Emergency: All St. Louis County offices are now open to the public.
What to know when visiting a county building
Information on COVID-19, vaccines and testing
 

Tax Forfeited Land Sales

 
 

Tax Forfeited Land Sales

Tax forfeited land, managed and offered for sale by St. Louis County, is land that has forfeited to and is now owned by the State of Minnesota for the non-payment of taxes.

A list of land for potential sale is prepared by the Land & Minerals Department and submitted for County Board approval. State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources approval is also necessary for certain parcels (on water, mineral potential, etc). Once approved, properties are sold at public auction to the highest bidder. Three public auctions and several private adjoining owner auctions are held each year. If a property does not sell at auction, it may be available over-the-counter, on a first come, first served basis, or offered through an online auction.

The County may reoffer individual unsold tracts at periodically adjusted prices, based on market conditions, to the general public on an over-the-counter listing or online auction until the tracts are sold or withdrawn. Adjoining owners will not be re-notified when such price adjustments occur. It is the sole responsibility of any prospective buyer to monitor any potential price adjustments.

Continuous Online Land Sale Auction

Online auctions continue August 31 through September 21, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. CST (auctions may extend if bids are placed within 5 minutes of closing).

Please note: St. Louis County does not charge sales tax on tax forfeited land sales.

publicsurplus.com - St. Louis County - Land Sales

Continuous Online Auction List

Public Surplus Bidder Instructions

St. Louis County makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees with respect to access to state tax forfeited lands sold. Subject to all existing easements of record and rights-of-way.

Land Sale Auction List

THIS AUCTION WILL BE PRESENTED ONLINE ONLY.

Properties will be available to bid on at www.publicsurplus.com beginning Thursday, September 23rd. Bidding will close on Thursday, October 7th at 11:00 a.m. CST (auctions may extend if a bid is placed within 5 minutes of closing.

Note: St. Louis County does not charge sales tax on tax forfeited land sales.

Land Sale Auction Booklet

Land Sale Auction List

Auction Book Distribution Locations

Public Surplus Bidder Instructions

St. Louis County makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees with respect to access to state tax forfeited lands sold. Subject to all existing easements of record and rights-of-way.

Former Shoreland Lease Lot Sales

Visit our Former Shoreland Lease Lot Sales page for information regarding former shoreland lease lots available for purchase over-the-counter.

Available Property List

Property for immediate purchase over-the-counter.

Available Property Booklet updated 06/22/2021. Please refer to the Available Land Sale List below for current availability.

Available Land Sale List

St. Louis County makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees with respect to access to state tax forfeited lands sold. Subject to all existing easements of record and rights of way.

Past Auctions and Results

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Land Sale Public Auction Dates

Date

February 11, 2021

June 10, 2021

October 7, 2021


Auction lists will be available approximately one month prior to the auction. Sales can be paid for in full on the day of the sale or the purchaser may enter into a contract with the county for a period not exceeding 10 years. The down payment is 10% of the purchase price or $500, whichever is greater. The current annual interest rate as determined by statute is 10%. For those parcels for which there is an estimated volume of timber, the appraised value of the timber must be paid in full at the time of purchase, in addition to the down payment. If bid up, the timber value increases at the same rate as the auction bid-up.