Cabin and Shoreland Recreation Lease Program
In the early years of its management of tax-forfeited lands St. Louis County established a program whereby the County issued leases to individuals or groups of individuals for the purpose of placing small cabins (traditionally called “hunting shacks”) on county administered tax-forfeited land. Minnesota statutes authorize such leases for temporary use.
Under this program the individuals obtain the right to place a cabin and associated structures not to exceed 564 square feet or, under an alternative lease, 764 square feet, on tax-forfeited land. Leases run for a year and are renewable. Leaseholders can transfer their leases to others. Leaseholders do not receive exclusive use of any tax-forfeited land except that which is actually covered by their structures. All construction must be authorized by the Land Department. Full time residency is not allowed.
Base annual lease payments were set by the County Board in 2005 at $300 for 564 square foot lease and $500 for 764 square foot lease; prices to be adjusted annually according to changes in the consumer price index. Currently, there are 660 cabin leases located in the woods. Another 278 are located on lakeshore property. Although most existing leases are renewed annually or allowed to transfer to new leaseholders, no new additional leases have been issued since 1990.
Forms
Recreation Cabin Construction and Remodeling Authorization Request Form