How to Start a Food Truck in Minnesota (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a food truck in Minnesota involves navigating a split-jurisdiction licensing system between the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), plus separate city permits in each municipality where you operate. A mobile food unit license from MDH costs about $205/year, but operating in Minneapolis adds roughly $900 for a city license plus $225+ for Hennepin County. You’ll also need a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff, a signed commissary agreement, and plan review approval before you can start. Minnesota’s food licensing system was modernized in 2025 – all mobile food licenses convert to “Food Handler” licenses on April 1, 2026. This guide covers every requirement from official state and local sources.

Food Truck Requirements in Minnesota at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	Secretary of State	$155 (online)	3-5 business days
Mobile Food Unit License	MDH	~$205/year	30+ days (plan review required)
Food Handler License	MDA	$50 initial + annual fee	Varies by risk level
CFPM Certification	MDH	$35 + exam fee	3-year certification
Minneapolis City License	City of Minneapolis	~$900/year	Plan review required
Hennepin County License	Hennepin County	~$225+/year	Discounted with MDH license
Sales Tax Registration	Dept. of Revenue	Free	Immediate
General Liability Insurance	Private Carrier	$500-$2,000/year	$1M minimum required by cities
Commercial Auto Insurance	Private Carrier	$1,200-$3,000/year	Before operating

How to Start a Food Truck in Minnesota (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business and Register for Taxes

Register an LLC with the Minnesota Secretary of State ($155 online). Apply for a free federal EIN from the IRS. Register for a Minnesota Sales and Use Tax ID through the Department of Revenue. All prepared food sold by food trucks is taxable at the 6.875% state rate plus local additions (combined rates: Minneapolis ~9.03%, St. Paul ~9.88%).

Step 2: Secure a Commissary Kitchen

Minnesota requires a signed agreement with a licensed commissary kitchen, even if you cook everything on your truck. The commissary serves as your base of operations for food preparation, storage, dishwashing, water filling, and wastewater disposal. Food must NOT be stored or prepared in a private home. In Minneapolis, all food must be prepared at a licensed kitchen within city limits. Your commissary arrangement must be documented in your plan review submission.

Step 3: Get Your Vehicle Ready and Submit Plans

Before construction or purchasing your food truck, submit plans to MDH or the delegated local authority at least 30 days before beginning construction. Plans must include your intended menu, food volume, equipment layout, water supply capacity, and wastewater holding system. Key vehicle requirements:

All equipment must meet NSF International food service standards
Mechanical refrigeration required for potentially hazardous food
Wastewater holding tank must be at least 15% larger than the fresh water tank
2A:10BC fire extinguisher required; Class K also needed if using deep fryers
Propane tanks: maximum 200 lbs, must be securely mounted with commercial-certified hoses
Must comply with Minnesota State Mechanical Code and Electrical Code

Step 4: Obtain State Licenses

MDH Mobile Food Unit License: For food trucks that cook and serve food on-site – $150/year plus $50 Statewide Hospitality Fee plus $5 technology fee (total ~$205/year). A mobile food unit can operate no more than 21 days annually at any one location unless at the site of a permanent licensed business.

MDA Food Handler License: For prepackaged food operations – $50 initial application plus annual fee based on gross sales and risk level, plus 5% surcharge. As of April 1, 2026, all mobile food licenses convert to the unified “Food Handler” license category.

Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM): Required on staff. Pass an ANSI-CFP accredited exam (e.g., ServSafe), then apply through MDH for $35. Certification is valid for 3 years. Renewal requires 4 Continuing Education Units in food safety (no retest needed).

Step 5: Get City and County Permits

Food trucks operating in different municipalities need separate local permits in each jurisdiction. Several counties (Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington) have delegation agreements and handle their own licensing.

Minneapolis

City food truck license: ~$900/year
Operating hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (midnight max, 10:00 p.m. within 300 feet of residential)
Cannot operate within 100 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant on the same block (waivable with consent)
Maximum 21 days per year at any single location
Proof of $1 million liability insurance required
Food containers must be reusable, recyclable, or compostable
Separate permit needed for Minneapolis Parks

St. Paul

Mobile Retail License from Department of Safety and Inspections
Proof of $1 million general liability and auto insurance required
Workers’ comp certificate required
Vehicle inspection by DSI
Allowed in zones T2, T3, T4, B2, B3, B4, B5, IT, I1, I2
Written permission from commercial property owner needed

Step 6: Get Insurance and Start Operating

General liability: Minimum $1,000,000 required by both Minneapolis and St. Paul ($500-$2,000/year). Commercial auto insurance: Required by Minnesota law – state minimum $30,000/$60,000/$10,000 ($1,200-$3,000/year). Workers’ compensation: Mandatory from your first employee. Combined food truck insurance bundles typically run $2,000-$5,000/year.

Cost to Start a Food Truck in Minnesota

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation	$155	One-time (online), free annual renewal
MDH Mobile Food Unit License	~$205/year	$150 license + $50 hospitality + $5 tech fee
MDA Food Handler License	$50+ initial	Annual fee varies by sales/risk
CFPM Certification	$35 + ~$60 exam	Valid 3 years, 4 CEUs to renew
Minneapolis City License	~$900/year	If operating in Minneapolis
Hennepin County License	~$225+/year	Discounted with MDH license
General Liability Insurance ($1M)	$500-$2,000/year	Required by cities
Commercial Auto Insurance	$1,200-$3,000/year	State minimum required
Food Truck Vehicle	$50,000-$150,000	New; used trucks $20,000-$60,000
Commissary Kitchen Rental	$500-$1,500/month	Required base of operations
Initial Food & Supplies	$1,000-$3,000	Inventory, smallwares, packaging

Estimated total startup cost: $55,000-$165,000+ (including vehicle purchase; $25,000-$75,000 with used truck)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What licenses do I need for a food truck in Minnesota?

At minimum: a Mobile Food Unit license from MDH (~$205/year) and/or a Food Handler license from MDA ($50+ initial). You also need a CFPM certification ($35), plus separate city and county permits for each municipality where you operate. Minneapolis charges ~$900/year for a city food truck license.

Do I need a commissary kitchen in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota requires a signed agreement with a licensed commercial kitchen for food prep, storage, water filling, and wastewater disposal – even if you cook everything on board. Food cannot be stored or prepared in a private home.

How long can a food truck stay in one location in Minnesota?

Under state rules, a mobile food unit can operate no more than 21 days annually at any one location, unless at the site of a permanent licensed business. Minneapolis enforces the same 21-day rule per location per year.

Is prepared food taxable in Minnesota?

Yes. All prepared food is subject to the 6.875% state sales tax plus local additions. Combined rates: Minneapolis ~9.03%, St. Paul ~9.88%. Unprepared grocery items are generally exempt.

How much does it cost to start a food truck in Minnesota?

Total startup costs range from $55,000-$165,000+ with a new truck, or $25,000-$75,000 with a used truck. Annual licensing costs for a Minneapolis-based operation total approximately $3,200-$6,700 including state, county, and city licenses plus insurance.

What changed with Minnesota food licensing in 2025-2026?

Minnesota modernized its food licensing system effective August 1, 2025, combining multiple license classifications into a single “Food Handler” license. All existing mobile food licenses automatically convert to Food Handler licenses on April 1, 2026. The underlying food safety regulations remain unchanged.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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