New tenant protection rules took effect May 14 in St. Paul, establishing new standards for rental screening, security deposits and eviction notices across the city’s housing market.

The Tenant Protections Ordinance, approved by the St. Paul City Council in 2025, applies to both affordable and market-rate housing and is intended to expand housing stability for renters.

Under the new rules, landlords must provide applicants with written screening criteria before collecting application fees. The ordinance also limits security deposits and prepaid rent to no more than one month’s rent, though additional deposits may be allowed in some circumstances.

The city also temporarily extended the required pre-eviction notice period for nonpayment of rent from 30 days to 60 days through the end of 2026. Beginning in 2027, the notice period will return to 30 days.

Additional provisions affecting affordable housing properties require new owners to notify tenants following a sale and establish temporary tenant protection periods during ownership transitions.

City officials said the ordinance is intended to create more uniform screening practices and reduce barriers to securing housing amid ongoing affordability challenges in St. Paul.

Housing advocates have praised the protections as a step toward greater stability for renters, while some property owner groups have expressed concerns about administrative burdens and impacts on small landlords.

More information is available at stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/rent-buy-sell-property/renting-property/tenant-protections.