foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Washington County, MN — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Washington County Department of Public Health & Environment (Twin Cities east-metro county; a delegated food-licensing authority that licenses and inspects food service establishments under the Minnesota Food Code and the Washington County Food Ordinance). Grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat processing and candy-making businesses are licensed by the Minnesota 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 Establishment license (annual, by type; fee varies by employee count)
Food Establishment (Full Service): $1,087.00 (under 18 employees) / $838.00 (18+ employees). Deli/Fast Food/Coffee Shop: $949.00 (under 18) / $723.00 (18+). Note: the HIGHER fee applies to establishments with FEWER than 18 employees.

Washington County is a delegated local licensing authority; it licenses/inspects food service places directly. Additional types: Limited Food Establishment $481.00; Congregate Dining $481.00; Seasonal Concession Stand $500.00.

Plan review — required

Equipment Remodeling $152.00; Minor Remodeling = 100% of annual license fee; Extensive Remodel = 150% of annual license fee; late fee (less than 30 days notice) = 50% of the plan review fee; Change of Ownership = 50% of annual license fee

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit / Food Cart license
Mobile Food Unit $174.00; Food Cart $174.00; Seasonal Temporary Food Stand $174.00; Catering Food Vehicle $104.00 each (maximum $516.00 for five)

Mobile units licensed by any agency other than the MN Dept. of Agriculture must obtain a Washington County license. A commissary/base of operations is required.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • Authority is the COUNTY as a delegated local licensing authority (not the MDH Metro District), operating under the Washington County Food Ordinance + Minnesota Food Code.
  • Grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat processing and candy-making = Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA) jurisdiction, not the county.
  • Caterer/Commissary: $1,087.00 (under 18 employees) / $838.00 (18+). Seasonal Food Establishment $670.00 (under 18) / $604.00 (18+).
  • Variance hearing $166.00 per variance (maximum $498.00); operating without a license = 50% of annual license fee; follow-up inspection $136.00/hour.
  • Counterintuitive but published: fees are higher for smaller (fewer than 18 employees) establishments.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
CatererCaterer/Commissary: $1,087.00 (under 18 employees) / $838.00 (18+ employees)County breaks out Caterer/Commissary as a combined license class; higher fee is for the smaller (under 18 employees) operation.
Commissary / central preparation kitchenCaterer/Commissary: $1,087.00 (under 18 employees) / $838.00 (18+ employees)Commissary is licensed on the same combined Caterer/Commissary line.
Bakery / food processingnull - bakeries and food processing are licensed by the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA), not Washington County.Retail food (bakery/processing) = MDA jurisdiction in Minnesota.
Bar / limited food serviceLimited Food Establishment $481.00 (prepackaged items, beverages, or catered foods); Congregate Dining $481.00The county breaks out a flat-fee Limited Food Establishment class for beverage/limited-food operations.
Grocery / market with delinull - grocery stores, convenience stores and markets are licensed by the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA), not Washington County.Retail food (grocery) = MDA jurisdiction in Minnesota.
Temporary / seasonal eventSeasonal Temporary Food Stand $174.00; Seasonal Food Establishment $670.00 (under 18) / $604.00 (18+); Seasonal Concession Stand $500.00Seasonal = closed 5+ consecutive months per year.
Pushcart / mobile vendingMobile Food Unit $174.00; Food Cart $174.00; Catering Food Vehicle $104.00 each (maximum $516.00 for five)Mobile units licensed by an agency other than MDA must obtain a Washington County license; a commissary is required.
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.washingtoncountymn.gov · www.health.state.mn.us · www.mda.state.mn.us · observed 2026-08-07