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.

Barbershops, hair and nail salons are licensed by the State of Minnesota

• See barber-related licensing requirements
• See cosmetology and nail salon licensing requirements
• See license lookup and renewal and continuing education requirements
• See State of Minnesota information for salon owners and managers

About cosmetology salons

• You must have a cosmetologist salon license to offer hair services.
• If your business offers skin services or nail services but does not offer hair services, you must apply for one or both of these:
  • Esthetician salon license
  • Nail technician salon license
• Minnesota requires a salon to have a Designated Licensed Salon Manager (DLSM) on site.

What you need to complete your license application

• Current professional liability insurance
• Workers compensation insurance
• Diagram of barbershop or salon floor plan
• Certificate of Occupancy from the City

See how to schedule a Certificate of Occupancy inspection

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