Food, Pool, and Lodging Establishment Licensing

We license and inspect:

→ Food/Beverage Service such as restaurants, cafes, bar and grills, coffee shops, some shake/nutrition shops, schools, food trucks, food carts, special event food stands

→ Lodging Establishments such as hotels/motels, private vacation home rentals, resorts

→ Manufactured home parks, recreational camping areas, youth camps

→ Public swimming pools and spa pools

We do not license or inspect:

Some types of food/lodging businesses including grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat lockers, wineries, breweries, distilleries, farmers markets/produce stands, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, long term rentals (apartments, homes), and churches.  Church kitchens are not licensed or inspected by any government agency as they are exempt from this requirement. Long term rentals are sometimes licensed/inspected by the municipality they are located in.  Hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are typically licensed and inspected by the Minnesota Department of Health.  Most of the rest (grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, etc.) are licensed and inspected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Horizon Environmental Health Initial License Application Process:

If you are in need of a license from Horizon Environmental Health, here is a summary of the application process/steps

1. Contact one of our sanitarians (info listed at the bottom of this page) for a consultation and/or inspection PRIOR to any change of ownership/purchase of an already existing licensed establishment or BEFORE starting a new licensed establishment.  If you are purchasing an existing licensed establishment, there may be orders that will be required to be completed before your license can be issued.
2. If required, complete and submit a plan review application.  Please see the Plan Review page for more information. 
3. Complete a license application and submit to us along with the required license fee prior to opening.  State law requires at least a 14 day notice before the planned opening for business date. If you are wanting to start a private/vacation home rental, please see our Private/Vacation Home Rental page.
4. Once your application has been reviewed and approved by our staff, your license will be released to you.

What information will I need to complete the license application?

You will need the basic information such as establishment name, establishment location (actual physical address), owner/corporation name, mailing address, phone numbers, worker’s compensation insurance information, and your State of Minnesota Tax ID number and Federal Tax ID number, or your social security number if you do not have a State of Minnesota tax ID number. Workers’ compensation insurance information and tax ID numbers are information we are required to collect by Minnesota law.

If you are applying for a food license, you will need your Certified Food Manager information.

If you are applying for a public swimming pool/spa license, you will need your Certified Pool Operator information.

If you are applying for a lodging or mobile/manufacture home park or recreational camping area license, you will need to know the exact number of units (rooms, sites) you are applying for.

License Application
Fee Schedule