Minneapolis vs Portland

Minnesota Legal with Permit | Oregon Legal but Limited

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $64 short-term rental registration fee
Tax Rate 6.875% state sales tax + up to 3% Minneapolis entertainment tax (~10% combined)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $2,000 per violation; license revocation for repeated offenses
Portland, Oregon
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling)
Tax Rate 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban

Minneapolis has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Minneapolis charges $64 short-term rental registration fee for STR licensing, while Portland charges $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling). Minneapolis renewal is annual, and Portland renewal is every 2 years. Overall, Minneapolis has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Portland (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In Minneapolis, hosts pay 6.875% state sales tax + up to 3% Minneapolis entertainment tax (~10% combined). In Portland, hosts pay 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Minneapolis face penalties including Up to $2,000 per violation; license revocation for repeated offenses. In Portland, violations can result in Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Minneapolis Overview

Owners limited to one STR property plus their homesteaded residence; buildings with 20+ units capped at 10% STR units. $300,000 liability insurance and neighbor notification required.

Contact: Inspections Services Division — (612) 673-3000

Full Minneapolis guide →

Portland Overview

Only accessory (hosted) short-term rentals allowed; resident must occupy the dwelling at least 270 days/year. Type A permits allow up to 2 bedrooms and 5 guests. Whole-home unhosted rentals are prohibited.

Contact: Portland Permitting & Development — (503) 823-2633

Full Portland guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Minneapolis or Portland?
Minneapolis is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Portland is "Legal but Limited." Minneapolis's permit fee is $64 short-term rental registration fee compared to $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) in Portland. Overall, Minneapolis has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Minneapolis or Portland?
Minneapolis charges 6.875% state sales tax + up to 3% Minneapolis entertainment tax (~10% combined), while Portland charges 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Minneapolis: Up to $2,000 per violation; license revocation for repeated offenses. Portland: Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Minneapolis and Portland have day limits for Airbnb?
Minneapolis has no annual day limit. Portland has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Minneapolis or Portland?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Minneapolis charges $64 short-term rental registration fee for permits with 6.875% state sales tax + up to 3% Minneapolis entertainment tax (~10% combined) in taxes. Portland charges $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) with 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state. Automatic tax collection in Minneapolis and Portland makes compliance easier for beginners.