Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
Washington County food-facility health permits run about $723–$1,087 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $152. Confirm the exact amount with Washington County Department of Public Health & Environment (Twin Cities east-metro county; a delegated food-licensing authority that licenses and inspects food service establishments under the Minnesota Food Code and the Washington County Food Ordinance). Grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat processing and candy-making businesses are licensed by the Minnesota 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 Washington County Department of Public Health & Environment (Twin Cities east-metro county; a delegated food-licensing authority that licenses and inspects food service establishments under the Minnesota Food Code and the Washington County Food Ordinance). Grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat processing and candy-making businesses are licensed by the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA). issues the health permit.
About 428 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 278,936. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Washington County is a delegated local licensing authority; it licenses/inspects food service places directly; Additional types: Limited Food Establishment $481.00; Congregate Dining $481.00; Seasonal Concession Stand $500.00
MDH/MDA (and delegated programs) inspect under the Minnesota Food Code; no letter grade or score. Minnesota generally does not post results online — reports available on request.
Mobile units licensed by any agency other than the MN Dept; of Agriculture must obtain a Washington County license; A commissary/base of operations is required
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | Caterer/Commissary: $1,087.00 (under 18 employees) / $838.00 (18+ employees) | County breaks out Caterer/Commissary as a combined license class; higher fee is for the smaller (under 18 employees) operation |
| Commissary / central preparation kitchen | Caterer/Commissary: $1,087.00 (under 18 employees) / $838.00 (18+ employees) | Commissary is licensed on the same combined Caterer/Commissary line |
| Bakery / food processing | bakeries and food processing are licensed by the Minnesota Dept; of Agriculture (MDA), not Washington County | Retail food (bakery/processing) = MDA jurisdiction in Minnesota |
| Bar / limited food service | Limited Food Establishment $481.00 (prepackaged items, beverages, or catered foods); Congregate Dining $481.00 | The county breaks out a flat-fee Limited Food Establishment class for beverage/limited-food operations |
| Grocery / market with deli | grocery stores, convenience stores and markets are licensed by the Minnesota Dept; of Agriculture (MDA), not Washington County | Retail food (grocery) = MDA jurisdiction in Minnesota |
| Temporary / seasonal event | Seasonal Temporary Food Stand $174.00; Seasonal Food Establishment $670.00 (under 18) / $604.00 (18+); Seasonal Concession Stand $500.00 | Seasonal = closed 5+ consecutive months per year |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | Mobile Food Unit $174.00; Food Cart $174.00; Catering Food Vehicle $104.00 each (maximum $516.00 for five) | Mobile units licensed by an agency other than MDA must obtain a Washington County license; a commissary is required |
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.
Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Washington County with its neighbors.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Official plan-check requirements: plan-check guide →