9 permits · verified 2026-10-13
What permits do you need to open a retail store in Ramsey County Mn?
In short
A retail store in Ramsey County Mn, MN has 1 permit that applies to every business of this type, plus 8 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. Ramsey County Property Tax Services charges $200 per license, new or renewed; set by the Ramsey County Board under Minn. Stat. §325F.733 subd. 2 (2026–2027 fee schedule) for the precious metal dealer license. 2 of the 9 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-13 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.
Permits particular to a retail store in Ramsey County Mn
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precious Metal Dealer Licenseonly if it applies to you | Ramsey County Property Tax Services | $200 per license, new or renewed; set by the Ramsey County Board under Minn. Stat. §325F.733 subd. 2 (2026–2027 fee schedule) | one year from the date of issuance | 2026-10-13 |
| Transient Merchant Licenseonly if it applies to you | Ramsey County Property Tax Services | $150 per sale location, set by Minn. Stat. §329.11, plus a $3,000 surety bond payable to Ramsey County | one year from the date of issuance, at one sale location (Minn. Stat. §329.11) | 2026-10-13 |
| Food Establishment License (food service and retail food)only if it applies to you | Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health — Environmental Health | Annual license fee by class, as the 2026 schedule labels each row: Class A Food Service $1,598; Class B Food Service $1,125; Class C Food Service $941; Class D Food Service High Risk $757; Class D Food Service Med/Low Risk $630; Limited Food Service $432; Seasonal Food Service (per calendar month max. 5) $103; Seasonal Retail Food Service (5 calendar months max) $201; Class A Retail Food $2,216; Class B Retail Food $1,941; Class C Retail Food $1,388; Class D Retail Food $499; Class E Retail Food $289; Class F Retail Food $201. Plan review: Class A, B and C Food Service and Class A, B and C Retail Food $809 each; Class D Food Service, Class D Retail Food, Limited Food Service and Seasonal Food Service $564 each; Class E and Class F Retail Food $281 each; Initial HACCP Review $139; Equipment Review $140; remodeling of less than 50% of floor space 1/2 of the full fee; Pre Licensing Inspection (change of ownership) In-Person Consultation of existing space $248. Re-inspection fee for any licensed establishment failing a follow-up inspection $250. Participation in a food waste diversion program discounts the food establishment license fee by 25%. An initial license is charged 8.33% of the normal fee amount per month remaining in the initial licensing period (this does not apply to special event food stands, seasonal temporary food stands, seasonal food service and mobile food units or food carts). | calendar year, January 1 through December 31 (Food Protection Ordinance §4.04) | 2026-10-13 |
| Hazardous Waste Generator Licenseonly if it applies to you | Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health — Environmental Health | Annual license: Base Generator Fee – non silver $102, plus cumulative per-gallon volume fees (first 10 gallons $0). Non-sewered hazardous waste, per gallon: 11–50 gallons $6.05; 51–100 $2.82; 101–250 $1.87; 251–1,000 $1.21; 1,001–10,000 $0.66; 10,001–50,000 $0.28; 50,001–100,000 $0.14; over 100,000 $0. Sewered hazardous waste, per gallon: 11–264 gallons $2.02; 265–2,640 $1.09; 2,641–10,000 $0.48; 10,001–50,000 $0.12; 50,001–100,000 $0.08; over 100,000 $0. Total Fee for Self-Audit generators that provide for silver reclamation from spent fixer solution and other identified wastes only (dental clinics, etc.) $102. One-time generation license (fees are non-cumulative), by gallons: under 50 $0; 50–100 $0; 101–264 $102; 265–1,000 $201; 1,001–2,640 $402; more than 2,640 $1,002. | license year May 1 to April 30 (Hazardous Waste Management Ordinance §4.05) | 2026-10-13 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
MN registrations that apply to every type of business
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to you | Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division | $135 one-time filing by post; $155 online or in person | perpetual, subject to a free annual renewal every December | 2026-09-03 |
| General Business License — Minnesota state positiononly if it applies to you | Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division | No fee | set by the city | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to you | Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division | $135 one-time filing by post; $155 online or in person | perpetual, subject to a free annual renewal every December | 2026-09-03 |
| Annual Renewalonly if it applies to you | Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division | No fee | annual — due by 31 December every year after the year of formation | 2026-09-03 |
| Sales and Use Tax Account | Minnesota Department of Revenue, Business Registration | No fee | valid until cancelled or revoked | 2026-09-03 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
How much does it actually cost to permit a retail store in Ramsey County Mn?
There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 9 records listed for a retail store in Ramsey County Mn, MN, 1 apply to every business of this type and 8 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.
