City resources

Review and use the City's resources for planning, launching and growing a business.

Step-by-step help

• Start a new business
• Launch your business
• Grow your business
• Run your food business

Training, consulting and financing

• Get free training and consulting services
• Explore small business financing
• Explore financing for real estate developers

In-person services

• City of Minneapolis Service Center
  
  

Minneapolis Zoning

Check with our zoning staff before you sign a lease.

Make sure you open your business in a area that is zoned for that business.

Our zoning maps show the zoning classification of a property.

See Zoning maps

Contact 311 to verify

Licensing

You need to know and follow the licensing requirements for your type of business.

Cannabis business licensing will begin 2025

State license

OCM will issue licenses for all cannabis-related businesses. It will develop:

• License applications
• Industry rules

City registration

• Businesses licensed by the State will need to register with the City.

Next steps

Location

We are developing land use guidelines for cannabis businesses. 

See information about this process

Financing

The State will develop grant programs for cannabis businesses.

See available details

Social equity

OCM will have a social equity division.

State law gives preference to social equity applicants, including:

• People convicted of possessing or selling cannabis
• Military veterans
• Current or former members of the National Guard
• Residents of a neighborhood with high cannabis enforcement
• Residents of census tracts with high poverty rates

See State social equity details

Sewer Availability Charges (SAC)

Ask the Met Council to determine the amount of your SAC fee.

Details

Residents and business have to pay to use the regional sewer system. 

The Met Council determines your SAC fee.

Apply early. Fees can be expensive.

Related links

• Get general information about SAC
• Find out if you qualify for the City's SAC deferral program for small businesses
• See SAC basics for business and property owners and a apply for a SAC determination

Promotion

After you open, introduce local residents and leaders to your business.

Use these resources to find the contact information for local leaders and organizations. 

• City Council members
• Neighborhood organizations
• Business associations