Community kitchen

You need a license from the City to run a community kitchen.

About

A community kitchen is a commercial kitchen in an area not zoned for retail sales.

The kitchen can be used by licensed food businesses to prepare food.

In this section

person standing in kitchen

What to know

Licensed businesses

Licensed businesses that can use community kitchens include:

  • Caterers
  • Food trucks
  • Seasonal food permit vendors

 

 

When you do not need a license

You do not need a license if:

  • The commercial kitchen is used only:
    • For cooking classes
    • By community members for cooking non-commercial foods
  • The location is properly zoned for retail sales

Application and fee

Application

Community kitchens in Minneapolis must be licensed. 

Apply for a community kitchen license

Submit your application

Submit your application to Business Licenses

If you have questions, contact Business Licenses

Requirements

Before you begin

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.

See food plan review

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.

Contact us

Business Licenses & Consumer Services

Address

Public Service Building
505 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

612-673-2301

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Food Plan Review Team

Mohamed Yusuf

Jim Donovan

Janna Beard

Phone

Mohamed Yusuf
612-673-2612

Jim Donovan
612-673-2795

Janna Beard
612-673-3529

 

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S. 
Minneapolis, MN 55415