City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota
mobile food vendors \u2014 permit requirements
City of St. Louis Park requires an operating permit for mobile food vendors. See details below.
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 St. Louis Park. 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
Online application formVerified Jun 2026
- Sign in to BiteBase to pre-fill your application
- Schedule your fire inspection
- 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
Fire inspectionRequired
Application methodOnline web form
Who Regulates
Issuing authorityCity Clerk's Office
Health
Hennepin County Epidemiology and Environmental Health (Local Health Department)
State licenseMinnesota Dept. of Health (MDH) — statewide food license
St. Louis Park Permit Rules & Requirements
Permit fees: $50(1 fee tier)
Permit fees1 rule ▾
- Mobile use vehicle permit application fee is $50
Documents to submit3 rules ▾
- Property owner authorization letter is required
- Site plan showing vehicle location on property is required
- Operator must provide garbage receptacle with tight-fitting lid within 5 feet of vehicle
State agency licenses1 rule ▾
- Mobile medical caregivers must have all required state and county permits and licenses
Operating restrictions27 rules ▾
- Sale of animals is not permitted
- Business hours must be posted on outside of vehicle at all times
- Umbrella text and images must be under 6 feet height with 6 foot ground clearance
- Waste must be kept in leak proof, nonabsorbent, covered containers
- Public trash cans cannot be used except for occasional customer use
- No waste disposal in sidewalks, streets, gutters, drains except at licensed establishment
- Operator responsible for all litter and garbage left by customers
- Overnight parking not permitted except under long term contract with specific conditions
- Overnight boarding of pets is not permitted
- Vehicles on public property exempt from overnight parking requirements
- Mobile food units can only sell food and non-alcoholic beverages
- Vehicle shall not have a drive-thru
- All transactions, services and preparation must occur inside the vehicle
- Mobile medical operator must comply with all state and county law requirements
- Mobile medical vehicle shall only provide non-surgical medical service
- Animals must be kept inside vehicle during treatment and under caregiver supervision
- Vehicle must be parked on paved surface unless located on public park approved by City
- Vehicle shall not disrupt traffic and parking
- Lighting limited to vehicular lighting required by law
- Service lighting must be downcast, shielded, and not illuminate beyond 10 feet
- Noise generated by vehicle and use shall not become a nuisance
- No outside sound amplifying equipment, televisions, or noisemakers allowed
- Power generators limited to 70 decibels measured 10 feet from source
- Text and images permanently applied to vehicle as decal or painted image allowed
- Vehicle signs cannot extend above roof or more than 5 inches beyond sides
- Text and images on vehicle awnings must not extend above roof height and maintain 6ft ground clearance
- Hazardous waste must be contained and disposed of per legal requirements
Distance & setback5 rules ▾
- Minimum 6 feet pedestrian walkway between vehicle and sidewalk edge required
- Required pedestrian sign must be located within 5 feet of vehicle
- Vehicle must be located at least 30 feet away from public road entrance
- Must maintain at least 6 feet of safe pedestrian passage around vehicle
- Vehicles stored overnight on private property must be within 10 feet of principal building wall near customer entrance
Hours of operation2 rules ▾
- Operating hours limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Long term contract vehicles must operate minimum 6 hours for 5 days per week
Other rules3 rules ▾
- Applicant must ensure compliance with all other site standards per mobile use ordinance Section 36-820
- Vehicle operator must have written permission from property owner to operate on their property
- Building permit may be required if customer enters trailer during business
Rules extracted from St. Louis Park's permit application. Verify with the city before applying — rules may have changed since extraction.
Official Resources
Additional Notes
Requires Mobile Use Permit for food trucks. Each applicant must present application and valid government-issued photo ID in person.
BiteBase provides this information for convenience only. Requirements may change. Always verify current rules directly with the city before operating.