City of Brainerd, Minnesota
mobile food vendors \u2014 permit requirements
City of Brainerd, Minnesota — located in Crow Wing County. Mobile food unit operators need a city permit. Contact the City Hall for applications.
Minnesota mobile food vendors need a state food license from MDH (or your delegated local health authority) and a local business permit from City of Brainerd. The state license covers food safety and is valid statewide. The local permit covers business registration, zoning, parking, fire, and other local rules.
Pre-fill ready on BiteBase
Downloadable PDF applicationVerified Jun 2026
- Sign in to BiteBase to pre-fill your application
- Confirm health permit status with St. Cloud District Office
- Your state food license from MDH covers all of Minnesota
Documents on file:
Permit requirements
Local business permitRequired — apply before operating
CountyCrow Wing County
Sales tax7.875% combined (includes 0.5% city tax)
Application methodDownloadable PDF form
Who Regulates
Issuing authorityCity Clerk's Office
Food safety
St. Cloud District Office (MDH)
State licenseMinnesota Dept. of Health (MDH) — statewide food license
Brainerd Permit Rules & Requirements
Permit fees: $125 – $175(2 fee tiers)
Permit fees2 rules ▾
- Annual City of Brainerd license fee: $50.00 plus $75.00 Fire Department inspection
- Annual City of Brainerd & Brainerd Parks license fee: $100.00 plus $75.00 Fire Department inspection
Insurance2 rules ▾
- Must submit Certificate of Liability Insurance
- Proof of liability insurance required per City of Brainerd requirements
Workers' compensation1 rule ▾
- Must submit Certificate of Minnesota Worker's Compensation
Documents to submit9 rules ▾
- Must submit copy of Minnesota Department of Health Permit
- Must obtain written approval from property owner or parks department
- Must submit site plan showing proposed food truck location
- Must submit City of Brainerd Tax Clearance Authorization & Release Form
- Must provide Minnesota Tax Identification Number
- Must provide Federal Tax Identification Number
- Must provide Minnesota business tax identification number and social security number to Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue
- Must provide copies of all required state licenses and insurance coverage
- Property owner written approval is required
State agency licenses1 rule ▾
- Must follow applicable Department of Health regulations
Operating restrictions7 rules ▾
- Small canopies up to 12' x 12' allowed, large tent canopies are NOT allowed
- No glass containers allowed in parks
- Sale/consumption of liquor/Strong beer is prohibited
- Amplified entertainment equipment is prohibited
- Transient food units permitted to operate during festivals and community events with city approval
- Sales cannot be made to individuals parked in public street or alley, sidewalk sales not allowed
- Sales permitted in City park when approved by Parks and Recreation Board
Distance & setback1 rule ▾
- Units cannot locate within 300 feet from property perimeter of festivals, sporting events, civic events unless licensed as part of event
Hours of operation2 rules ▾
- Operating hours limited to 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Units cannot be left unattended or remain at location outside allowed hours
Eligibility1 rule ▾
- Primary use must be operating on property for food unit operations to be allowed
Zoning2 rules ▾
- Property within PUD Overlay District subject to Base Zoning District provisions
- Transient Food Units permitted to operate on any Non-Residential Zoning District and specific properties
Penalties2 rules ▾
- Failure to provide tax information may jeopardize or delay license processing
- License may be denied, renewal or transfer refused if applicant owes delinquent taxes, penalties, or interest
Other rules19 rules ▾
- Placement of mobile food units will be coordinated with the Parks Department
- Issuance of permits will be at the discretion of the Parks Department
- If electrical power is needed, vendor must provide power cords
- Applications should be submitted at least one week prior to the event date
- Must pick up all trash and dispose of it properly
- After-hours emergency maintenance contact numbers: 218-851-8455 or 218-513-0172
- Only food and non-alcoholic beverages can be sold
- Maximum 2 food trucks on lots of one-half acre or less
- Maximum 3 food trucks on lots between one-half acre and 1 acre
- Maximum 4 food trucks on lots greater than 1 acre
- Operators must clean around their unit at end of each day
- Must provide at least one trash receptacle with tight-fitting lid
- Operators cannot call attention by crying out, blowing horn, ringing bell, or playing music
- Units must be kept in good repair and order with neat appearance
- Electrical cords and hookups to public utilities not permitted
- Liquids from food unit cannot be drained onto public property
- Generators must be self-contained, fully screened, and not exceed 70 dbs
- Exterior lighting that calls attention to setup not permitted
- One A-frame sign not exceeding 12 square feet per side permitted during operation
Rules extracted from Brainerd's permit application. Verify with the city before applying — rules may have changed since extraction.
Official Resources
Additional Notes
Submit completed application to City Hall at 501 Laurel Street, Brainerd, MN 56401. Contact: [email protected] or 218-828-2307.
BiteBase provides this information for convenience only. Requirements may change. Always verify current rules directly with the city before operating.
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