Scott County is one of Minnesota’s fastest-growing counties and a core component of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, situated southwest of Minneapolis along the Minnesota River. Its approximately 165,000 residents are concentrated in Shakopee (the county seat, population roughly 45,000), Prior Lake (~27,000), Savage (~32,000), and Elko New Market, with substantial ongoing residential development driven by Twin Cities metro expansion. Scott County has transformed over the past three decades from a largely rural and small-town county into a full-fledged suburban growth corridor, with new housing developments, commercial corridors, and industrial parks appearing continuously along the US-169 and County Road 42 corridors. The county is home to Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) on tribal trust land in Prior Lake — one of the most profitable casinos in the United States and a major regional employer. Amazon, UPS, and other distribution and logistics employers have established significant operations in Shakopee, adding blue-collar employment to the county’s otherwise suburban professional workforce. Valleyfair amusement park and Canterbury Park (horse racing and card room) add entertainment and seasonal employment. The rental market is active and growing, driven by young families, Twin Cities commuters, and workers at the county’s large employer base.
All residential landlord-tenant matters in Scott County are governed by Minn. Stat. Ch. 504B. Eviction actions are filed at the Scott County District Court in Shakopee. Minnesota has no statewide rent control and no just-cause eviction requirement. No Scott County municipality has enacted a local rent stabilization ordinance. Tribal trust lands within the SMSC reservation are subject to tribal jurisdiction for matters on tribal land; off-reservation rental properties follow state law normally.
Shakopee (~45,000), Savage (~32,000), Prior Lake (~27,000), Elko New Market
Median Rent
~$1,400–$1,900
Major Economy
Mystic Lake Casino (SMSC), Amazon & logistics/distribution, Valleyfair, Canterbury Park, Twin Cities commuter base, suburban retail & healthcare
Rent Control
None (no statewide or local ordinance)
Landlord Rating
7/10 — fast-growing SW metro suburb; strong rental demand; rising rents; no rent control; solid landlord-friendly environment
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
14-Day Pay or Vacate
Lease Violation
Reasonable time to cure
No-Cause (Month-to-Month)
One full rental period written notice (≥30 days)
Court
Scott County District Court, Shakopee
Process Name
Eviction (Unlawful Detainer)
Post-Judgment Move-Out
As ordered by court; writ issued after judgment
Avg Timeline
3–6 weeks (uncontested)
Scott County Local Ordinances
County and municipal rules that apply alongside Minnesota state law
Category
Details
Rental Registration
No county-wide rental registration or landlord licensing in Scott County. Individual municipalities may have property maintenance codes. Shakopee enforces standard building and housing codes. Pre-1978 properties require federal lead paint disclosure under 42 U.S.C. §4852d.
Rent Control
None. No Scott County municipality has enacted rent stabilization. Minnesota has no statewide rent control statute.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap in Minnesota. Minn. Stat. §504B.178 requires return within 21 days after tenancy ends and landlord receives forwarding address. Itemized deductions required. Annual interest at MN Dept. of Commerce rate. Wrongful withholding: up to 2× damages plus attorney’s fees.
Landlord Entry
Minimum 24 hours’ advance notice for non-emergency entry under Minn. Stat. §504B.195. Emergency entry permitted without notice.
Shakopee, Prior Lake & County Growth
Scott County is one of the Twin Cities’ fastest-growing suburban counties, with new residential subdivisions, apartment complexes, and commercial developments appearing continuously along the US-169 corridor and throughout Prior Lake and Savage. Shakopee’s downtown sits along the Minnesota River and has seen significant reinvestment alongside the city’s industrial and distribution growth. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) operates Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake — one of the most profitable tribal casinos in the United States — and is a major county employer and economic engine. Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and other logistics operators have established large distribution centers in Shakopee, employing thousands of warehouse and logistics workers. Valleyfair amusement park and Canterbury Park (thoroughbred racing and card room) add entertainment employment and visitor traffic. Prior Lake is a premier lake community with high-end residential development on Prior Lake itself. The county’s rapid growth means new rental inventory is continually entering the market alongside strong demand from young professional families and Minneapolis commuters.
Just-Cause Eviction
No just-cause requirement in Scott County or any of its municipalities. Month-to-month tenancies may be terminated with one full rental period’s written notice (§504B.135). Minneapolis’ just-cause ordinance does not apply in Scott County.
