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

Before you begin

You can find out the basics of how to start a business and apply for a license.

• See How to start a new business
• See How to apply for an alcohol license

Meet with a Business Licensing inspector

Meet with a business licensing inspector to go over the requirements for your on-sale liquor, wine or beer license. Your business cannot open until you have your license.

Find your license inspector

Review the business license application

You must have a license to operate an on-sale liquor, wine or beer business in Minneapolis.

See the on-sale alcohol license applications

Gather documents you will need for your license application

The application may require documents, such as:

• A proposed menu
• A floor plan for your space
• Your food plan review

Submit all required documents and fees to Business Licensing

Submit your application to Business Licenses & Consumer Services by email, by U.S. mail or in person at the City of Minneapolis service center

Contact 311 or Business Licenses if you have questions.

Steps for food businesses

Be sure to review the steps that may be required for starting and maintaining a food business.

Complete food plan review

You must submit plans for:

• A new food or alcohol business, including food carts, kiosks, and trucks
• Remodeling or expanding an existing food or alcohol business
• Replacing food equipment that requires gas, mechanical or plumbing permits for installation
• Adding ventless cooking equipment or ventless hoods

If you need to submit plans, they must be approved before you start any work. 

Find more information about food plan review

Make a plan to have a Certified Food Protection Manager

Minnesota state law requires restaurants to have a Certified Food Protection Manager at each location. They must be on staff within 60 days of opening.  Certification requires attending an approved food safety class and passing an exam. 

See the Certified Food Protection Manager requirements

Licensed kitchens

You must prepare food in a Minneapolis licensed kitchen. Kitchen options include:

• Institutional kitchen: Churches, or other community institutions like schools, often have large, health-inspected kitchens that are not always in use. They may be willing to rent you space during off times.
• Restaurant kitchen: Some restaurants are willing to rent out their kitchen space during times when they are not open.
• Shared commercial kitchen: This can be a good option if you are looking for some additional business support in addition to kitchen space. Often, shared commercial kitchens are connected to business support organizations.

Review food business rules

Minneapolis has rules about additives, containers and staple foods.

Review food business rules

Be prepared for health inspections

Your first routine inspection will occur within 60 days of opening. We focus on food safety.  Be sure to follow good food safety practices and regularly complete a self-inspection. 

Read about food safety

Business practices

Review employment and business resources.

Business practices

Review employment and business resources.

• Alcohol service
• Employee training
• Managing your business
• Sample employee agreement
• Sample employee policy

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