• A sauna is a small room or bathhouse that is heated to a high temperature and used as a hot‑air or steam bath.
• People use saunas to clean and refresh their bodies and to sweat.
• Steam is often created by throwing water onto hot stones.
• Saunas can be mobile or permanent, and each location needs its own license.
  See types of sauna businesses and which need a license

In this section

• What to know
• Requirements
• Types of sauna businesses

Before you begin

Look at our information about: 

• See list of requirements
• How to open a new business

Disclaimer

Information on this page should be considered guidelines. If you have questions, feel free to contact us.

Application

See what you need to apply

See sauna application

Fee

Find your license fee

Submit your application

Submit your application to Business Licenses

General rules

• Licenses are issued for no longer than one year.
• Licenses cannot be transferred to another person or another location.
• If you need additional licenses, you must apply and pay for them separately.
• Each sauna location needs its own license.
• Mobile saunas must follow rules about hours, days, and equipment use.
• If you place a mobile sauna within 200 feet of Minneapolis Park Board property, you must get a Letter of Consent and keep a copy with you.
• Permanent saunas must use electric heat.
• We check all the information you give us. If you give false information, we can deny or revoke your license.
• After we approve your license, your information becomes public. We do not share your Social Security Number.

What you need to apply

1. Application form
   • Submit the full application form
2. Diagram of your sauna
   • Show where the sauna will be located.
   • Mobile saunas: include furnishings and storage.
   • Permanent saunas: include the power source, toilet facilities, dressing rooms, handwashing sinks, and towels.
3. Business plan
   • Describe how you will run your sauna business.
4. Equipment details
   • Provide documents and photos that show the equipment and its specifications for each sauna.
5. Letter of consent (if needed)
   • Required for mobile saunas located within 200 feet of Minneapolis Park Board property.
     See letter of consent
6. Liability insurance
   • Provide a certificate of insurance showing at least $1,000,000 per incident for liability and property damage.
     See certificate of liability

Mobile sauna

• A mobile sauna is built to move and used in different places.
• It can operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• It cannot use bright lights, radios, speakers, TVs, or other amplified sound equipment.
• A mobile sauna may operate within 300 feet of homes, but only for up to 3 days in a row and no more than 12 days total each year.

Permanent sauna

A permanent sauna is built in place and not meant to move.

Permanent saunas must use an electric stove and cannot be powered by a generator.

Saunas inside other businesses

Saunas within these businesses do not need a license:

• Gyms
• Health clubs
• Hotels
• Spas