If your property was affected by the wildfires in May, find resources and information on relevant county services here: 2025 Spring Wildfires

Tax-Forfeited Land Sales

 
 

MN Tax Forfeiture Settlement

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.

November 2025 Land Sale Auction

THIS AUCTION WILL BE PRESENTED ONLINE ONLY. 

opens November 2025 Land Sale Auction Book

Properties will be available to bid on at www.publicsurplus.com beginning Thursday, October 30th. Bidding will close on Thursday, November 13th at 11:00 a.m. CDT. Tracts will not be available to view on Public Surplus until October 30th. 

Land Sale Auction Booklet 

Land Sale Auction List

Public Surplus Bidder Instructions

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.

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 8%. 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.

 

September Tax-Forfeited Settlement Sales

Updated 10/7/2025

Properties that have not sold will be available for purchase over the counter, first come, first served, until they are re-offered at auction on Monday, October 27th, 2025, without the residential use restriction.

Land Sale Results

Land Sale Auction List

Land Sale Auction Booklet

*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.

Spring 2025 Tax-Forfeited Settlement Sale Available List

Property for immediate purchase over the counter. Updated 9/9/25.

opens Spring 2025 Tax-Forfeited Settlement Sale Available Book

*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 - Spring 2025 Tax-Forfeited Available List

Property for immediate purchase over the counter. County financing may be available.

Updated 8/18/2025.

Land Sale

 

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 8%. 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.

 

New Forfeiture Auction List & Surplus

THIS AUCTION WAS PRESENTED ONLINE ONLY. 

Properties that did not sell at auction are NOT available for purchase over the counter.

June 26, 2025 Auction Results

May 8, 2025 Auction Results

List of Property Sales with Surplus with Unexpired Claims Periods

Statement of Claim for Surplus from Tax-Forfeited Land Sales

Statement of Claim for Mineral Interests from Tax-Forfeited Land Sales

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 about purchasing former shoreland lease lots.              
          Opens pdf of the Former Shoreland Lease Lot Available Book