Cook County staff report high compliance, data improvements in vacation‑rental program

Andrew Beavers, staff member in charge of the vacation‑rental program, told the Cook County Committee of the Whole on Nov. 18 that bringing registration and e‑permitting in‑house has improved data quality and enforcement.

Beavers said he assumed the role in September 2023 and that program changes since then allowed staff to identify and license properties that previously operated without a county permit. Using 2023 as the baseline, he reported year‑over‑year growth: a near‑10% increase in 2024 and an additional 3.6% in 2025, which he attributed in part to compliance outreach and relicensing tied to property sales. "We had about 15 vacation rentals operating without proper licensing," Beavers said, explaining that enforcement and closer oversight accounted for much of the 2024 increase.

Why it matters: Cook County licenses short‑term rentals and collects annual fees that contribute to program administration and enforcement. Beavers noted the county’s annual license is among the highest in Minnesota and that fee adjustments have affected revenue and licensing patterns.

Key facts and program details: Beavers said the fee history moved from roughly $200 initially to $400 and last year to $600 per year. He reported that 388 licenses were approved in 2025 but clarified 13 were relicenses required after ownership transfers rather than new units. He estimated a 95–97% compliance rate overall. Beavers also described enforcement practices: investigators identify advertised listings, document evidence, send compliance letters, and, when necessary, impose an after‑the‑fact penalty (Beavers cited a typical after‑the‑fact fee of $800 on top of the annual $600 license).

Health and safety: On inspections, Beavers said most county‑licensed units require an interior Minnesota Department of Health inspection; however, about 50 short‑term or seasonal "7‑day" units and some properties on lake‑draw water systems do not require MDH licensing and thus do not receive interior MDH inspections. The county now conducts septic compliance checks and reported more than 40 septic inspections since it assumed that responsibility in 2023.

Public access and tools: Staff described three mapping products — a public facing map, an internal map with more detailed fields, and a beta commissioner‑district map that links parcel IDs to the e‑permitting system for quick license verification. Beavers said a guest information PDF (local phone numbers and emergency contacts) will be posted to the county website and included with renewal communications so owners can provide it to guests.

Commissioner questions and next steps: Commissioners asked whether fees were affecting participation and whether density limits should be considered in certain resort areas. Beavers recommended using the in‑house maps and existing trigger language from a 2022 study (a 10% growth threshold) to prompt future policy discussion. He offered to provide additional reports and to work with commissioners on any density or moratorium conversations.