Sidewalk food cart
What to know
Sidewalk food carts may
- Operate on goods and services corridors or downtown.
- Sell prepackaged or ready-to-eat foods approved by the Health Department
- Be on public sidewalks
Sidewalk food carts cannot be motorized.
The location must be pre-approved before operating.
Application and fee
Application
Sidewalk food carts in Minneapolis must be licensed.
Submit your application
Submit your application to Business Licenses
If you have questions, contact Business Licenses
Requirements
Before operating
Blueprints of your cart are required for plan review.
Example blueprints are available for:
See additional food cart resources:
Food cart equipment
The food you sell will determine what equipment you need. This will be discussed during plan review.
These rules apply to all food carts:
- All equipment and surfaces must be smooth and easy to clean.
- Equipment that touches food or keeps foods hot or cold, must meet higher standard.
- All food and equipment must fit on the cart during use.
- Additional coolers, tables, etc. are not allowed.
- Use only single-use cups, plates, and utensils for customers.
Except for carts with only prepackaged items, a handwashing sink is required.
Handwashing sinks must have:
- A clean water tank that holds at least 5 gallons
- A working water heater
- A tank to catch used (waste) water
- Liquid hand soap and paper towels
Find food cart requirements in the Food Cart Construction Guide
Food cart limitations
What you cannot do
There are a few things you are not allowed to do when using a sidewalk food cart.
You cannot:
- Serve food you made or stored at home
- This includes cottage foods
- Cook on or near your cart
- Fry or grill food on or near your cart
What you can sell
You can only sell food approved by the City Health Department. Here are some examples:
- Pre-wrapped or packaged non-hazardous foods
- Examples include popcorn, candy, canned/bottled beverages, cookies, chips, packaged ice cream
- Precooked ready-to-eat foods prepared in your commercial kitchen
- Examples include hotdogs, elote, sausages, bratwurst
- Hand scooped ice cream
- Hot/cold beverages
- Examples include like coffee, tea, soda, water
Other foods may be approved by the Minneapolis Health Department.
Licensing overview
- Before you buy, build or modify a cart, you must submit your food plan review application.
- Some foods require special food safety training. Talk to your inspector to see if you need to be a Certified Food Protection Manager
- Submit your food plan review application
- Apply for a license after your food plan review is approved.
- Liability insurance and fees are required.
- Apply for a license
- Have your cart inspected by a City inspector.
Food plan review
You must submit plans to:
- Open a new food or alcohol business, including:
- Food carts
- Food kiosks
- Food trucks
- Remodel or expand an existing food or alcohol business
- Replace food equipment that needs any of these permits for installation:
- Gas
- Mechanical
- Plumbing
- Add ventless cooking equipment or ventless hoods
The City must approve your plans before you start any work.
Food safety
You are responsible for food safety. This includes control of food from preparation to serving customers.
See City and State food safety resources:
Record some employee illnesses:
Follow City and State regulations:
More information
Inspection
Your food handling methods determine how often the City will inspect your business.
Disclaimer
The information on this page should serve as a guideline only.
Request accessible format
If you need help with this information, please email 3 1 1, or call 311 or 612-673-3000.
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Contact us
Business Licenses & Consumer Services
Community Planning & Economic Development
Phone
612-673-2080
Fax
612-673-3399
Address
Public Service Building505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 220
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Office hours
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday
Environmental Health
Minneapolis Health Department
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Food Plan Review Team
Mohamed Yusuf
Jim Donovan
Janna Beard
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55415