Minn. Stat. § 471 § 471.9996
RENT CONTROL PROHIBITED.
Operative Text
Subdivision 1.In general. No statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town may adopt or renew by ordinance or otherwise any law to control rents on private residential property except as provided in subdivision 2. This section does not impair the right of any statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town: (1) to manage or control property in which it has a financial interest through a housing authority or similar agency; (2) to contract with a property owner; (3) to act as required or authorized by laws or regulations of the United States government or this state; or (4) to mediate between property owners and tenants for the purpose of negotiating rents. Subd. 2.Exception. Subdivision 1 does not preclude a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town from controlling rents on private residential property to the extent that the city, county, or town has the power to adopt an ordinance, charter amendment, or law to control these rents if the ordinance, charter amendment, or law that controls rents is approved in a general election. Subdivision 1 does not limit any power or authority of the voters of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town to petition for an ordinance or charter amendment to control rents on private residential property to the extent that the power or authority is otherwise provided for by law, and if the ordinance or charter amendment is approved in a general election. This subdivision does not grant any additional power or authority to the citizens of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town to vote on any question beyond that contained in other law. Subdivision 1 does not apply to any statutory city unless the citizens of the statutory city have the authority to vote on the issue of rent control granted by other law.
Minnesota Statutes § 471.9996 establishes a statewide prohibition on local governments—cities, counties, and towns—adopting or renewing rent control ordinances or similar measures on private residential property. However, the prohibition contains a significant exception: a local government may enact rent control if the measure is approved by voters in a general election, provided that authority exists under other law. The statute preserves certain local government activities, such as managing publicly-financed housing, contracting with property owners, complying with federal or state mandates, and facilitating voluntary rent mediation between landlords and tenants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, private residential property in Minnesota is broadly shielded from locally imposed rent control, meaning most cities, counties, and towns cannot cap rents through ordinance alone. A compliant operator generally monitors whether any jurisdiction where they own property has pursued a voter-approved rent control measure under the statute's general-election exception, since that pathway could result in enforceable local rent limits. Operators also typically distinguish between rent control restrictions and other local housing regulations—such as mediation programs or publicly subsidized housing requirements—which the statute explicitly leaves intact.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minn. Stat. § 471.9996 means that, in most Minnesota communities, local governments currently lack the authority to limit how much a landlord may charge or increase in rent on private residential property. Tenants who believe their community should have rent stabilization protections may look into whether their city or county has pursued or could pursue a voter-approved measure under the statute's general-election exception, which is the primary avenue the law leaves open. Tenant-rights organizations in Minnesota can provide information about which, if any, jurisdictions have active or pending rent control ballot measures, as well as what other tenant protections may apply under state law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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