St. Paul, Minnesota Security Deposit Rules (St. Paul Legis. Code § 193.02)
The Tenant Protections Ordinance, effective May 14, 2026, caps the security deposit at one month's rent and prepaid rent at one month, with a one-month extra deposit or prepayment allowed if the application could be denied under the screening rules. Pet deposits and application fees remain allowed. State 504B.178 still governs return, interest, and itemization.
State law vs St. Paul ordinance
| Rule | Minnesota state law | St. Paul ordinance |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline |
| Not found in the ordinance text reviewed |
| Cap | No general statewide statutory maximum for ordinary residential deposits under § 504B.178. | No landlord may demand, charge, accept, or retain more than a single month's rent as a security deposit. Prepaid rent is likewise capped at one month. Exception: if the application could be denied under § 193.03(b), the landlord may take one additional month as security deposit or prepayment as a condition of approval. Does not bar a pet deposit or application fee. (St. Paul Legis. Code § 193.02) |
| Interest | Simple noncompounded interest at 1% per annum from the first day of the next month following full payment of the deposit until compliance with subd. 3 or judgment; interest amounts under $1 excluded. | Not found in the ordinance text reviewed |
| Penalty | failure to provide timely written statement (or other listed duties) = liability for the withheld portion plus interest as a penalty, in addition to the portion wrongfully withheld plus interest; separate bad-faith punitive damages up to $500 per deposit. Bad faith required: No. | Not found in the ordinance text reviewed |
| Itemization | Required | Not found in the ordinance text reviewed |
| Applies to | Statewide | Residential rental housing in Saint Paul, affordable and market-rate. Security-deposit and prepaid-rent limits apply to both. |
Free Minnesota template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178), a landlord must return the deposit or respond in writing within [21 calendar days / 5 calendar days, see the note above] after [the event listed in the note above].
Statute says
Limit on security deposit amount. No Landlord may demand, charge, accept, or retain from a Tenant more than a single month's Rent as a security deposit. (b) Pre-paid Rent limitation. No Landlord may demand, charge, accept, or retain from a Tenant pre-paid Rent in an amount that exceeds the equivalent of a single month's Rent. This provision should not be read to prohibit a Landlord from demanding, charging, accepting, or retaining a security deposit, pet deposit, and/or application fees.
What this means
The Tenant Protections Ordinance, effective May 14, 2026, caps the security deposit at one month's rent and prepaid rent at one month, with a one-month extra deposit or prepayment allowed if the application could be denied under the screening rules. Pet deposits and application fees remain allowed. State 504B.178 still governs return, interest, and itemization.
Source accessed: . Verified by: grok, codex, claude.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsey County | Minnesota District Court, Second Judicial District - Conciliation Court, St. Paul | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
FAQ
What does St. Paul add to state deposit law?
The Tenant Protections Ordinance, effective May 14, 2026, caps the security deposit at one month's rent and prepaid rent at one month, with a one-month extra deposit or prepayment allowed if the application could be denied under the screening rules. Pet deposits and application fees remain allowed. State 504B.178 still governs return, interest, and itemization.
What is the ordinance return deadline?
Not found in the ordinance text reviewed
Who does the ordinance cover?
Residential rental housing in Saint Paul, affordable and market-rate. Security-deposit and prepaid-rent limits apply to both.