08/20/2025
The City of Minneapolis is proposing another increase in rental license fees starting in 2026. A public hearing will be held:
Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Room 350
Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.
You can also submit comments online: https://minneapolismn.gov/publiccomment
or call 612-673-2080.
We all know costs are rising — and it’s reasonable for the City to cover its operating expenses. But the question landlords should be asking is: are the City’s costs increasing at the same rate as these fees?
Our analysis of Tier 1 rental license fees (for landlords who maintain their buildings well and take care of tenants) shows:
Fees for a 20-unit building will rise from $182 in 2012 to $407 in 2026 — more than double.
A 100-unit building will go from $582 to $1,367.
On average, license fees have increased by ~6% per year since 2012, compared to ~2% annual rent growth in Minneapolis (CoStar).
I was curious how these increases added up over time so I developed the charts below:
1) License fees in $ for 4, 20, 50, and 100 unit property examples (2012–2026).
2) Average annual increases for fees vs rents.
3) Cumulative growth since 2012 — comparing fees to Minneapolis rents.
Meanwhile, Tier 2 and 3 license fees (for properties with poor conditions or rule violations) are significantly higher, intentionally penalizing bad actors and incentivizing good management. This makes the rapid rise in Tier 1 fees — the category for responsible landlords — even more concerning.
And remember: these charts only reflect license fees. We haven’t even touched on property taxes or insurance increases — that’s another conversation.
If the City is serious about supporting affordable housing, they must also understand the pressures landlords face from rising fees and costs.
Minneapolis landlords: now is the time to make your voice heard. Please submit your comments to the City and join the discussion below.