Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Environmental Health - operating under a delegation agreement with the Minnesota Dept. of Health (MDH). The food type and location determine whether OCPHS or the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA) issues the license and inspects (grocery/retail food is generally MDA). (507) 328-7500. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Olmsted County food-facility health permits run about $700–$1,490 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $85–$500. Confirm the exact amount with Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Environmental Health - operating under a delegation agreement with the Minnesota Dept. of Health (MDH). The food type and location determine whether OCPHS or the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA) issues the license and inspects (grocery/retail food is generally MDA). (507) 328-7500. before you budget.
Confirm the authority for your exact address. Some cities run their own health division, and building, planning, fire, sewer/grease and business-license approvals are separate even when Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Environmental Health - operating under a delegation agreement with the Minnesota Dept. of Health (MDH). The food type and location determine whether OCPHS or the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA) issues the license and inspects (grocery/retail food is generally MDA). (507) 328-7500. issues the health permit.
About 331 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 164,784. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Last verified: 2026-08-17 — we re-confirmed the serving authority, its contact, and that the fees below match the current published schedule. Fee schedules may carry an earlier effective date (shown per fee); local ordinances & amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date? Report an update →
Restaurant / food-facility permit
Food Establishment license (risk-based, annual)
High Risk over 3,000 sq ft $1,490.00
High Risk under 3,000 sq ft $1,168.00
Medium Risk $1,042.00
Limited Food Establishment $700.00 (2026)
OCPHS 2026 license fee schedule; As an MDH-delegated agency, OCPHS licenses and inspects most restaurants (food service) within the county; state MDA licenses grocery/retail food handlers
Plan review — required
$500.00 deposit plus $85.00 per hour (follow-up inspection also $85.00/hour) (2026)
Olmsted County (Rochester) runs its own inspection program under the Minnesota Food Code; no letter grade. Reports not posted online — available on request.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Unit / Food Cart license
Mobile Food Unit $331.00
Food Cart $331.00
Special Event Mobile Food Unit/Cart $50.00 (2026)
Seasonal Temporary Food Stand and School Concession Stand are also $331.00 each
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Olmsted County’s permit cost compares
At about $700/year, Olmsted County’s restaurant health permit is above the Minnesota median ($50) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 99% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 80th-lowest of 81 Minnesota counties by permit cost.
Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.
Local food-service market
About 331 food & drinking establishments serve ~164,784 residents in Olmsted County — one per ~498 residents, denser than the Minnesota average (one per ~519).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$700 annual health permit + $500 plan review.
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
Watch out for
OCPHS is MDH-delegated; call (507) 328-7500 to confirm whether OCPHS or MDA licenses a given operation (menu + location determine jurisdiction)
Seasonal Food Establishment $400.00; Seasonal Temporary Food Stand $331.00; Special Event Food Stand $30.00; School Concession Stand $331.00 (2026)
From OCPHS 2026 license fee schedule
Pushcart / mobile vending
Mobile Food Unit $331.00; Food Cart $331.00; Special Event Mobile Food Unit/Cart $50.00 (2026)
OCPHS is MDH-delegated; mobile operations licensed by OCPHS within the county
Grocery / market with deli
grocery/retail food handlers in Minnesota are generally licensed by the MN Dept; of Agriculture (MDA), not OCPHS
Menu and location determine whether OCPHS or MDA is the licensing authority; confirm with OCPHS at 507-328-7500
Equipment your Olmsted County plan review will check
Health-department plan review looks for specific, code-compliant fixtures. Compare spec-filtered options, then confirm counts and sizes with your local requirements. See the full list in what equipment a commercial kitchen requires.
High Risk over 3,000 sq ft $1,490.00; High Risk under 3,000 sq ft $1,168.00; Medium Risk $1,042.00; Limited Food Establishment $700.00 (2026) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Olmsted County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $500.00 deposit plus $85.00 per hour (follow-up inspection also $85.00/hour) (2026)
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Olmsted County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Seasonal Temporary Food Stand and School Concession Stand are also $331.00 each
Who issues food permits in Olmsted County?
Food permits here are issued by Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Environmental Health - operating under a delegation agreement with the Minnesota Dept. of Health (MDH). The food type and location determine whether OCPHS or the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA) issues the license and inspects (grocery/retail food is generally MDA). (507) 328-7500.. See the department site for current details.
Are city building and fire approvals separate?
Yes — building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals are always separate from the health permit and are often handled by different offices.
Published by Resultex Media Group LLC · Independent & vendor-neutral · Educational only, not legal or engineering advice · Last verified September 2026