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Lodging in Minnesota
Businesses in Minnesota that provide overnight sleeping accommodations are defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 157.15.
Definitions
Hotel or motel
Minnesota Statutes, section 157.15, subd. 7
If you rent rooms for periods of less than one week, your establishment will be licensed as a hotel or motel. In addition to traditional hotels and motels, some common examples include:
- Bed and breakfast
- Vacation home rental
- Bunkhouses
- Camper cabins
Lodging establishment
Minnesota Statutes, section 157.15, subd. 8
If you rent sleeping accommodations for periods of one week or more, and have five or more beds, your establishment will be licensed as a lodging establishment.
If you furnish sleeping accommodations exclusively to patients, their families, and caregivers while the patient is receiving or waiting to receive health care treatments or procedures for periods of one week or more, your establishment will be licensed as a lodging establishment.
Resort
Minnesota Statutes, section 157.15, subd. 11
If your business provides convenient access to a recreational area for periods of one day, one week, or longer, and has five or more cottages, rooms, or enclosures for rent, your establishment will be licensed as a resort.
Licenses required per type of lodging
| Type of business | License type required | Number of units | Period of stay | For more information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels Motels | Hotel or motel | One or more units | One night or more |
|
| Bed and breakfast | Hotel or motel | One or more units | One night or more | |
| Vacation home rental | Hotel or motel | One or more units | One night or more |
|
| Bunkhouses | Hotel or motel | One or more units | Up to three nights | |
| Camper cabins | Hotel or motel | One or more units | One night or more | |
| Lodging establishment | Lodging establishment | Five or more units | One week or more | |
| Resort | Resort | Five or more units | One night or more with recreational area access |
Lodging establishments, food and beverage establishments, and public swimming pools in Minnesota are licensed by different agencies. The establishment's location determines which agency is responsible for plan review and licensing. To find out which agency is responsible, see the Licensing website. Contact the appropriate agency to discuss plan review and licensing requirements, and to obtain applications.
Care facilities
Many care facilities are regulated by the Health Regulation division within MDH. Visit Facility Certification, Regulation and Licensing for more information.
Businesses holding a Housing with Services (HWS) registration are exempt from lodging licensure for tenant units or apartments. To determine if your establishment holds a HWS registration, search the Health Care Facility and Provider Database. HWS registration is issued through the Licensing and Certification program of the Minnesota Department of Health, Health Regulation division.
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