• Become familiar with the regulations that apply to wholesale food manufacturing, processing, and warehousing operations. The regulations for Minnesota have been adopted by reference from the Federal regulations - Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 21. The specific regulation that applies is Part 117, Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP), but additional parts may also apply depending on the products produced or processes covered in your business.
  • Specialized processes such as low acid canned foods, acidified foods, seafood, juice, and bottled water, have numerous additional requirements that must be followed.
  • The facility in which you will operate, and the equipment used must meet some basic requirements. For more information, view the requirements in 21 CFR 117.
Regulations
  • Become familiar with the regulations that apply to wholesale food manufacturing, processing, and warehousing operations. The regulations for Minnesota have been adopted by reference from the Federal regulations - Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 21. The specific regulation that applies is Part 117, Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP), but additional parts may also apply depending on the products produced or processes covered in your business.
  • Specialized processes such as low acid canned foods, acidified foods, seafood, juice, and bottled water, have numerous additional requirements that must be followed.
  • The facility in which you will operate, and the equipment used must meet some basic requirements. For more information, view the requirements in 21 CFR 117.
No
  • Water from a source other than a public water supply must be evaluated and approved by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) before licensing. Getting a private well approved as a water source requires an evaluation, which may be requested from the Minnesota Department of Health. They will review well construction records, water testing results, and well isolation distances when making this determination. A preliminary evaluation may be completed by your MDA Inspector before the MDH evaluation. 
  • Contact the Minnesota Department of Health, Drinking Water Protection Program for more information (Phone: 651.201.4700 or email: Health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us).
Water Source
  • Water from a source other than a public water supply must be evaluated and approved by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) before licensing. Getting a private well approved as a water source requires an evaluation, which may be requested from the Minnesota Department of Health. They will review well construction records, water testing results, and well isolation distances when making this determination. A preliminary evaluation may be completed by your MDA Inspector before the MDH evaluation. 
  • Contact the Minnesota Department of Health, Drinking Water Protection Program for more information (Phone: 651.201.4700 or email: Health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us).
No
  • All businesses in Minnesota, including those in rural areas, must comply with local zoning requirements. Requirements will state what types of activities may be carried out in certain geographical areas. For example, many zoning ordinances prohibit commercial establishments in residential areas.
  • Contact the local City, County, or Township Authority to determine zoning requirements for your food business.
Zoning
  • All businesses in Minnesota, including those in rural areas, must comply with local zoning requirements. Requirements will state what types of activities may be carried out in certain geographical areas. For example, many zoning ordinances prohibit commercial establishments in residential areas.
  • Contact the local City, County, or Township Authority to determine zoning requirements for your food business.
No
  • The plumbing system of every food business in Minnesota must comply with the State Plumbing Code.
  • If you are planning to build a new food facility, you must have your plumbing plans/blueprints approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) prior to beginning construction of the facility. If you plan to use an existing building, the existing plumbing and any plumbing changes must also comply with the State plumbing code and be approved by the DLI prior to opening a food business. 
  • Contact either the DLI or your city/county clerk as soon as possible to discuss the codes and other regulations that pertain to your business. Some municipalities have established a formal agreement with the DLI to conduct their own individual plumbing plan reviews. All plumbing installations must be made by a licensed plumber. Contact the DLI's Plumbing Unit for more information about plumbing plan requirements and for a current list of cities that have a formal agreement to conduct their own individual plumbing plan reviews. Documentation of a final plumbing inspection on any plumbing work that was done on your facility is required prior to obtaining a food license.
Plumbing Code
  • The plumbing system of every food business in Minnesota must comply with the State Plumbing Code.
  • If you are planning to build a new food facility, you must have your plumbing plans/blueprints approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) prior to beginning construction of the facility. If you plan to use an existing building, the existing plumbing and any plumbing changes must also comply with the State plumbing code and be approved by the DLI prior to opening a food business. 
  • Contact either the DLI or your city/county clerk as soon as possible to discuss the codes and other regulations that pertain to your business. Some municipalities have established a formal agreement with the DLI to conduct their own individual plumbing plan reviews. All plumbing installations must be made by a licensed plumber. Contact the DLI's Plumbing Unit for more information about plumbing plan requirements and for a current list of cities that have a formal agreement to conduct their own individual plumbing plan reviews. Documentation of a final plumbing inspection on any plumbing work that was done on your facility is required prior to obtaining a food license.
No
  • The building in which your food operations occur must comply with the State Building Code.
  • The building code governs the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings and other structures for which the code is applicable. The code also provides basic and uniform performance standards; establishes reasonable safeguards for health, safety, welfare, comfort, and security; and provides guidelines for the use of modern methods, devices, materials, and techniques.
  • Some communities in Minnesota do not have building inspection programs; however, all Minnesota food businesses and establishments are required to comply with the State Building Code and related local regulations for the safety of both their patrons and employees.
  • Contact the building official in the city or county in which your facility will be located to obtain more information on the building codes and local ordinances which govern your type of food business and apply for the necessary building permits. Documentation of a final building inspection on any plumbing work that was done on your facility is required prior to obtaining a food license.

  • Contact your City/County to determine whether they have a building inspector and/or require a Certificate of Occupancy. 

  • Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Local Code Lookup

  • Overview of the Minnesota State Building Code website

Building Code
  • The building in which your food operations occur must comply with the State Building Code.
  • The building code governs the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings and other structures for which the code is applicable. The code also provides basic and uniform performance standards; establishes reasonable safeguards for health, safety, welfare, comfort, and security; and provides guidelines for the use of modern methods, devices, materials, and techniques.
  • Some communities in Minnesota do not have building inspection programs; however, all Minnesota food businesses and establishments are required to comply with the State Building Code and related local regulations for the safety of both their patrons and employees.
  • Contact the building official in the city or county in which your facility will be located to obtain more information on the building codes and local ordinances which govern your type of food business and apply for the necessary building permits. Documentation of a final building inspection on any plumbing work that was done on your facility is required prior to obtaining a food license.

  • Contact your City/County to determine whether they have a building inspector and/or require a Certificate of Occupancy. 

  • Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Local Code Lookup

  • Overview of the Minnesota State Building Code website

No