City of Spring Park, Minnesota
mobile food vendors \u2014 permit requirements
Requires city MFU license plus valid photo ID, Hennepin County MFU license copy, COI, workers comp compliance, and property owner permission. Submit at least 14 days in advance.
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 Spring 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
- 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
Processing timeTypically 14 business days
Application methodOnline web form
Who Regulates
Health
Hennepin County Epidemiology and Environmental Health (Local Health Department)
State licenseMinnesota Dept. of Health (MDH) — statewide food license
Spring Park Permit Rules & Requirements
Permit fees: $75(3 fee tiers)
Permit fees3 rules ▾
- Application fee is $75 for annual license
- Annual fee is $75.00 payable by check or credit card
- Food Truck License fee: $75.00
Insurance4 rules ▾
- Certificate of Insurance must list coverage dates and limits
- City does not need to be listed as additional insured
- Must submit Certificate of Liability Insurance (Commercial General Liability)
- Certificate of insurance must be received
Workers' compensation6 rules ▾
- Must submit complete and signed Certificate of Compliance Form for Worker's Compensation
- Workers compensation certificate form must be received
- Workers' compensation insurance not required if have no employees
- Valid workers' compensation policy must be kept in effect at all times by employers as required by law
- Workers' compensation insurance not required if only using independent contractors and have no employees
- State and local licensing agencies must withhold license issuance or renewal until applicant provides acceptable evidence of workers' compensation insurance compliance
Documents to submit34 rules ▾
- Must submit signed 'Notice to Applicant' Form
- Must submit copy of valid photo ID
- Must submit complete and signed application
- Must notify City Clerk at least 14 days prior if operating at unlisted location
- Written permission requirement fulfilled if food truck posted on property owner's website calendar
- Property owner or agent signature required for permission to sell on property
- Copy of ID must be received
- Applicant must acknowledge receipt of City Code Chapter 13 excerpts regarding Peddlers, Solicitors, and Transient Merchants
- City may request non-public data during application review process
- Must resubmit form to licensing authority if any provided information changes
- Must provide full legal name of all business operations owned, managed, operated by or employing applicant
- Must provide telephone number of permanent residence
- Application must be submitted at least 14 regular business days before desired start date
- Application must be made on city-provided form
- All applications must be signed by the applicant
- Must provide applicant's full legal name
- Must provide all other business names used by applicant
- Must provide physical description including hair color, eye color, height, weight, and distinguishing marks
- Must provide current residence, permanent residence, and addresses for preceding five years
- Must provide full address of regular place of business if any
- Must provide all business-related telephone numbers including cellular phones
- Must specify the type of business for license application
- Must provide addresses and phone numbers where applicant can be reached while conducting business in city
- Must provide list of three most recent peddler or transient merchant business locations
- Must provide proof of any required county license
- Must disclose if applicant or agents have applied for license under Minn. Stat. ch. 326
- Must provide evidence of state license as part of local license application
- Must provide vehicle information including license plate, registration, VIN and physical description
- Expired photo ID accepted only with valid temporary permit showing renewal in process
- Must provide valid legal identification including driver's license, military ID, passport, or foreign passport
- Must provide general description of items to be sold or services provided
- Must provide written property owner permission for transient merchant use
- Must submit executed data privacy advisory and consent form for criminal history release
- Mobile food units at city-sponsored or nonprofit events up to 7 days need temporary use permit from City Administrator
State agency licenses5 rules ▾
- Must submit current Mobile Food Unit license from Hennepin County Health Department
- MFU must be licensed by Hennepin County Health Department
- Health Department license must be received
- Mobile food units must be licensed by Minnesota Department of Health and adhere to state food truck regulations
- Mobile food units must be licensed by Hennepin County Health Department and follow state food truck regulations
Operating restrictions17 rules ▾
- Must have written permission from property/business owner to sell on their property
- Food truck posted on property/business owner's website calendar satisfies written permission requirement
- No single MFU shall operate for more than 21 consecutive days
- Address must comply with 100 ft rule
- Business operations limited to maximum of 14 consecutive days
- Individual mobile food unit cannot operate more than 21 consecutive days
- Mobile food units must be located on private property with written property owner consent
- Ice cream trucks allowed to operate within public right-of-way in residential districts
- Trash and/or recycling collection and cleanup must be provided
- Noise from mobile food units cannot exceed MPCA noise standards for nighttime at property line
- Mobile food unit sites must be kept neat and orderly
- Mobile food units must be located on asphalt or concrete surface
- Mobile food units must provide independent power supply screened from view, generators permitted
- Mobile food units operating more than one day must use electric power from principal building, not generators
- Mobile food units cannot occupy parking spaces if remaining parking doesn't meet minimum standards
- Mobile food units may be located in public parks or public right-of-way in residential districts with city approval
- Mobile food units must close during adverse weather when shelter not provided
Distance & setback1 rule ▾
- Mobile food units cannot be within 100 feet of main entrance of any permanent food establishment on separate lot
Hours of operation2 rules ▾
- MFU operations prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
- Mobile food units cannot operate between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. except with city approval
Renewal & expiration4 rules ▾
- Annual food truck license with coverage through December 31 of current year
- Licenses valid up to maximum 14 days per calendar year
- Mobile food unit licenses issued per calendar year with no minimum operating days
- City council may grant extension for up to 45 additional days per calendar year
Eligibility4 rules ▾
- Professional fundraisers working for exempt organizations are not exempt from licensing
- No license required to sell farm products grown, produced, cultivated, or raised on any farm
- No license required for canvassing door-to-door when exercising Constitutional rights
- No license required for registered charitable, religious, political or educational organizations
Background check4 rules ▾
- All ice cream vendors must undergo criminal background investigation and complete background consent form
- Must disclose any felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor convictions within last five years except minor traffic offenses
- Must disclose any consumer protection investigations including type, date, agency, and outcome
- Ice cream truck vendors must undergo criminal background check at applicant-vendor cost
Zoning4 rules ▾
- Must ensure MFU operation is allowable use per Zoning Code at location
- Mobile food units may operate in residential districts, public parks, school sites, church sites with temporary use permit
- Ice cream truck vendors may operate in all zoning districts but must follow operating hours
- Mobile food units permitted in all commercial and industrial districts
Penalties3 rules ▾
- Incomplete, false, or missing information will result in application delay, denial, or license revocation
- $2,000 penalty for providing false information on workers' compensation compliance
- City can revoke mobile food unit license for noncompliance with conditions
Other rules3 rules ▾
- Application materials should be received at least 14 days in advance of event
- Applications received in fewer than 14 days will be processed but approval not guaranteed without sufficient time
- Applicant must agree to defend and indemnify the City for any claims or damages resulting from applicant's actions
Rules extracted from Spring Park's permit application. Verify with the city before applying — rules may have changed since extraction.
Official Resources
Additional Notes
Complete MFU License Application Checklist (fillable PDF at city website). Must be licensed by MN Department of Health. Operations prohibited 10 PM - 8 AM. No single MFU shall operate more than 21 consecutive days. Written permission from property owner required.
BiteBase provides a best-effort summary for convenience only. Always verify current requirements directly with the municipality/authority.
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