City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Brainerd, MN
How Brainerd regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Rules here limit which homes may operate as short-term rentals, how many, where, or for how many nights a year.
- short-term rental (rental under 28 days) is NOT a by-right residential use — it requires a discretionary Interim Use Permit under Zoning Code Section 515-3-34 + Appendix A Table of Uses
- Interim Use Permit is a discretionary, deniable, condition-and-termination-bearing approval requiring Planning Commission + City Council public hearing (MN Stat. 462.3597)
- only ~6-7 STR interim use permits issued citywide plus a few grandfathered units, indicating a real supply-limiting gate
- separate annual Crow Wing County short-term rental license also required ($100 per advertised bedroom)
Based on: Brainerd City Code Chapter 515 (Zoning), Section 515-3-34 Short-Term Rentals + Appendix A Table of Uses; zoning code
Summary of the rule
Operation of a short-term rental requires an Interim Use Permit as regulated by Section 515-3-34 Short-Term Rentals (Appendix A Table of Uses lists STR as an Interim Use, e.g. in the CN-2 District).
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 15, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Brainerd · 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.