GRAND RAPIDS — The Itasca County Board will host a public hearing for its short-term rental ordinance at its meeting Wednesday, Aug. 14.
The Board hosted a hearing on the first draft of the ordinance in April and received pushback on a provision that would have exempted units rented for six days or less from county licensing.
The amended ordinance does not have the controversial exemption, which the board previously argued was in place to prevent overlap with Department of Health licensure. The current ordinance draft reduces licensing fees for applicants already licensed by the state from $450 to $100.
The new version also removes temporary licensure for units without compliant septic systems and no longer prohibits the use of RVs, tents, fish houses or similar structures. The amendments address additional complaints from the previous hearing.
If the Board adopts the new version of the ordinance, all existing short-term rental units will have to be licensed by Jan. 1, 2026. New units will need a license before beginning operation.
The full ordinance and application drafts can be found on the county's website.
-
Megan Buffington/KAXEHundreds of service workers picketed on campuses across the state last week. The two sides jointly announced the agreement late Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. -
Contributed/Paul Bunyan CommunicationsCooperative Paul Bunyan Communications reported various projects are on track as construction season in Northern MN nears its end, including those in Coleraine and Bovey. -
ElderCircle of Grand Rapids will receive funds for its programming in Itasca County, and the U of M Regents will host a gathering on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe reservation. -
Contributed/MnDOTMnDOT said motorists can expect flagging operations, lane closures and pilot cars during daylight working hours. There may be extended delays, especially during commute times. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe maintenance, grounds and agricultural workers at the U's North Central Research and Outreach Center picketed along Highway 169 on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. -
Contributed/NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory via FlickrThe Department of Natural Resources confirmed the discovery of adult zebra mussels Roosevelt and Swan lakes and veligers in White Earth Lake on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025.