2 of the 9 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 3 have no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:
Food Establishment License (food service and retail food): Annual license fee by class, as the 2026 schedule labels each row: Class A Food Service $1,598; Class B Food Service $1,125; Class C Food Service $941; Class D Food Service High Risk $757; Class D Food Service Med/Low Risk $630; Limited Food Service $432; Seasonal Food Service (per calendar month max. 5) $103; Seasonal Retail Food Service (5 calendar months max) $201; Class A Retail Food $2,216; Class B Retail Food $1,941; Class C Retail Food $1,388; Class D Retail Food $499; Class E Retail Food $289; Class F Retail Food $201. Plan review: Class A, B and C Food Service and Class A, B and C Retail Food $809 each; Class D Food Service, Class D Retail Food, Limited Food Service and Seasonal Food Service $564 each; Class E and Class F Retail Food $281 each; Initial HACCP Review $139; Equipment Review $140; remodeling of less than 50% of floor space 1/2 of the full fee; Pre Licensing Inspection (change of ownership) In-Person Consultation of existing space $248. Re-inspection fee for any licensed establishment failing a follow-up inspection $250. Participation in a food waste diversion program discounts the food establishment license fee by 25%. An initial license is charged 8.33% of the normal fee amount per month remaining in the initial licensing period (this does not apply to special event food stands, seasonal temporary food stands, seasonal food service and mobile food units or food carts).
Hazardous Waste Generator License: Annual license: Base Generator Fee – non silver $102, plus cumulative per-gallon volume fees (first 10 gallons $0). Non-sewered hazardous waste, per gallon: 11–50 gallons $6.05; 51–100 $2.82; 101–250 $1.87; 251–1,000 $1.21; 1,001–10,000 $0.66; 10,001–50,000 $0.28; 50,001–100,000 $0.14; over 100,000 $0. Sewered hazardous waste, per gallon: 11–264 gallons $2.02; 265–2,640 $1.09; 2,641–10,000 $0.48; 10,001–50,000 $0.12; 50,001–100,000 $0.08; over 100,000 $0. Total Fee for Self-Audit generators that provide for silver reclamation from spent fixer solution and other identified wastes only (dental clinics, etc.) $102. One-time generation license (fees are non-cumulative), by gallons: under 50 $0; 50–100 $0; 101–264 $102; 265–1,000 $201; 1,001–2,640 $402; more than 2,640 $1,002.
Is Ramsey County Mn expensive for a retail store?
Comparing like with like — only the permits charged as a single flat fee, since a valuation formula has no figure to rank — Ramsey County Mn sits where the table below puts it against every other MN jurisdiction covered here that publishes the same permit.
Precious Metal Dealer License: Ramsey County Mn charges $200. Across 5 jurisdictions it runs from $25 in Washington County to $200 here, with a median of $50. Nowhere else covered here charges more.
Transient Merchant License: Ramsey County Mn charges $150. Across 6 jurisdictions it runs from $150 in Anoka County to $150 in Hennepin County, with a median of $150. 5 charge exactly the same.
Read the spread rather than the rank. Precious Metal Dealer License varies by $175 between the cheapest and dearest jurisdiction here, which is the sort of gap worth knowing before you sign a lease on one side of a city line rather than the other.
Which offices issue these permits in Ramsey County Mn?
Permits for a retail store in Ramsey County Mn, MN come from 4 separate offices: Ramsey County Property Tax Services, Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health — Environmental Health, Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division, Minnesota Department of Revenue, Business Registration. No single office issues them all, which is why an opening means filing in several places rather than one.
- Ramsey County Property Tax ServicesIssues 2 permits on this page: Precious Metal Dealer License, Transient Merchant LicensePlato Building, 90 Plato Blvd. W, Saint Paul, MN 55107 · 651-266-2222www.ramseycountymn.gov/businesses/licenses-permits-inspections/transient-merchant-licenses
- Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health — Environmental HealthIssues 2 permits on this page: Food Establishment License (food service and retail food), Hazardous Waste Generator License2785 White Bear Ave. N, Suite 350, Maplewood, MN 55109 · 651-266-1199www.ramseycountymn.gov/businesses/licenses-permits-inspections/licenses-inspections/food-vending
- Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services DivisionIssues 4 permits on this page: Articles of Incorporation, General Business License — Minnesota state position, Articles of Organization (LLC), Annual Renewal332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201, Saint Paul, MN 55101 · (651) 296-2803www.sos.mn.gov/business-liens
- Minnesota Department of Revenue, Business RegistrationIssues 1 permit on this page: Sales and Use Tax Account600 North Robert Street, St Paul, MN 55146 · (651) 282-5225www.revenue.state.mn.us/minnesota-tax-id-requirements
What does a retail store need in Ramsey County Mn that other businesses do not?