Minn. Stat. Ch. 504B statutes, notice requirements, and landlord rights that apply in Scott County
⚡ Quick Overview
14
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
Varies - reasonable cure period; immediate for illegal activity
Days Notice (Violation)
21-90
Avg Total Days
$$285-320
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type14-Day Notice to Pay or Quit
Notice Period14 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay all rent within 14 days to stop eviction
Days to Hearing7-14 days
Days to WritImmediate after judgment (24 hours to vacate) days
Total Estimated Timeline21-90 days
Total Estimated Cost$400-800
⚠️ Watch Out
CRITICAL (2024): 14-day notice must include specific accounting of total due (rent; late fees; other charges); landlord contact info; statement that tenant has right to seek legal help and emergency rental assistance; information about financial/legal resources. Court MUST dismiss and expunge case if notice is deficient. Tenant can 'redeem tenancy' by paying all rent owed plus court costs before sheriff executes writ. Eviction records sealed from public until final judgment entered. For leases over 20 years: 30-day notice required. 2025 change: landlord must also send court papers electronically if regularly communicates with tenant electronically.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court or Housing Court (Hennepin/Ramsey Counties). Pay the filing fee (~$$285-320).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Minnesota eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Minnesota attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Shakopee (county seat, Amazon distribution, Valleyfair, Canterbury Park), Prior Lake (Mystic Lake Casino, SMSC), Savage, Belle Plaine. Fast-growing SW Twin Cities suburb. No rent control, 14-day pay or vacate.
Scott County
Screen Before You Sign
Twin Cities commuters, logistics and distribution workers, casino and hospitality employees, and young professional families are your core renter profiles. A fast-growing market rewards landlords who screen well and price to the active suburban demand.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Scott County, Minnesota
Scott County is the Twin Cities’ southwestern growth story — a county that has added tens of thousands of residents over the past two decades as the metro expanded beyond its traditional suburban ring into new communities along the Minnesota River valley and the lakes of Prior Lake. For landlords, it represents one of Minnesota’s more active and landlord-friendly rental markets: no rent control, no just-cause eviction, strong demand, and a diverse employment base that generates steady rental income across a range of price points.
Shakopee: Distribution Hub and County Seat
Shakopee has evolved from a small Minnesota River town into a significant suburban city with a substantial industrial and distribution economy. Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and other logistics operators have established major distribution center operations in Shakopee’s industrial corridors, employing thousands of warehouse, logistics, and support workers who represent a large segment of the city’s rental demand. These are stable, shift-work employees who need affordable to mid-range rental housing within reasonable commuting distance of their facilities — exactly the demographic that fills Shakopee’s apartment stock. Valleyfair, the regional amusement park, and Canterbury Park, with its thoroughbred horse racing and card room, add entertainment employment and visitor-driven economic activity to Shakopee’s base.
Mystic Lake and the SMSC
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community operates Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, which ranks among the most profitable tribal gaming operations in the United States. The casino, hotel, and associated resort operations employ thousands of workers in gaming, hospitality, food service, and management roles, making the SMSC one of the largest employers in Scott County. Casino and hospitality workers generate consistent rental demand in Prior Lake and surrounding communities. Landlords in Prior Lake benefit from this stable, year-round employment anchor alongside the premium residential character of the Prior Lake community itself, built around the namesake lake and its lakefront lifestyle appeal.
Suburban Growth and the Twin Cities Commuter Market
Scott County’s fastest-growing communities — Shakopee, Savage, and the Elko New Market area — draw heavily from the Twin Cities commuter market. Residents who work in Minneapolis, Bloomington, or the southwest metro suburbs but want newer housing, more space, or lower price points than inner-ring suburbs offer have driven Scott County’s residential expansion. This commuter base prefers single-family rental homes, townhomes, and newer apartment complexes, and they command rents well above the Minnesota average. The county’s location along US-169 and proximity to I-35W provide reasonable access to the broader metro job market.
State Law: Complete and Uncomplicated
Scott County has no local landlord-tenant ordinances beyond standard municipal property maintenance codes. Minn. Stat. Ch. 504B governs entirely. Key provisions: 14-Day Pay or Vacate for nonpayment (§504B.285); security deposit return within 21 days with annual interest and itemized deductions, 2x damages for wrongful retention (§504B.178); 24-hour advance notice for non-emergency entry (§504B.195); 68°F minimum heat October 1 through April 30; no rent control; no just-cause eviction; self-help eviction illegal up to $500 per day (§504B.375). All evictions go to Scott County District Court in Shakopee.
Scott County landlord-tenant matters are governed by Minn. Stat. Ch. 504B. Nonpayment notice: 14-Day Pay or Vacate (§504B.285). Lease violation: reasonable time to cure. No-cause termination: one full rental period written notice (§504B.135). Security deposit return: 21 days; up to 2× damages for wrongful retention plus attorney’s fees (§504B.178). Security deposit interest required annually at MN Dept. of Commerce rate. Landlord entry: 24 hours’ advance notice required (§504B.195). Minimum heat: 68°F, Oct. 1–Apr. 30. No rent control. No just-cause eviction requirement. Eviction actions filed at Scott County District Court, Shakopee. Self-help eviction: illegal, up to $500/day civil penalty + misdemeanor (§504B.375). Fair Housing Act applies. Tribal trust lands (SMSC reservation) subject to tribal jurisdiction; off-reservation properties follow state law. Minneapolis just-cause ordinance does not apply. Last updated: April 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Scott County, Minnesota and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with a licensed Minnesota attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
