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Law Pebble

Saint Paul, MN: Tenant Rules, Courts and Legal Help

How is this page verified?Every figure on this page comes from a source listed on it: published 50-state surveys that we cross-check (a number appears only when at least two agree) or the official government page named under Sources. Local rules were read on the official page on 2026-10-20 and are re-checked on a schedule. Laws change, so confirm with the source before you act.How we verifyBy Law Pebble Editorial Team

Saint Paul caps most rent increases at 3 percent in a 12-month period, with set paths for landlords to ask for more.

Saint Paul by the numbers

MeasureFigureNote
Population (2024 estimate)307,465City of Saint Paul, down 1.3% since the 2020 census base.
Poverty rate, Ramsey County13.3%Census SAIPE 2024 county estimate.
Median household income, Ramsey County$78,562Census SAIPE 2024 county estimate.
Traffic deaths, Ramsey County, 2022315.72 per 100,000 residents (countywide, not city only). NHTSA FARS.

The 3 percent rent cap

Saint Paul's rent stabilization ordinance limits rent increases to no more than 3 percent in a 12-month period. Voters approved it on November 2, 2021, and the cap took effect May 1, 2022. The ordinance was amended with changes effective January 1, 2023 and June 13, 2025. The City says the amended ordinance creates an exemption for newly constructed residential rental properties, but the page does not explain who qualifies or for how long, so check the City's rules before assuming a building is exempt.

How a landlord can go above 3 percent

  • Self-certification: increases of 3 to 8 percent, evaluated annually.
  • Just cause vacancy: CPI plus 8 percent, where the landlord must show a just cause vacancy.
  • Staff determination: no set limit, with appropriate justification.
  • Requests based on a reasonable return on investment are analyzed using nine factors that the City describes in its rules.

Your rights as a tenant

  • The City notifies tenants when a landlord applies for an exception and when it is approved or denied.
  • Tenants and landlords have 45 days from the City's determination to appeal, and only the affected landlord or tenant may appeal, for their own unit.
  • Tenants can file a complaint using the Rent Stabilization complaint form, which is available in English and Spanish.

If your landlord raises your rent

  1. Compare the new rent with what you paid 12 months ago. An increase of more than 3 percent needs an approved exception unless the unit is exempt.
  2. Ask your landlord in writing whether an exception or exemption applies.
  3. Call the Department of Safety and Inspections at 651-266-8989 (non-emergency, weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or file the complaint form.
  4. Keep your lease, rent receipts and the increase notice.

Minnesota rules that also apply in Saint Paul

City rules sit on top of state law. In Minnesota, individuals can bring small claims of up to $20,000, the personal injury filing deadline is generally 6 years and landlords have about 3 weeks to return a security deposit. See the full Minnesota legal guide for statutes and notes.

Small claims limit$20,000
Personal injury deadline6 years
Security deposit return3 weeks

Related guides: how evictions work, security deposit rules, tenant repairs and habitability and how small claims court works.

Where to get help in Saint Paul

Sources and how we checked

Local rules above were read on the official pages below on 2026-10-20. City rules change, so check the page before you act.

  • City of Saint Paul: Rent Stabilization
  • Population: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 estimates (SUB-EST2024).
  • Poverty and income: Census Bureau SAIPE 2024 county estimates.
  • Traffic deaths: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2022 data, summed by county.