Short-Term Rental Units

Blue Earth County adopted standards for short-term rental units (vacation homes) in 2022. The standards can be viewed in this PDF document.  Short-term rental units are classified as an Interim Use and an Interim Use Permit is required for their operation.  All existing Short-Term Rental units are required to obtain an Interim Use Permit by February 1, 2023 to continue operations.

Short-term rental units are allowed as an Interim Use in the following zoning districts:

  • Agriculture
  • Conservation
  • Rural Residence 
  • Rural Townsite
  • Shoreland 
  • Urban Fringe Overlay

The standards only apply in areas outside cities and outside of Mankato Township and Lime Township.  

Public input into issues related to short-term rental units was received from an online survey that was conducted in 2020.   Further input was sought with two open houses in 2021.

Questions or comments can be emailed to County Planning and Zoning Staff