The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) licenses and inspects food and beverage establishments in Minnesota. Other agencies with jurisdiction for food and beverage licensing and inspection include the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), local jurisdictions (city/county) which have entered into a delegation agreement with MDH or the MDA, and tribal health agencies.
MDH and local jurisdictions which have entered into a delegation agreement with MDH license and inspect lodging establishments (e.g., hotel/motel, vacation home rental, medical lodge, resort, bed & breakfast, etc.) in Minnesota.
Review:
Licensing - Food, Pools and Lodging Services (FPLS)
Food, Pools, and Lodging Services
MDH Licenses These Food Establishments:
A license is required for businesses in Minnesota that provide overnight sleeping accommodations as defined in Minn. Stats, § 157.15
For information about starting these types of businesses contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at:
651-201-6081 | MDA.FoodLicensingLiaison@state.mn.us
Annual fees include: base fee (highest of any applicable base fees), statewide hospitality fee, and all applicable license fees.
*Special Event Food Stands do not pay a base fee.
The plan review fee (when plan submittal is required) is separate from the license fee.
See FPLS Plan Review and License Fees, effective 7/1/2025, for the full fee schedule.
|
Establishment fee description |
Plan review fee (new) |
Plan review fee (remodel) |
License fee |
|
Base fee – food and beverage |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$300 |
|
Statewide Hospitality fee |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$50 |
|
Technology fee |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$5 |
|
Category 1 (food) |
$550 |
$450 |
$185 |
|
Category 2 (food) |
$750 |
$500 |
$430 |
|
Category 3 (food) |
$800 |
$550 |
$670 |
|
Food Cart |
$500 |
$400 |
$150 |
|
Seasonal Temporary Food Stand |
$500 |
$400 |
$150 |
|
Seasonal Permanent Food Stand |
$500 |
$400 |
$150 |
|
Mobile Food Unit |
$700 |
$400 |
$150 |
|
Special Event Food Stand |
Plan review is not required |
Plan review is not required |
$75 |
|
Additional Food Service |
$400 |
$400 |
$250 |
|
Additional Inspection Fee (K-12 schools) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$350 |
|
HACCP |
$600 |
Not applicable |
$225 |
|
Base fee – lodging |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$300 |
|
Lodging – less than 25 units |
$450 |
$300 |
$15 per unit |
|
Lodging – 25 to 99 units |
$500 |
$350 |
$15 per unit |
|
Lodging – 100 units or more |
$600 |
$500 |
$15 per unit |
|
Cabins – less than five cabins |
$400 |
$300 |
$15 per unit |
|
Cabins – five to nine cabins |
$450 |
$400 |
$15 per unit |
|
Cabins – 10 or more |
$500 |
$450 |
$15 per unit |
|
Base fee – Manufactured Home Park |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$280 |
|
Manufactured Home Park – 24 or less sites |
$400 |
$300 |
$8 per site |
|
Manufactured Home Park – 25 to 99 sites |
$425 |
$350 |
$8 per site |
|
Manufactured Home Park – 100 or more sites |
$520 |
$500 |
$8 per site |
|
Base fee – Recreational Camping Area – 24 or less sites |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$100 |
|
Base fee – Recreational Camping Area – 25 to 99 sites |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$410 |
|
Base fee – Recreational Camping Area – 100 or more sites |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$610 |
|
Base fee – Special Event Camping Area |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$250 |
|
Recreational Camping Area – 24 or less sites |
$400 |
$300 |
$8 per site |
|
Recreational Camping Area – 25 to 99 sites |
$425 |
$350 |
$8 per site |
|
Recreational Camping Area – 100 or more sites |
$525 |
$500 |
$8 per site |
|
Special Event Camping Area – less than 25 sites |
$475 |
$300 |
$4 per site |
|
Special Event Camping Area – 25 to 99 sites |
$500 |
$350 |
$4 per site |
|
SECA – 100 or more sites |
$600 |
$500 |
$4 per site |
|
Youth camp – up to 99 campers |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$375 |
|
Youth camp – 100 to 199 campers |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$600 |
|
Youth camp – 200 or more campers |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$800 |
|
Private sewer or water |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$85 |
Other Administrative Fees
▪ Late Fee for Mobile Food Unit, Seasonal Temporary Food Stand, or Seasonal Permanent Food Stand - $60
▪ Late Fee for all other food and beverage establishments, up to 30 days late - $120
▪ Late Fee for all other food and beverage establishments, more than 30 days - $360
January 1 through December 31. The license must be renewed annually.
Establishment licenses in the city of St. Paul are valid for one year from the date the initial license was issued.
You will receive your license in the mail in about two weeks.
Once plans are approved and construction is completed, follow these steps to get your establishment license:
1. Apply for a license.
Contact MDH to request a license application. The license fee is separate from the plan review fee.
Submit the completed license application and required license fee before contacting MDH to request a preoperational inspection.
2. Have your establishment inspected.
Contact MDH 14 days before the intended opening date to schedule a preoperational inspection. The inspection will cover all aspects of your approved project, including:
▪ Equipment is present, correctly installed and operational.
▪ Floor, wall and ceiling finishes are installed as approved.
▪ Mechanical and plumbing installations are approved by the appropriate authority.
3. Post the license in the establishment.
MDH will issue a license after approval. Post the original license in the establishment at all times.
Licensing - Food, Pools and Lodging Services (FPLS)
