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Title: Lodging License
Alternate Title:
Description:

Businesses in Minnesota that provide overnight sleeping accommodations are defined in Minn. Stats.§ 157.15. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) licenses and inspects lodging establishments in Minnesota.


Subject: Hospitality Industry
Hotels and Motels
Creation Date: 9/14/2017 9:27:44 AM
Modification Date: 2/4/2025 4:23:26 PM
Agency Name: Health (MDH), Minnesota Department of
Agency URL: https://www.health.state.mn.us
Agency Description: The Minnesota Department of Health is the state's lead public health agency, responsible for protecting, maintaining and improving the health of all Minnesotans.
Agency Phone: 651-201-5000
888-345-0823
Agency Fax: Agency URL: https://www.health.state.mn.us
Agency Address: Health, Minnesota Dept. of
625 Robert St. N.
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul
MN
55164-0975
Division Name: Environmental Health Division
Division URL:
Division Description:
Division Phone: Division Fax: Division URL:
Unit Name: Food, Pools, and Lodging Services Section
Unit URL:
Unit Description:
Unit Phone: 651-201-4500
800-383-9808 (toll-free)
Unit Fax: Contact person(s): health.foodlodging@state.mn.us
Unit URL:
Unit Address:
PO Box 64975

St. Paul
MN
55164-0975
Audience: Application URL:
Renewal URL:
Versa URL:
Requirements:
Definitions


Hotel or motel
Minn. Stats.§ 157.15, subd. 7

If rooms are rented for periods of less than one week, the establishment will be licensed as a hotel or motel. In addition to traditional hotels and motels, some common examples include:

  • Bed and breakfast
  • Vacation home rental
  • Bunkhouses
  • Camper cabins


Lodging establishment
Minn. Stats.§ 157.15 subd. 8

If you rent sleeping accommodations for periods of one week or more, and have five or more beds, your establishment will be licensed as a lodging establishment.

If you furnish sleeping accommodations exclusively to patients, their families, and caregivers while the patient is receiving or waiting to receive health care treatments or procedures for periods of one week or more, your establishment will be licensed as a lodging establishment.


Resort

Minn. Stats.§ 157.15 subd. 11

If your business provides convenient access to a recreational area for periods of one day, one week, or longer, and has five or more cottages, rooms, or enclosures for rent, your establishment will be licensed as a resort.

Licenses Required Per Type of Lodging

A license is required
 for businesses in Minnesota that provide overnight sleeping accommodations as defined in Minn. Stats. § 157.15
Type of business License type required Number of units Period of stay For more information
Hotels
Motels
Hotel or motel One or more units One night or more
Bed and breakfast Hotel or motel One or more units One night or more
Vacation home rental Hotel or motel One or more units One night or more
  • Vacation Home Rental
Bunkhouses Hotel or motel One or more units Up to three nights
Camper cabins Hotel or motel One or more units One night or more
Lodging establishment Lodging establishment Five or more units One week or more
Resort Resort Five or more units One night or more with recreational area access
Lodging establishments, food and beverage establishments, and public swimming pools in Minnesota are licensed by different agencies. The establishment's location determines which agency is responsible for plan review and licensing. To find out which agency is responsible, see the Licensing website. Contact the appropriate agency to discuss plan review and licensing requirements, and to obtain applications.

FBL Plan Review

Plumbing Plan Review -MN DLI (Dept. of Labor & Industry)

Swimming Pools & Spas

Care Facilities


Rules: 4625

Statutes: 157.16
327

Forms:

See Plan Review

License application forms are not available online. Contact MDH at 651-201-4500 for a license application.


Fees: Annual Fees and Plan Review Fees

The cost depends on the number of bedrooms you offer. Each licensee pays a base fee along with an amount per lodging room. If you offer a swimming pool, spa pool or food there is an extra charge. In addition, if you have a well or septic system, there will be an additional cost.

Annual fees include: base fee (highest of any applicable base fees), statewide hospitality fee, and all applicable license fees.

The plan review fee (when plan submittal is required) is separate from the license fee. 

See FPLS Plan Review and License Fees for the full fee schedule.

Establishment fee description

Plan review fee (new)

Plan review fee (remodel)

License fee

Base fee – lodging

Not applicable

Not applicable

$165

Statewide Hospitality fee

Not applicable

Not applicable

$40

Lodging – less than 25 units

$375

$250

$11 per unit

Lodging –  25 to 99 units

$400

$300

$11 per unit

Lodging  –  100 units or more

$500

$450

$11 per unit

Cabins – less than five cabins

$350

$250

$11 per unit

Cabins – five to nine cabins

$400

$350

$11 per unit

Cabins – 10 or more

$450

$400

$11 per unit

Private sewer or water

Not applicable

Not applicable

$60


Other Administrative Fees

        ▪  Late Fee, up to 30 days late - $120

        ▪  Late Fee, more than 30 days - $360


Period of Issuance:

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.


Length of Determination:

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.


Other Info:
Activity: Camps and Campgrounds
Youth Camp
License Detail URL:

Lodging 

Minnesota Department of Health

      


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