Local permits & fees

Olmsted County, MN — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Environmental Health - operating under a delegation agreement with the Minnesota Dept. of Health (MDH). The food type and location determine whether OCPHS or the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA) issues the license and inspects (grocery/retail food is generally MDA). (507) 328-7500. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Establishment license (risk-based, annual)
High Risk over 3,000 sq ft $1,490.00; High Risk under 3,000 sq ft $1,168.00; Medium Risk $1,042.00; Limited Food Establishment $700.00 (2026).

OCPHS 2026 license fee schedule. As an MDH-delegated agency, OCPHS licenses and inspects most restaurants (food service) within the county; state MDA licenses grocery/retail food handlers.

Plan review — required

$500.00 deposit plus $85.00 per hour (follow-up inspection also $85.00/hour) (2026).

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit / Food Cart license
Mobile Food Unit $331.00; Food Cart $331.00; Special Event Mobile Food Unit/Cart $50.00 (2026).

Seasonal Temporary Food Stand and School Concession Stand are also $331.00 each.

Watch out for

  • OCPHS is MDH-delegated; call (507) 328-7500 to confirm whether OCPHS or MDA licenses a given operation (menu + location determine jurisdiction).
  • Caterer/Commissary $700.00; Seasonal Food Establishment $400.00.
  • Special Event Food Stand $30.00; Special Event Mobile Food Unit/Cart $50.00.
  • Late fee: 5% for the first (partial) month, plus an additional 10% for each additional month.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterer$700.00 (Caterer/Commissary, 2026)OCPHS combines Caterer and Commissary into a single $700 category.
Commissary / central preparation kitchen$700.00 (Caterer/Commissary, 2026)Same combined OCPHS category as Caterer.
Bar / limited food service$700.00 (Limited Food Establishment, 2026)OCPHS 'Limited Food Establishment' covers limited-menu / limited food service operations.
Temporary / seasonal eventSeasonal Food Establishment $400.00; Seasonal Temporary Food Stand $331.00; Special Event Food Stand $30.00; School Concession Stand $331.00 (2026)From OCPHS 2026 license fee schedule.
Pushcart / mobile vendingMobile Food Unit $331.00; Food Cart $331.00; Special Event Mobile Food Unit/Cart $50.00 (2026)OCPHS is MDH-delegated; mobile operations licensed by OCPHS within the county.
Grocery / market with delinull - grocery/retail food handlers in Minnesota are generally licensed by the MN Dept. of Agriculture (MDA), not OCPHS.Menu and location determine whether OCPHS or MDA is the licensing authority; confirm with OCPHS at 507-328-7500.
Sources: www.olmstedcounty.gov · www.olmstedcounty.gov · www.olmstedcounty.gov · observed 2026-08-07