Selling a house in South St. Paul, MN: what the city requires
Dakota County, Minnesota · Last checked November 2026
South St. Paul requires a Time-of-Sale evaluation by a city-licensed private evaluator, plus a city filing fee.
What South St. Paul requires
Time-of-Sale evaluation
- Who does it
- Private evaluator licensed by the city.
- Cost
- Evaluator fee plus a $35 city filing fee, per a third-party guide.
- Applies to
- Single-family, duplex, multiple family and mobile homes.
Who to call
City of South St. Paul
Official page
Housing in South St. Paul
- Median year homes were built
- 1958
- Median home value
- $281,600
- Owner-occupied homes
- 5,871 of 8,425 (70%)
- Total housing units
- 8,639
With half the homes built by 1958, inspectors here commonly flag older wiring, missing GFCI outlets, handrails, and worn exteriors. Fix the cheap items before the inspection.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for South St. Paul city, Dakota County, Minnesota.
Need this done in South St. Paul?
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How the truth-in-sale of housing / time-of-sale process works
Several Twin Cities suburbs require a housing evaluation before a home is marketed. Some use city-licensed private evaluators. Others send a city inspector. The report is shown to buyers, and some items must be repaired.
- Hire a licensed evaluator, or schedule the city inspection, before you list.
- Display the report at showings and give it to buyers.
- Fix required items, which are usually safety hazards.
- If repairs are not done by closing, the buyer usually signs a form accepting responsibility and finishes them within a set time.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Evaluation or city inspection | $150 to $400 |
Read the full truth-in-sale of housing / time-of-sale guide
If the house fails
You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.
Frequently asked questions
What does South St. Paul require before I sell my house?
South St. Paul requires a Time-of-Sale evaluation by a city-licensed private evaluator, plus a city filing fee.
How much does the time-of-sale evaluation cost in South St. Paul?
Evaluator fee plus a $35 city filing fee, per a third-party guide. Typical related costs: evaluation or city inspection $150 to $400.
What if my house fails?
You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.
Who pays, the buyer or the seller?
The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.
How old are the homes in South St. Paul?
The median home in South St. Paul was built in 1958, and the median home value is $281,600, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: Twin Cities
- Apple Valley No point-of-sale rule
- Blaine No point-of-sale rule
- Bloomington Required at sale
- Brooklyn Center No point-of-sale rule
- Brooklyn Park No point-of-sale rule
- Burnsville No point-of-sale rule
- Columbia Heights Required at sale
- Coon Rapids No point-of-sale rule
- Eagan No point-of-sale rule
- Inver Grove Heights No point-of-sale rule
- Lakeville No point-of-sale rule
- West St. Paul Required at sale
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Sources
- Structure Tech, Minnesota cities requiring Truth-in-Housing / Time-of-Sale (reviewed Feb. 26, 2026)
- TruthInHousing.com, city requirement sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25035, B25077, B25003, B25001)
Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.