foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Blue Earth County, MN — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) - Food, Pools, and Lodging Services (restaurants/food service); Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) (grocery/retail food). Blue Earth County is NOT a delegated licensing agency - the state licenses directly. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food and Beverage Establishment License (MDH)
License fee $185 (Category 1 / low risk), $430 (Category 2 / medium risk), or $670 (Category 3 / high risk), PLUS base fee $300 + statewide hospitality fee $50 + technology fee $5. Example high-risk restaurant total: $1,025.

Blue Earth County (Mankato) has no county food-licensing delegation; MDH licenses restaurants/bars/food service and MDA licenses grocery/retail. Fees effective July 1, 2025. Source: MDH FPLS Plan Review and License Fees (health.state.mn.us).

Plan review — required

$550 (Category 3 new); $450 (Category 3 remodel)

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit License (MDH)
License fee $75 plus base fee $300 + hospitality $50 + technology $5; plan review $700 (new) / $400 (remodel)

Food Cart license is $150 (plan review $750-$800 new). Special Event Food Stand license $250.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • State-licensed (MDH) - Blue Earth County is not a delegated agency
  • Grocery/retail food handled by MDA, not MDH
  • Base fee $300 + statewide hospitality $50 + technology $5 apply on top of category license fee
  • Fees effective July 1, 2025; MDH 651-201-4500

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Temporary / seasonal event$250 (Special Event Food Stand license) or $150 (Seasonal Temporary / Seasonal Permanent Food Stand license), plus base fee $300 + hospitality $50 + technology $5 where applicableMDH state fees effective July 1, 2025; Blue Earth County is not a delegated agency.
Pushcart / mobile vending$150 (Food Cart license) or $75 (Mobile Food Unit license), plus base fee $300 + hospitality $50 + technology $5MDH-licensed statewide.
Grocery / market with delinull - grocery/retail food is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), not MDH; MDA retail food handler fees not captured hereRetail food (grocery) falls under MDA jurisdiction in Minnesota.
Minnesota statewide rules
Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.
What equipment you need
Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.
Permits & plan review, explained
The stack of approvals before you open.
Sources: www.health.state.mn.us · www.health.state.mn.us · www.health.state.mn.us · observed 2026-08-07