A U.S. District Court judge dismissed on Aug. 19 a lawsuit filed against the cities of Apple Valley and Bloomington, as he determined that the cities’ short-term rental ordinances did not violate the fifth and 14th amendments of the Constitution.
Burnsville resident Connie Toupin filed the lawsuit in June 2025 claiming that the cities’ bans on residential rentals under 30 days deprived her from financially benefiting from her properties and was a violation of the “Takings Clause” of the Constitution, which requires the government to “pay for what it takes.” She contended that if the government is depriving her of her ability to share her home through the popular short-term leasing industry bolstered by the likes of Airbnb and Vrbo, she is entitled to compensation.
Judge Patrick Schlitz disagreed, noting that Toupin retained the ability to rent her properties while abiding by the 30-day minimum, and furthermore she retained the right to own and profit from her renovation investments through increased property value and a potential increased sale price…