Minnesota · 15 statewide requirements covered
Business licences and permits in Minnesota
Minnesota’s annual renewal is free but compulsory — miss it and the entity is dissolved. Filing by post costs less than filing online, and food licensing splits three ways between two state agencies and delegated counties.
What applies everywhere in Minnesota
15 requirements are set by Minnesota itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.
| Requirement | Issued by | Fee | Applies | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Renewal | Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Incorporation | Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division | $135 one-time filing by post; $155 online or in person | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Organization (LLC) | Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division | $135 one-time filing by post; $155 online or in person | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Automotive Repair Shop Licence (not required by Minnesota) | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Barber Shop Registration | Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners | $85 a year, initial and renewal alike | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Certified Food Protection Manager | Minnesota Department of Health, Food, Pools and Lodging Services | $45 certification or renewal, plus a $5 technology fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Child Care Centre Licence | Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families | $200–$1,100 a year, banded by licensed capacity, after a $500 application fee | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Electrical Contractor Licence | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division | $188 every two years | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Food and Beverage Establishment Licence | Minnesota Department of Health, Food, Pools and Lodging Services | $300 base plus a category fee of $185 low risk, $430 medium or $670 high, plus a $50 statewide hospitality fee and a $5 technology fee — or a delegated county's own schedule | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| General Business Licence (local, not state) | Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Mechanical Contractor Bond Filing | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division | $100 every two years to file the bond | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Residential Building Contractor or Remodeler Licence | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division | $500–$700 for two years, banded by gross annual receipts, including the recovery fund contribution | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Sales and Use Tax Account | Minnesota Department of Revenue, Business Registration | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Salon Licence | Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners | $350 initial licence for three years — $250 plus a $100 application fee; $225 to renew | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Veterinary Premises Registration (not required by Minnesota) | Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
Which Minnesota city are you opening in?
We do not yet publish a Minnesota city. The statewide requirements above are verified as far as they go, but a city or county adds its own — a local business tax receipt, a food permit, a building sign-off — and we will not guess at those. The jurisdictions we do cover are listed in full.
Is there a single Minnesota business licence?
No. Minnesota has no single licence that covers every business. What you need depends on your industry, your city and your county, and most of the obligations that matter are issued locally rather than at state level.
The state-level registrations that do apply to nearly everyone are tax accounts rather than licences — which is why they are easy to miss.
Who issues permits in Minnesota?
- Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing DivisionResidential contractor licensing · Electrical and plumbing contractor licensing · Mechanical contractor bonds4 permits
- Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services DivisionEntity formation · Annual renewals · Assumed names4 permits
- Minnesota Department of Health, Food, Pools and Lodging ServicesRestaurant, bar, caterer and food cart licensing · Certified food protection manager certification · Delegation agreements with local public health2 permits
- Minnesota Board of Barber ExaminersBarber shop registration · Barber licensing1 permit
- Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist ExaminersSalon licensing · Cosmetologist licensing1 permit
- Minnesota Board of Veterinary MedicineVeterinarian licensing · Veterinary technician licensing1 permit
- Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and FamiliesChild care centre licensing · Family child care oversight1 permit
- Minnesota Department of Revenue, Business RegistrationMinnesota tax ID · Sales and use tax accounts1 permit
By industry
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.