Market license

You need a license to open and operate a farmers or other public market in Minneapolis.

About

Minneapolis has three types of market licenses: 

  • Farmers markets
  • Mini markets
  • Produce and craft markets 

In this section

assorted vegetables in baskets

Application and fee

Application

Farmers markets and other public markets in Minneapolis must be licensed. 

Apply for a market license

Submit your application

Submit your application to Business Licenses 

If you have questions, contact Business Licenses

Requirements

Market plan review

You need to submit a plan of your market layout to Environmental Health for review.

Your layout needs to show the market location and the placement of:

  • Vendors
  • Electric 
  • Water
  • Bathrooms

Contact Environmental Health for details

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:

 

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

Green To Go

Two people holding compostable beverage cups

Minneapolis has rules about containers for prepared food

Food and beverages prepared to be:

  • Eaten immediately off-site or
  • Taken to-go

Must be in containers that are:  

  • Reusable 
  • Recyclable or
  • Compostable

Read more about required containers

Read City code rules

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.

people ordering from a hot dog stand

Seasonal food vendor permit

Most vendors need a permit to sell or give away food and drinks at markets.

Request accessible format

If you need help with this information, please email 3 1 1, or call 311 or 612-673-3000.

Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Contact us

Environmental Health

Minneapolis Health Department

Phone

612-673-2301

Address

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

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