Hot Tubs Are Now Allowed in Minnesota Vacation Rentals — What Owners Need to Know
Hello, this is Mike Fish with Minnesota Real Estate and Management, and today I want to break down one of the biggest changes we’ve seen in years for short-term rental owners in Minnesota: as of July 2025, the State of Minnesota now allows hot tubs at vacation rentals.
This is a topic I’ve been asked about weekly—both by future VRBO investors and current owners—and now that the rules have officially changed, it’s important to understand both the opportunity and the responsibility that comes with adding a hot tub.
Before going further, I want to be absolutely clear:
Important Disclaimer
I am not an attorney and I am not an insurance professional.
Every homeowner should speak directly with an attorney, their insurance provider, and any relevant county officials before installing or using a hot tub at a STR property. This article is based on my experience and work with dozens of properties, but it is not legal or insurance advice.
A Long-Awaited Rule Change
For years, Minnesota treated vacation-rental hot tubs as public pools, and in certain counties—especially Aitkin and Mille Lacs—you were required to physically remove the hot tub before you could even obtain a lodging license.
Crow Wing County had been something of a “protective bubble,” simply because some unlicensed operators kept their hot tubs without going through state lodging requirements. But for licensed operators, the rules were strict.
That has officially changed.
The State of Minnesota has now removed hot tubs from the “public pool” classification for licensed vacation rentals, meaning:
✔ You can now have a hot tub and still obtain a lodging license.
✔ You no longer need to remove an existing hot tub to comply.
This is a massive win for vacation-rental owners throughout Central Minnesota.
Why Hot Tubs Matter So Much in the Off-Season
I’ve said for years that a hot tub in our market “might as well be filled with gold” in the off-season. Even modest cabins with a clean, well-maintained hot tub regularly bring in:
➡ $2,000–$3,000+ per month in January and February alone.
Some outperform that by a wide margin.
The demand is real, and the revenue impact is undeniable.
But Here’s the Non-Negotiable Reality: Hot Tubs Carry Significant Liability
Even though the state no longer requires it, I want to make this perfectly clear:
I will not manage any property—ever—unless a licensed Pool & Spa specialist handles the hot tub. Period.
Based on what I have seen over the years, this is simply the bare minimum for safe and responsible operation.
Hot tubs require:
Twice-weekly water checks
Chemical balancing
Filter cleaning
Shock treatments
Safety monitoring
Seasonal inspections
Compliance logs
Emergency procedures
There is real liability, and there is real danger if it is not handled professionally.
Most licensed Pool & Spa specialists in this area charge around $500/month for year-round service.
Our owners typically add a $75 hot tub fee, which covers about half of that cost—and the rest is easily offset by the increased revenue.
If You’re Installing a New Hot Tub
If you’re thinking about adding one, I always recommend looping in a professional from day one. I refer all owners to the Pool & Spa specialist we use, and he helps with:
Selecting the correct model
Proper placement
Electrical & safety considerations
Long-term service planning
Doing this right upfront prevents headaches later and ensures the hot tub meets insurance, safety, and operational standards.
A Big Win for Minnesota Vacation Rentals
Many of our owners in Aitkin and Mille Lacs counties are already moving ahead with hot tubs now that they are finally allowed—and I think we’ll see a major shift in off-season demand because of it.
Again, I am thrilled about this change. I have advocated for it for several years, because when handled by a licensed professional, hot tubs are safe, well-maintained, and a significant amenity for guests.
Final Reminder
Consult an attorney.
Consult your insurance provider.
Consult your county or city if you have local ordinances.
And again:
I will not manage a property unless a licensed Pool & Spa specialist is in place.
If you have questions, or want a referral to the specialist we use, feel free to reach out anytime.
This is Mike Fish with Minnesota Real Estate and Management.
Thanks for reading, and thank you to the State of Minnesota for finally updating this important rule.
