Stearns Co. slaps new regulations on rental houses

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) — Stearns County is the first county in the state to pass an ordinance regulating the use of private homes as vacation rentals.

It's been an issue in the county for a few years, due to concerns about public safety and health and the effects on neighborhoods of extra traffic and loud parties.
The new ordinance puts those who rent out private homes under the same stricter regulations as those who operate resorts.

Some of the new rules include water testing, meeting parking requirements, and limiting occupancy based on the number of bedrooms in the home.

The county has sent letters to property owners in Stearns County that are currently renting out private homes. They have a year to come into compliance.

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