City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Bemidji, MN
How Bemidji regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Short-term rentals here operate under a registration or permit system with ongoing operating rules.
- Mandatory annual STR-specific license issued administratively by the Building Official
- Pre-application meeting + Bemidji Building Dept and MN Dept of Health review/inspection required before license accepted
- Whole-home STR permitted by-right in residential districts R-1 through R-6 (no owner-occupancy / primary-residence requirement, no citywide cap)
- Neighbor notification to owners within 500 ft after issuance (notice only, non-foreclosing)
- Guest/vehicle limits and per-license conditions
- License non-transferable, expires Dec 31 annually
Based on: Bemidji Code of Ordinances Ch. 28 (Zoning), Art. VIII, Sec. 28-420 Short Term Rentals
Summary of the rule
An annual short-term rental license must be obtained from the building department in accordance with paragraph C of this section. No property may be used for a short-term rental without first obtaining a Short-Term Rental License from the Building Official.
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 15, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Bemidji · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.