Food Truck Permit Requirements in Minneapolis, MN

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Minnesota Secretary of State Business Registration

   All formal business entities (LLC, corporation) operating in Minnesota must register with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Filing as an LLC costs approximately $155 and provides personal liability protection for the business owner.

   Official government source

   $155 (LLC filing fee)·Immediate (online or in-person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

   $155 (LLC filing fee)

   Immediate (online or in-person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

2. Minnesota Department of Revenue Sales Tax License

   Food trucks in Minnesota must register for a sales tax license with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Most prepared food sold by food trucks is subject to Minnesota sales tax (currently 6.875% state rate plus local taxes). Registration is free but the license must be maintained as long as you make taxable sales.

   Official government source

   Free·1 week (online)

   Free

   1 week (online)

3. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Food Handler Requirements

   Minnesota food licensing was simplified on Aug. 1, 2025, when the Minnesota Department of Agriculture combined several license classifications into a single Food Handler license. A food truck based in Minneapolis is licensed by the City of Minneapolis rather than MDA, because Minneapolis runs its own delegated food program. Confirm which authority licenses you before applying, and note that Minnesota's food code requires a certified food protection manager for most food establishments.

   Official government source

   MDA Food Handler license fees depend on the license class and are set on MDA's fee form; food protection manager training and exams are sold by private accredited providers, so that cost varies·MDA issues a Food Handler license once the completed fee form and correct payment are received; apply before you begin operating

   MDA Food Handler license fees depend on the license class and are set on MDA's fee form; food protection manager training and exams are sold by private accredited providers, so that cost varies

   MDA issues a Food Handler license once the completed fee form and correct payment are received; apply before you begin operating

1. City of Minneapolis Food Truck License

   Mobile food establishments (food trucks) operating from Minneapolis are licensed by the City of Minneapolis (Business Licenses & Consumer Services / Environmental Health), not Hennepin County. Minneapolis runs its own food licensing program and is not regulated by Hennepin County Environmental Health. A commissary agreement with a licensed Minneapolis kitchen is required, and inspections are conducted as part of the city license.

   Official government source

   $719 a year for a Mobile Food Vehicle Vendor (food truck) license, plus a $74 food vehicle inspection fee ($63 for non-profit trucks; $131 for a limited mobile food vehicle vendor), per the City of Minneapolis License Fee Schedule·Annual license; food plan review is required before opening, so apply well before your intended start date

   $719 a year for a Mobile Food Vehicle Vendor (food truck) license, plus a $74 food vehicle inspection fee ($63 for non-profit trucks; $131 for a limited mobile food vehicle vendor), per the City of Minneapolis License Fee Schedule

   Annual license; food plan review is required before opening, so apply well before your intended start date

2. City of Minneapolis Food Truck License

   The City of Minneapolis requires a Food Truck license for mobile food vehicles operating within city limits, issued by the city's own Business Licenses & Consumer Services / Environmental Health. Minneapolis runs its own food licensing program and is NOT regulated by Hennepin County Environmental Health, so no separate county license is needed. Food preparation and storage must occur at a licensed kitchen in Minneapolis; the license includes plan review and is renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $719 a year for a Mobile Food Vehicle Vendor (food truck) license, plus a $74 food vehicle inspection fee ($63 for non-profit trucks; $131 for a limited mobile food vehicle vendor), per the City of Minneapolis License Fee Schedule·Annual license; food plan review is required before opening, so apply well before your intended start date

   $719 a year for a Mobile Food Vehicle Vendor (food truck) license, plus a $74 food vehicle inspection fee ($63 for non-profit trucks; $131 for a limited mobile food vehicle vendor), per the City of Minneapolis License Fee Schedule

   Annual license; food plan review is required before opening, so apply well before your intended start date

3. Commissary Agreement (City of Minneapolis food truck licensing)

   Minneapolis requires mobile food operators to prepare food, store it and clean equipment at a licensed kitchen, and the signed commissary or kitchen agreement is submitted with the City's food truck licence application through Business Licenses & Consumer Services with Environmental Health plan review. Minneapolis runs its own food licensing program and is not regulated by Hennepin County Environmental Health for food, so no separate county commissary agreement applies.

   Official government source

   No city fee for the commissary agreement itself — it is a document filed with the licence application. Commissary rental is a private cost set by the host kitchen. The related city fees are $719 per year for the Mobile Food Vehicle Vendor (Food Truck) licence, $63 for a non-profit food truck, and $74 for the Food Vehicle Inspection (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule).·Arrange the commissary before applying — the signed agreement is part of a complete city food truck application, and food plans must be approved before operating

   No city fee for the commissary agreement itself — it is a document filed with the licence application. Commissary rental is a private cost set by the host kitchen. The related city fees are $719 per year for the Mobile Food Vehicle Vendor (Food Truck) licence, $63 for a non-profit food truck, and $74 for the Food Vehicle Inspection (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule).

   Arrange the commissary before applying — the signed agreement is part of a complete city food truck application, and food plans must be approved before operating

4. Vending Location Permits

   To operate on Minneapolis public streets or sidewalks, food trucks need a Food Truck license from the City of Minneapolis Business Licenses division, and may only vend at approved street locations. Operating in city parks requires a separate mobile food vending permit from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. Private property locations require written permission from property owners.

   Official government source

   $719 a year for a Mobile Food Vehicle Vendor (food truck) license, plus a $74 food vehicle inspection fee ($63 for non-profit trucks; $131 for a limited mobile food vehicle vendor), per the City of Minneapolis License Fee Schedule; Minneapolis Park Board mobile food vending permits are priced separately·Annual city license; trucks may vend curbside only at approved street locations and may not operate more than 21 days a year at any one private location

   $719 a year for a Mobile Food Vehicle Vendor (food truck) license, plus a $74 food vehicle inspection fee ($63 for non-profit trucks; $131 for a limited mobile food vehicle vendor), per the City of Minneapolis License Fee Schedule; Minneapolis Park Board mobile food vending permits are priced separately

   Annual city license; trucks may vend curbside only at approved street locations and may not operate more than 21 days a year at any one private location

Official Sources

• Hennepin County Environmental Health — Food Businesses
• City of Minneapolis — Food Trucks
• Minnesota Department of Revenue — Registering Your Business
• Minnesota Secretary of State — Business Filing

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