City of New Hope, Minnesota
mobile food vendors \u2014 permit requirements
MFU registration required; applicant must carry copy while operating. Requires Hennepin County or MN Dept of Agriculture license, photo ID, unit photos, fire checklist, COI, property owner consent, and site plan. Annual inspection applies.
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 New Hope. 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 Hennepin County Epidemiology and Environmental Health
- Your state food license from MDH covers all of Minnesota
Permit requirements
Local business permitRequired — apply before operating
CountyHennepin County
Sales tax8.525% combined
Application methodDownloadable PDF form
Who Regulates
Health
Hennepin County Epidemiology and Environmental Health (Local Health Department)
State licenseMinnesota Dept. of Health (MDH) — statewide food license
New Hope Permit Rules & Requirements
Permit fees: $50(1 fee tier)
Permit fees1 rule ▾
- MFU fee of $50.00
Documents to submit7 rules ▾
- Must submit Hennepin County or MN Dept. of Agriculture license
- Must submit West Metro Fire-Rescue District Checklist
- Must submit Certificate/Proof of Liability Insurance
- Must submit written consent from property owner where vehicle will be located
- Must submit site plan showing proposed MFU location and remaining parking spaces
- Must submit photographs of mobile food unit from front, side, back and inside
- Must submit valid driver's license - colored photocopy preferred
Operating restrictions1 rule ▾
- Mobile food unit operations limited to maximum 21 days without authorization from Hennepin County and city
Hours of operation1 rule ▾
- Must operate between 8 AM to 10 PM except by permission from the city
Background check1 rule ▾
- Ice cream trucks require criminal background check with additional non-refundable $100.00 fee
Other rules13 rules ▾
- Applicant must possess copy of registration while selling products
- All mobile food units subject to inspection once a year
- Food service trucks are subject to onsite fire inspection
- Food trucks with grease-laden cooking equipment must have ventilation hood
- Ventilation hood and duct must have required fire suppression system
- Fire protection system must be serviced within last 6 months
- Ventilation hood, duct and ventilator must be cleaned
- Class K fire extinguisher required in kitchen - one per four fryers
- Class 2A10BC dry chemical fire extinguisher required for general truck use
- All portable fire extinguishers must have current inspection tag
- LP/CNG gas containers limited to 200 lbs LP or 1,300 lbs CNG
- LP tanks must be secured
- LP piping and tanks must be protected from damage or tampering
Rules extracted from New Hope's permit application. Verify with the city before applying — rules may have changed since extraction.
Official Resources
Additional Notes
Mobile Food Unit (MFU) Registration form required (PDF on city website). Food service trucks subject to onsite fire inspection. Must have Business Use Certificate of Occupancy (BUCO). Contact Inspection Division at 763-531-5127.
BiteBase provides this information for convenience only. Requirements may change. Always verify current rules directly with the city before operating.