow Wing County STR Property Standards & Operational Rules

Garbage & Recycling

• Must be stored in fully enclosed refuse containers
• Sufficient capacity must be provided for guest use
• Disposal must meet the Crow Wing County Solid Waste Ordinance

Occupancy Limits

Crow Wing County sets occupancy based on bedrooms defined by building/health codes.

Countywide Occupancy Formula

• Maximum of 3 people per bedroom + 1 additional person per unit
• RVs, tents, accessory structures, fish houses, and garages cannot be used for extra sleeping space
• You may not advertise more bedrooms or occupancy than the license allows
• Only two STR licenses permitted per parcel

Individual towns or townships often have their own occupancy rules which may change during peak tourism months. Always check directly with the local municipality for the most current information.

24/7 Local Contact Requirement

Each STR must maintain a local contact (owner or authorized agent) who:

• Is reachable 24/7
• Responds within 1 hour to complaints
• Has authority to resolve issues
• Contact information must be provided to renters and is accessible publicly on the county website

Advertising Rules

Owners may not advertise:

• More bedrooms than the licensed number
• Higher occupancy than allowed
• Additional structures (tents, RVs, bunkhouses) as sleeping accommodations

False advertising is considered a violation and can lead to potential license revocation.

Enforcement & Violations

Crow Wing County investigates all complaints and contacts both owners and complainants.

Substantiated Violations

A violation becomes “substantiated” when the county confirms it.

If an STR receives:

• 3 substantiated violations within one year the license may be revoked for 1 year
• Failure to comply with directives can lead to misdemeanor charges or license loss
• False reporting fines:
  • $100 first offense
  • $150 second
  • $1,000 third or more

Appeals Process

If the county determines a property is non-compliant, the owner has options.

County-Level Appeals

• Appeals must be filed within 14 days of the notice of non-compliance
• Required documentation depends on the issue (bedrooms, garbage, septic, noise, etc.)
  • Documentation types include floor plans, photos, site plans, septic records, etc.
• The County Administrator schedules a hearing within 30 days of a complete appeal
• The Administrator issues a decision within 10 days
• Owners may appeal further to District Court within 30 days

Site Plan Requirements (For Licensing & Appeals)

A complete site plan must include:

• Property boundaries, setbacks, and dimensions
• Lake/river name (if applicable)
• Well and septic locations
• Driveway and parking layout
• Structures (existing & proposed)
• Impervious surface calculations

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