Minnesota Statute 330 requires that auctioneers in the state of Minnesota be licensed. Apply for an auctioneer license at the Houston County Auditors Office Office in the Historic Courthouse. All Auctioneers Licenses are valid for one year.

Resident Application 
An auctioneer’s license is required by any individual conducting the business of an auctioneer in the State of Minnesota. To qualify for a license an applicant must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• Resident of the county in which they submit their application for 6 months prior to the date of their application

In order to apply, the following forms must be completed and accepted prior to issuing a license.

• Application for Auctioneer License (must be notarized)
• A Corporate Surety Bond for Auctioneers in the amount of at least $1,000 must accompany the license application. The bond must designate Houston County on the line that reads “bound unto _____”.
• A copy of your valid Minnesota Driver License or ID Card
• The license fee is $20.00 and is valid one year from the date of issuance.

Non-Resident Application 

An auctioneer’s license is required by any non-resident in order to conduct an auction within the State of Minnesota. A resident of another state which issues auctioneers’ licenses to Minnesota citizens on the same or similar basis as the citizens of the applicant’s state may be licensed as an auctioneer in the State of Minnesota, after complying with Minnesota laws related to auctioneers’ licenses. An applicant must establish reciprocity prior to issuance of a non-resident license.  To qualify for a license an applicant must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• Resident of the County and State they are claiming residency for 6 months prior to the date of their application

In order to apply, the following forms must be completed and accepted prior to issuing a license. 

• Application for Auctioneer License
• Additional information required to establish reciprocity
  • If they reside in a state that has auctioneer statutes, we need a certified copy of their Auctioneer’s License from that state as well as a certified copy of the state auction laws as they exist at the time of their application.
  • If they reside in a state that has no auctioneer statutes, they must submit a certified statement or letter from the City Clerk or County Auditor affirming that:
    • The state has no statutes relating to the licensing of auctioneers, and
    • A Minnesota resident may conduct auctions in the municipality or county on the same or similar basis as a resident of the municipality or county
  • A copy of applicant’s Driver License
  • A Corporate Surety Bond for Auctioneers in the amount of at least $1,000 must accompany the license application. The bond must designate Houston County on the line that reads “bound unto _____”.
  • The license fee is $20.00 and is valid one year from the date of issuance

Visit the Auditor’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – 1st Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information.

Permits to hold fundraising events by non-profit groups in Townships of Houston County are issued by the Minnesota Gambling Control Board. More information can be found at the MN Gambling Control Board web site and the forms are provided on the Gambling Permit and Other Forms page of the web site.

Before submitting your application to the MN Gambling Control Board, the application must be acknowledged and signed by Houston County. You may submit in person or by mail to:

Houston County Auditor's Office
304 S Marshall St Rm 116
Caledonia MN55921

Houston County offers several different liquor licenses for establishments outside city limits. Establishments within city limits must apply to the municipal clerk in the city.

Houston County must approve and recommend the License Application to the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division. Depending on the license, the complete time frame from application to approval and license could take 8-12 weeks.

Visit the Auditor’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – 1st Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information.

Tobacco License Application
Houston County issues tobacco licenses for all Townships and Cities within the county.

Visit the Auditor’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – 1st Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information.

Anyone who engages in any peddler or transient business is required to obtain a Peddler/Transient Merchant License.  

All Peddler/Transient Merchant Licenses are vaid for one year and only for business conducted within Houston County.

Visit the Auditor’s Office in the Historic Courthouse – Room 116 – 1st Floor or call 507-725-5803 for more information.