Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 193 § 193.02
Security deposits and prepaid rent
Operative Text
(a) Limit on security deposit amount. No landlord may demand, charge, accept, or retain from a tenant more than a single month's rent as a security deposit. (b) Pre-paid rent limitation. No landlord may demand, charge, accept, or retain from a tenant pre-paid rent in an amount that exceeds the equivalent of a single month's rent. This provision should not be read to prohibit a landlord from demanding, charging, accepting, or retaining a security deposit, pet deposit, and/or application fees, pursuant to Section 54.03 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code. (c) Exception. For applicants whose rental application could be denied under Section 193.03 (b), a landlord may charge, accept, and retain an additional payment not to exceed one (1) single month's rent in the form of a security deposit or pre-payment as a condition to enter into a rental agreement with the applicant. (d) Governing law. Any security deposit furnished herein is governed by the provisions of Minn. Stat., § 504B.178, together with this section.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 193 § 193.02 caps both security deposits and prepaid rent at one month's rent each, meaning a landlord generally cannot collect more than one month's rent as a deposit and another month's rent as prepaid rent. A limited exception allows an additional payment of up to one month's rent—either as a security deposit or prepayment—when an applicant's rental history falls into a category that could otherwise justify denial under § 193.03(b). Separate charges such as pet deposits and application fees are still permitted under Saint Paul Legislative Code § 54.03. All security deposits collected under this provision are also subject to Minnesota Statute § 504B.178, which governs how deposits must be held and returned.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 193 § 193.02, compliant operators generally collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit and no more than one month's rent as prepaid rent from any tenant. When an applicant qualifies for the § 193.03(b) exception, operators may collect one additional month's rent as either a security deposit or prepayment, but not both. Operators also ensure that all security deposit funds are handled in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, which sets requirements for holding, accounting for, and returning deposits.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 193 § 193.02 gives tenants a clear ceiling on what a landlord may collect: no more than one month's rent as a security deposit and no more than one month's rent as prepaid rent, unless the landlord invokes the narrow exception under § 193.03(b). If a tenant believes a landlord has collected amounts exceeding these limits, that potential violation may be raised as a defense in a housing proceeding or brought to the attention of a tenant-rights organization familiar with Saint Paul housing law. Because security deposits are also governed by Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, tenants may have additional rights regarding how their deposit is held and returned.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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