foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

St. Louis County, MN — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Food, Pools & Lodging Services - Duluth District Office (licenses St. Louis County incl. Duluth directly; not delegated to a local health department). Grocery/food markets are licensed by MN Dept of Agriculture (MDA). · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food and Beverage Service Establishment license (MDH)
Annual = Base fee $300.00 + Statewide Hospitality fee $50.00 + Technology fee $5.00 + category license fee: Category 1 $185.00, Category 2 $430.00, or Category 3 $670.00 (e.g. a Category 3 full-service restaurant totals about $1,025.00; effective July 1, 2025)

MDH licenses St. Louis County and the City of Duluth directly via its Duluth District Office. Category reflects food-handling complexity.

Plan review — required

Category 3 (food): new construction $550.00, remodel $450.00. Category 1 and Category 2 plan review not applicable.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit license (MDH)
$75.00 license + $300.00 base + $50.00 hospitality + $5.00 technology; plan review new $700.00 / remodel $400.00

Food Cart is a separate class ($150.00 license). Special Event Food Stand $250.00 license; Seasonal Temporary Food Stand $150.00 license.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →

Watch out for

  • State-run licensing: MDH is the administering authority for St. Louis County (incl. Duluth), served by the MDH Duluth District Office (11 E Superior St, Suite 290).
  • Restaurants = MDH; grocery stores/food markets = MDA (Minnesota Dept of Agriculture).
  • License fee is additive: base + $50 statewide hospitality + $5 technology + category fee.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Temporary / seasonal eventSpecial Event Food Stand: $250.00 license; Seasonal Temporary Food Stand: $150.00 license (plan review $500.00 new / $400.00 remodel) (MDH, eff. 7/1/2025)Special Event Food Stand requires no plan review.
Pushcart / mobile vendingFood Cart: $150.00 license (plan review $750.00 new / $500.00 remodel); Mobile Food Unit: $75.00 licenseMDH distinguishes Food Cart from Mobile Food Unit; add $300 base + $50 hospitality + $5 technology.
Grocery / market with delinull - grocery stores/food markets are licensed by the MN Dept of Agriculture (MDA), not MDHMDH licenses food and beverage service (restaurants); retail food markets fall to MDA.
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