St. Paul, Minnesota · City renter rules · Updated Oct 2026
St. Paul Tenant Rights: Rent Control, Evictions (2026)
What is different for renters in St. Paul compared with Minnesota state law: rent control, relocation payments, deposits and eviction protections. In plain English from official city sources.
Short answer
St. Paul has rent stabilization: most landlords may raise rent by no more than 3% in any 12 months unless the city approves more. A Tenant Protections Ordinance (effective May 14, 2026) caps deposits and prepaid rent at one month each, limits tenant screening, and requires 60 days' notice before an eviction for unpaid rent through December 31, 2026 (30 days from January 1, 2027). Minnesota state law has a 14-day notice.
- Rent control
- Yes: 3% cap (covered units)
- Just cause for eviction
- No city rule
- Relocation payments
- In some cases
Rent control in St. Paul
- Who is covered
- Most residential rental units in St. Paul. Exempt: newly constructed buildings that got their first building certificate of occupancy after December 31, 2004, former non-residential buildings converted to housing (new or renewed certificate of occupancy for residential use) after that date, and affordable housing whose rents are regulated by an agreement with a government agency. The new-construction exemption was added by the May 2025 amendment (effective June 13, 2025).
- Allowed increase in 2026
- 3% in any 12-month period without city approval. A landlord may self-certify an increase between 3% and 8% (evaluated annually) and the city reviews it. After a 'just cause' vacancy the city may allow CPI + 8%. Higher increases need a staff determination based on reasonable return. The city must notify you of any exception request and its decision, and you have 45 days to appeal.
- How to check if you are covered
- The new-construction exemption depends on when your building got its first building certificate of occupancy; the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) keeps those records. Ask the Rent Stabilization team (651-266-8553, [email protected]) or DSI (651-266-8989) whether your building is covered. If your landlord raises rent more than 3% without city approval, file a complaint with the city's Rent Stabilization complaint form.
Rent increase calculator for St. Paul
Enter your monthly rent to see the most your landlord may raise it under the cap, and check a proposed new rent. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Just cause for eviction in St. Paul
St. Paul has no just-cause eviction rule of its own; Minnesota law decides when a landlord can end a tenancy. Eviction rules in Minnesota
Relocation payments in St. Paul
- The rule
- Only for tenants in affordable housing buildings (at least 20% of units affordable at 60% of area median income) that are sold. The new owner must give notice within 30 days of closing, and for a tenant protection period (through the end of the third full month after the notice) cannot, without cause, end or not renew your lease, re-screen you, or raise your rent. If the owner does, you are owed relocation assistance equal to 3 months of your current rent, paid within 30 days.
Security deposits in St. Paul
Your security deposit cannot be more than one month's rent, and prepaid rent (such as last month's rent) also cannot be more than one month's rent. Exception: if your application could otherwise be denied, the landlord may ask for one extra month of deposit or prepaid rent as a condition of approval. Pet deposits and application fees are still allowed, but application fees cannot be more than the actual cost of screening.
Repairs and complaints in St. Paul
Contact your landlord first, then file a complaint with the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) at 651-266-8989 or through the city's Service Request Access online; DSI inspects rental properties and enforces the property code.
Eviction protections in St. Paul
Before filing an eviction for unpaid rent, your landlord must give you a written notice (by hand or first-class mail) listing the total due, an itemized breakdown of rent, late fees and other charges, where to pay, and where to get legal and financial help. For notices given from May 14, 2026 through December 31, 2026 the landlord must wait 60 days before filing (a notice dated December 31, 2026 still gives you 60 days). Starting January 1, 2027 the wait is 30 days. State law requires only 14 days.
Other St. Paul rules
- Screening: the landlord must give you its screening criteria before taking any fee, cannot deny you only for a credit score or lack of credit history, and cannot use evictions 3 or more years old, misdemeanors older than 3 years, or most felonies older than 7 years (10 years for certain serious felonies). If denied under the city's standard criteria, you must get written reasons within 14 days.
- Complaints about the Tenant Protections Ordinance go to DSI through Service Request Access (category 'Rental-Tenant Protections') or [email protected].
Minnesota law that also applies
City rules add to state law. Where they differ, the stronger protection usually applies; if you are unsure, ask the city agency below.
- Deposit limit
- No statewide limit
- Deposit back within
- 21 days
- Notice for unpaid rent
- 14 days
- Notice before entry
- 24 hours
- Rent increase notice
- No statute setting a rent-increase notice; for month-to-month, the landlord must give notice at least one rental period ahead to change terms, and during a lease only as the lease allows.
Where to get help in St. Paul
Free tools
These tools use Minnesota state law. St. Paul's rules above may give you more time or more money.
Deposit calculator
Check Minnesota's deadline to return your deposit.
Eviction notice timeline
See the dates under Minnesota law.
Repair request letter for Minnesota
Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.
Questions about renting in St. Paul
Is there rent control in St. Paul?
Most residential rental units in St. Paul. Exempt: newly constructed buildings that got their first building certificate of occupancy after December 31, 2004, former non-residential buildings converted to housing (new or renewed certificate of occupancy for residential use) after that date, and affordable housing whose rents are regulated by an agreement with a government agency. The new-construction exemption was added by the May 2025 amendment (effective June 13, 2025).
How much can my rent go up in St. Paul in 2026?
3% in any 12-month period without city approval. A landlord may self-certify an increase between 3% and 8% (evaluated annually) and the city reviews it. After a 'just cause' vacancy the city may allow CPI + 8%. Higher increases need a staff determination based on reasonable return. The city must notify you of any exception request and its decision, and you have 45 days to appeal.
What eviction protections does St. Paul have?
Before filing an eviction for unpaid rent, your landlord must give you a written notice (by hand or first-class mail) listing the total due, an itemized breakdown of rent, late fees and other charges, where to pay, and where to get legal and financial help. For notices given from May 14, 2026 through December 31, 2026 the landlord must wait 60 days before filing (a notice dated December 31, 2026 still gives you 60 days). Starting January 1, 2027 the wait is 30 days. State law requires only 14 days.
Do I get relocation money if I have to move out in St. Paul?
Only for tenants in affordable housing buildings (at least 20% of units affordable at 60% of area median income) that are sold. The new owner must give notice within 30 days of closing, and for a tenant protection period (through the end of the third full month after the notice) cannot, without cause, end or not renew your lease, re-screen you, or raise your rent. If the owner does, you are owed relocation assistance equal to 3 months of your current rent, paid within 30 days.
Are there city rules on security deposits in St. Paul?
Your security deposit cannot be more than one month's rent, and prepaid rent (such as last month's rent) also cannot be more than one month's rent. Exception: if your application could otherwise be denied, the landlord may ask for one extra month of deposit or prepaid rent as a condition of approval. Pet deposits and application fees are still allowed, but application fees cannot be more than the actual cost of screening.
How do I report repair problems in St. Paul?
Contact your landlord first, then file a complaint with the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) at 651-266-8989 or through the city's Service Request Access online; DSI inspects rental properties and enforces the property code.
- Saint Paul: What is the Rent Stabilization Ordinance?
- Saint Paul DSI: Rent Stabilization for Landlords (exemptions)
- Saint Paul DSI: Rent Stabilization Rules & Processes
- Saint Paul DSI: Rent Stabilization for Renters
- Saint Paul DSI: Tenant Protections
- Saint Paul Legislative Code chapter 193 (Tenant Protections), PDF
Last checked: Oct 2026.