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The St. Louis County Recorder's Office is transitioning to a new Land Records Management System. Read this document for details on timing and potential impacts.

Please note the location of the March 17, 2026 County Board Workshop has changed to the Lake Superior Room in the Duluth Government Services Center. This location change will not be reflected in Wednesday's edition of the Duluth News Tribune, but will be corrected in Saturday's edition.

Tax-Forfeited Land Sales

The properties being offered for sale were once privately owned but forfeited to the state due to failure to pay real estate taxes. St. Louis County manages State of MN tax-forfeited properties in St. Louis County.

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

2024 Tax-Forfeited New Forfeiture Sales Auction

Updated 3/4/2026

Properties that did not sell on March 4, 2026 are available for purchase over the counter, first come, first served, until they are posted for auction again in early April 2026, without the Residential Use Restriction.

March 4, 2026 Auction Results

2024 New Forfeiture Auction List

Land Sale Auction Booklet

Public Surplus Bidder Instructions

*Please note: these sales must be paid in full at the time of the sale. Contract for deed is NOT an option.

New Forfeiture Auction Type	Date
Initial Auction (EMV)	February 18th - March 4th, 2026
Unsold tracts are available over the counter until reoffered at auction.
Minimum Bid Auction	April 6th - April 15th, 2026

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.

February Tax-Forfeited Settlement Sale Auction

Updated 3/4/2026

March 4, 2026 Auction Results

Tax-Forfeited Settlement Sale Auction List

Land Sale Auction Booklet

Public Surplus Bidder Instructions

*Please note: these sales must be paid in full at the time of the sale. Contract for deed is NOT an option.

These sales are governed by Laws of Minnesota, 2024, Chapter 113, as amended by Chapter 127, Article 70, Section 10.

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.

Winter 2025-26 Tax-Forfeited Settlement Sale Available List - Available Over the Counter

Property for immediate purchase over the counter. Updated 2/18/26.

*Please note: these sales must be paid in full at the time of sale. Contract for deed is NOT an option.

Settlement Sale Available Booklet

Settlement Sale Available List

These sales are governed by Laws of Minnesota, 2024, Chapter 113, as amended by Chapter 127, Article 70, Section 10.

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.

Winter 2025-26 Tax-Forfeited Available List - Available Over the Counter

County financing may be available. Updated 2/12/2025.

These sales are regulated by Minnesota Statute 282. All properties listed in this booklet forfeited prior to 2016 and are not subject to the Tax-Forfeited Lands Settlement.

Available Property Booklet

Available Property List

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, plus fees. The current annual interest rate as determined by statute is 7%. 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. Certified assessments must be paid in full at the time of purchase, in addition to the down payment.

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.