Local permits & fees

Wright County, MN — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Food, Pools & Lodging Services (Wright County is licensed directly by MDH - NOT a delegated agency) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food & Beverage Service Establishment License (MDH)
Annual = $300.00 base fee + risk category: Category 1/low-risk +$185.00 (total $485.00); Category 2/medium-risk +$430.00 (total $730.00); Category 3/high-risk +$670.00 (total $970.00). Plus a $50.00 statewide hospitality fee and a $5.00 technology fee per licensed activity. (MN Stat 157.16, amended 2025.)

MDH licenses restaurants/food service directly in Wright County (confirmed 'Wright County - MDH' in MDH contacts list). Grocery/retail markets are licensed separately by the MN Dept of Agriculture (MDA). Additional food service location +$250; HACCP verification +$225.

Plan review — required

null - Plan review approval is required before an MDH license is issued (per MN Stat 157.16 subd 1); MDH's FPLS plan-review fee schedule applies but the specific dollar amount was not captured.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit / Food Cart License (MDH)
$450.00 = $300.00 base fee + $150.00 (food cart / mobile food unit / seasonal stand category, MN Stat 157.16(d)(4)); plus $50.00 statewide hospitality fee and $5.00 technology fee.

Statewide statutory fee set by MN Stat 157.16; collected by MDH for Wright County. $100 penalty for operating a mobile unit without a license (up to 30 days).

Watch out for

  • Wright County is NOT a delegated agency - the Minnesota Dept of Health licenses food/restaurants directly (verified in MDH's State & Local FPL Contacts).
  • Minnesota food/beverage license fees are set statewide by statute (MN Stat 157.16), so the amounts are identical whether MDH or a delegated agency collects them.
  • Jurisdiction split: MDH = restaurants/food service; MN Dept of Agriculture = grocery/retail markets/food processing.
  • Every establishment also pays a $50 statewide hospitality fee and a $5 technology fee annually per licensed activity.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
CatererLicensed as a food & beverage service establishment: $300.00 base + risk category (Cat 1 $185 / Cat 2 $430 / Cat 3 $670) + $50 hospitality + $5 technology. (MN Stat 157.16, MDH.)Catering treated as food service by MDH.
Bar / limited food service$485.00 total ($300 base + Category 1 low-risk $185) + $50 hospitality + $5 technology, per MN Stat 157.16.Higher category applies if TCS food prep is involved.
Grocery / market with delinull - Grocery stores and retail markets are licensed by the MN Dept of Agriculture (MDA), not MDH / Wright County.MN split: MDH = restaurants/food service; MDA = grocery/retail markets.
Temporary / seasonal event$75.00 flat (special event food stand); seasonal temporary or seasonal permanent food stand $150.00 category + $300 base, per MN Stat 157.16.Special event stands are exempt from the base fee and plan review.
Pushcart / mobile vending$450.00 ($300 base + $150 food cart/mobile food unit category) + $50 hospitality + $5 technology, per MN Stat 157.16.$100 penalty for operating a mobile unit without a license (up to 30 days).
Sources: www.revisor.mn.gov · www.health.state.mn.us · www.health.state.mn.us · www.health.state.mn.us · observed 2026-08-07