Lodging in Minnesota
Lodging establishments meeting the following definitions must be licensed in Minnesota.
Definitions
Lodging establishment
A building, structure, enclosure, or any part thereof used as, maintained as, advertised as, or held out to be a place where sleeping accommodations are furnished to the public as regular roomers, for periods of one week or more, and having five or more beds to let to the public.
Hotel or Motel
A building, structure, enclosure, or any part thereof used as, maintained as, advertised as, or held out to be a place where sleeping accommodations are furnished to the public and furnishing accommodations for periods of less than one week.
Resort
A building, structure, enclosure, or any part thereof located on, or on property neighboring, any lake, stream, skiing or hunting area, or any recreational area for purposes of providing convenient access thereto, kept, used, maintained, or advertised as, or held out to the public to be a place where sleeping accommodations are furnished to the public, and primarily to those seeking recreation for periods of one day, one week, or longer, and having for rent five or more cottages, rooms, or enclosures.
Boarding establishment
A food and beverage service establishment where food or beverages, or both are furnished to five or more accommodations, for periods of one week or more.
Bed & Breakfast
Owner occupied establishments which offer lodging and breakfast, without a limitation on the number of rooms offered. If breakfast is offered to more than 10 persons, a commercial kitchen is required.
Many Care Facilities are regulated by the Compliance Monitoring Division within MDH. Please visit the following link for more information:
Licenses Required Per Type of Lodging
| Lodging License Type | Number of Units | Duration of Stay | Additional Licenses Which May be Needed |
| Bed & Breakfast | 1 or more | 1 night or longer | Food (see: Bed and Breakfast Operations) |
| Resort | 5 or more | 1 night or more | Food and Beverage (see: Food Business Licensing) Swimming Pool-Spa Pool (see: Public Swimming Pools) |
| Lodging | 5 or more | One week or more | A Special Services Registration may be required (see: Boarding and Lodging with Special Services or Housing with Services) |
| Boarding Establishment | 5 or more | One week or more | Food (see: Food Business Licensing) |
| Hotel/Motel | 1 or more | One day or longer | Food (see: Food Business Licensing) Swimming Pool-Spa Pool (see: Public Swimming Pools) |
| Vacation Home Rentals | 1 or more | One day or longer | Visit Explore Minnesota: Vacation Home Rental for more information. A hotel/motel license may be required. |
Housing with Services and Board and Lodging with Special Services establishments provide sleeping accommodations for residents. A lodging license may be required. If food is provided, a boarding license may also be required. Please contact the appropriate licensing authority to determine if a lodging or boarding license is necessary:
- Minnesota State and Local Environmental Health Contacts (PDF:22 pages/651 KB) - contacts begin on page 7
- Housing with Services Establishments/Assisted Living Designation/Uniform Consumer Information Guide
- Boarding and Lodging Establishments or Lodging Establishments Providing Special Services Registration
- Licensing: Food, Beverage, and Lodging
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