• 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
  • The building in which your food business will be located must comply with the State Fire Code and related local ordinances. Inspection of the facility by local and state fire inspectors is required. Your business may be inspected on a regular basis to ensure safety of your building, employees, and patrons. Failure to comply with the fire code may result in a recommendation by the fire inspectors to have your building repaired, altered, or even demolished in accordance with the directions contained in their orders. Contact your local and state fire inspector for information on fire code compliance inspection for your food business. 
  • Contact your local and state fire inspector for information on fire code compliance inspections for your food business.
Fire Code
  • The building in which your food business will be located must comply with the State Fire Code and related local ordinances. Inspection of the facility by local and state fire inspectors is required. Your business may be inspected on a regular basis to ensure safety of your building, employees, and patrons. Failure to comply with the fire code may result in a recommendation by the fire inspectors to have your building repaired, altered, or even demolished in accordance with the directions contained in their orders. Contact your local and state fire inspector for information on fire code compliance inspection for your food business. 
  • Contact your local and state fire inspector for information on fire code compliance inspections for your food business.
No
  • The building in which your food business will be located must comply with the State Electrical Code.
  • Minnesota's electrical code consists of the National Electrical Code (NEC) as published by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). Chapter 1315 of the state building code adopts a national standard for the installation of electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat, power, technology circuits and systems, and alarm and communication systems. Contact the DLI to determine if an electrical inspection of your food facility will be required.

  • Contact your State Electrical Inspector for more information. 

    Electrical Codes and Standards
Electrical Code
  • The building in which your food business will be located must comply with the State Electrical Code.
  • Minnesota's electrical code consists of the National Electrical Code (NEC) as published by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). Chapter 1315 of the state building code adopts a national standard for the installation of electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat, power, technology circuits and systems, and alarm and communication systems. Contact the DLI to determine if an electrical inspection of your food facility will be required.

  • Contact your State Electrical Inspector for more information. 

    Electrical Codes and Standards
No
  • If your food business will have a retail componentgloved hands picking up cookies from tray or has a retail store front where food sales are sold directly to the consumer you must contact the MDA Retail Food Program for additional licensing and inspection requirements for that portion of your business.
  • Many firms have both a wholesale manufacturing and retail component. Both manufacturing and retail inspections will occur but only one license will be issued based on the predominance of sales in dollars between wholesale manufacturing and retail. This one license will allow the firm to do both modes of business when inspected and approved by both inspectors.
  • If you have questions about licensing, please contact the MDA Licensing Liaison at 651-201-6081 or MDA.FoodLicensingLiaison@state.mn.us.
Retail Operations
  • If your food business will have a retail componentgloved hands picking up cookies from tray or has a retail store front where food sales are sold directly to the consumer you must contact the MDA Retail Food Program for additional licensing and inspection requirements for that portion of your business.
  • Many firms have both a wholesale manufacturing and retail component. Both manufacturing and retail inspections will occur but only one license will be issued based on the predominance of sales in dollars between wholesale manufacturing and retail. This one license will allow the firm to do both modes of business when inspected and approved by both inspectors.
  • If you have questions about licensing, please contact the MDA Licensing Liaison at 651-201-6081 or MDA.FoodLicensingLiaison@state.mn.us.
No