Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Food, Pools & Lodging Services - Duluth District Office (licenses St. Louis County incl. Duluth directly; not delegated to a local health department). Grocery/food markets are licensed by MN Dept of Agriculture (MDA). · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
St. Louis County food-facility health permits run about $50–$1,025 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $450–$550. Confirm the exact amount with Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Food, Pools & Lodging Services - Duluth District Office (licenses St. Louis County incl. Duluth directly; not delegated to a local health department). Grocery/food markets are licensed by MN Dept of Agriculture (MDA). 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 Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Food, Pools & Lodging Services - Duluth District Office (licenses St. Louis County incl. Duluth directly; not delegated to a local health department). Grocery/food markets are licensed by MN Dept of Agriculture (MDA). issues the health permit.
About 425 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 200,514. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 and Beverage Service Establishment license (MDH)
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How St. Louis County’s permit cost compares
At about $50/year, St. Louis County’s restaurant health permit is about the Minnesota median ($50) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 19% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 45th-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 425 food & drinking establishments serve ~200,514 residents in St. Louis County — one per ~472 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 ~$50 annual health permit + $450 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
State-run licensing: MDH is the administering authority for St; Louis County (incl; Duluth), served by the MDH Duluth District Office (11 E Superior St, Suite 290)
Food Cart: $150.00 license (plan review $750.00 new / $500.00 remodel); Mobile Food Unit: $75.00 license
MDH distinguishes Food Cart from Mobile Food Unit; add $300 base + $50 hospitality + $5 technology
Grocery / market with deli
grocery stores/food markets are licensed by the MN Dept of Agriculture (MDA), not MDH
MDH licenses food and beverage service (restaurants); retail food markets fall to MDA
Equipment your St. Louis 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.
Annual = Base fee $300.00 + Statewide Hospitality fee $50.00 + Technology fee $5.00 + category license fee: Category 1 $185.00, Category 2 $430.00, or Category 3 $670.00 (e.g; a Category 3 full-service restaurant totals about $1,025.00; effective July 1, 2025) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in St. Louis County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Category 3 (food): new construction $550.00, remodel $450.00. Category 1 and Category 2 plan review not applicable
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in St. Louis County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Food Cart is a separate class ($150.00 license); Special Event Food Stand $250.00 license; Seasonal Temporary Food Stand $150.00 license
Who issues food permits in St. Louis County?
Food permits here are issued by Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Food, Pools & Lodging Services - Duluth District Office (licenses St. Louis County incl. Duluth directly; not delegated to a local health department). Grocery/food markets are licensed by MN Dept of Agriculture (MDA).. 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