4d affordable housing incentive program

St. Louis Park’s 4d affordable housing incentive program was established to help preserve affordable homes in the city. It gives apartment building owners property tax reductions if they agree to keep 20% or more of their rental units affordable. The program also helps owners make energy efficient and safety improvements through financial grants.

Multifamily rental rehabilitation loan

The multifamily rental rehabilitation loan program provides financial rehabilitation assistance to eligible owners and/or landlords of St. Louis Park multifamily residential rental properties with two or more units. The goal is to provide a rehab incentive for naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) properties to improve their property without raising rents above the 60% area median income (AMI) rent level.

St. Louis Park legacy program

The city is committed to working with property owners to promote the preservation of affordable housing in the community. To create new affordable housing and to preserve the loss of existing, at-risk affordable housing, the city has created the St. Louis Park legacy program to:

• Provide you with connections to private, philanthropic and public investors in affordable housing, as well as for-profit and nonprofit developers creating and preserving affordable homes in Minnesota communities
• Connect you with local organizations that provide equity investments to support the preservation of existing affordable rental housing in the seven-county metro area.

Apply for a rental license 

A rental license is required for any non-owner occupied unit, including relative homesteaded properties. This consists of one and two single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and multifamily properties. View the rental license page for information on obtaining a rental license.

Contact Michael Pivec, property maintenance and licensing manager, at 952.924.2626 or mpivec@stlouisparkmn.gov with questions.

Rental license ordinance and training

Following extensive public process and analysis, in August 2020, the St. Louis Park City Council adopted revisions to the rental license ordinance repealing the crime-free, drug-free sections of the ordinance. The revisions took effect in September 2020.

Learn more about the rental license ordinance and training.

St. Louis Park Area Rental Coalition's (SPARC) mission is to provide a community-wide forum that promotes effective management practices and quality rental housing in St. Louis Park. This is a valuable networking opportunity for rental owners, managers and city staff.

The coalition meets quarterly. Any information on upcoming meetings can be found below.

Upcoming meetings and training

 Save the date for upcoming 2026 meetings:

• Thursday, Feb. 12
• Thursday, May. 7
• Thursday, Aug. 13
• Thursday, Nov. 19

More information about specific time, location and topics will be sent in the SPARC e-newsletter and shared here.

The next SPARC meeting will be held Thursday, May 7, 10 – 11:30 a.m. at St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., in the council chambers on the third floor. A staff attorney from HomeLine will be presenting on topics related to tenant-landlord law and fair housing. There will also be time during the meeting for attendees to ask questions.

To attend, register by noon Tuesday, May 5 and submit any questions you would like answered by our presenter.

The rental license training course will be offered annually in the spring and fall. Learn more about the rental license ordinance and training.

SPARC e-newsletter

The SPARC e-newsletter provides information to rental property owners and manager in St. Louis Park. The e-newsletter comes from the email address stlouisparkmn@public.govdelivery.com. If you want to be added to the e-newsletter distribution list, send an email to kkline@stlouisparkmn.gov.

Contact

Katie Kline
Housing specialist
952.928.1314
kkline@stlouisparkmn.gov

Mia Callahan
Housing choice voucher specialist
952.924.2571
mcallahan@stlouisparkmn.gov

 

 

90-day tenant protection ordinance

The St. Louis Park City Council adopted an ordinance enacting a tenant protection period following the sale of an affordable housing building. The goal is to protect lower-income tenants in the city.

The ordinance was recommended by a city-convened workgroup advocating for the preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH). NOAH properties are rental buildings where at least 18% of the units have rents that are affordable to households with incomes at or below 60% area median income (AMI).

Under the ordinance, new owners of affordable housing buildings would be required to pay relocation benefits to tenants if the owner increases the rent, re-screens existing residents or implements non-renewals of leases without cause within a three-month period following the ownership transfer of the property and the tenant chooses to move due to these actions.

Relocation benefits (rounded) by apartment size

Apartment size	Benefit amount
Studio	$3,200
One-bedroom	$3,600
Two-bedroom	$4,300
Three-bedroom	$5,000

The tenant protection ordinance packet outlines the requirements of the ordinance and provides resources to help owners and property managers understand the ordinance.

St. Louis Park is the first city in the state to adopt such an ordinance.

Effective Nov. 1, 2024: 30-day notice of eviction requirement

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, a new state law requires all landlords in Minnesota to issue a 14-day written notice before filing evictions for non-payment of rent.

The City of St. Louis Park’s ordinance requires landlords with rental properties in St. Louis Park to provide a 30-day pre-eviction notice to tenants prior to initiating an eviction action for non-payment of rent or other financial obligations. Landlords are required to provide the residential tenant with a pre-eviction notice form prepared by the city.

Landlords must comply with the St. Louis Park ordinance and Minnesota statute 504b.321

If you have any questions on how to comply with state law and city ordinance, please consult with your attorney.

HousingLink

HousingLink is Minnesota's primary source for affordable housing-related openings and information. It’s also used by landlords and property managers to advertise their rental housing openings for free. 

Minnesota Multi Housing Association

The Minnesota Multi Housing Association (MHA) promotes high standards in the development, management and maintenance of rental and owner-occupied multi housing. It offers members products, such as renter lease agreements, and education to fit the needs of rental property owners and management companies.