2 of the 4 permits particular to a retail store here apply to no other business type we cover in Ramsey County Mn: Precious Metal Dealer License and Transient Merchant License.
Precious Metal Dealer License
The county's Precious Metal Licenses page states that a license "is required when any precious metal dealer engages in the business of buying secondhand items containing more than one percent by weight of silver, gold or platinum," and that dealers "may include pawn shops, coin dealers and some jewelry stores." A license authorizes the dealer to transact business only at the location or locations it names. Forms are printed, signed and mailed or delivered to Property Tax Services, and the page lists the Application for Precious Metal Dealer License, Form SP: C1 and the workers' compensation certification. The page states: "The fee is $200 for new and renewed licenses," payable to Ramsey County, that licenses are valid for one year from issuance, and that renewals must be submitted 30 days before expiration. Minn. Stat. §325F.733 subd. 2 sets the fee as an amount determined by the board of county commissioners; the county's 2026–2027 fee schedule (approved by Resolution B2025-246 on December 16, 2025) lists $200 for 2026 and 2027. Contact Ramsey County Property Tax Services, 90 Plato Blvd. W, Saint Paul, MN 55107, 651-266-2222 or AskPropertyTaxandRecords@ramseycountymn.gov.
Transient Merchant License
The county's Transient Merchant Licenses page states: "Anyone who engages in temporary or transient business within Ramsey County to sell goods or services is required to obtain a Transient Merchant license," and defines a transient merchant as one who transacts temporary and transient business in Minnesota and hires, leases, occupies or uses a building, structure, vacant lot or railroad car to exhibit and sell goods. The $150 fee is set by Minn. Stat. §329.11 ("a license fee of $150"); the county page and application state the fee is $150 for each sale location, payable to Ramsey County. The statute lets the county treasurer set the bond between $1,000 and $3,000, and the county page requires "A Surety Bond payable to Ramsey County in the amount of $3,000." Applicants also file Form SP: C1, a workers' compensation certification, an appointment of the County Auditor as agent, an itemized and tagged list of merchandise, and a copy of the Minnesota seller's permit or a written statement that no taxable item is offered. The page says licenses are valid for one year from issuance at one sale location within the county and that selling without a license may be charged as a gross misdemeanor. Contact Ramsey County Property Tax Services, 90 Plato Blvd. W, Saint Paul, MN 55107, 651-266-2222 or AskPropertyTaxandRecords@ramseycountymn.gov.
Shared with other businesses in Ramsey County Mn
- Food Establishment License (food service and retail food) — Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health — Environmental Health, Annual license fee by class, as the 2026 schedule labels each row: Class A Food Service $1,598; Class B Food Service $1,125; Class C Food Service $941; Class D Food Service High Risk $757; Class D Food Service Med/Low Risk $630; Limited Food Service $432; Seasonal Food Service (per calendar month max. 5) $103; Seasonal Retail Food Service (5 calendar months max) $201; Class A Retail Food $2,216; Class B Retail Food $1,941; Class C Retail Food $1,388; Class D Retail Food $499; Class E Retail Food $289; Class F Retail Food $201. Plan review: Class A, B and C Food Service and Class A, B and C Retail Food $809 each; Class D Food Service, Class D Retail Food, Limited Food Service and Seasonal Food Service $564 each; Class E and Class F Retail Food $281 each; Initial HACCP Review $139; Equipment Review $140; remodeling of less than 50% of floor space 1/2 of the full fee; Pre Licensing Inspection (change of ownership) In-Person Consultation of existing space $248. Re-inspection fee for any licensed establishment failing a follow-up inspection $250. Participation in a food waste diversion program discounts the food establishment license fee by 25%. An initial license is charged 8.33% of the normal fee amount per month remaining in the initial licensing period (this does not apply to special event food stands, seasonal temporary food stands, seasonal food service and mobile food units or food carts)., calendar year, January 1 through December 31 (Food Protection Ordinance §4.04). Also required for restaurants, coffee shops and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
- Hazardous Waste Generator License — Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health — Environmental Health, Annual license: Base Generator Fee – non silver $102, plus cumulative per-gallon volume fees (first 10 gallons $0). Non-sewered hazardous waste, per gallon: 11–50 gallons $6.05; 51–100 $2.82; 101–250 $1.87; 251–1,000 $1.21; 1,001–10,000 $0.66; 10,001–50,000 $0.28; 50,001–100,000 $0.14; over 100,000 $0. Sewered hazardous waste, per gallon: 11–264 gallons $2.02; 265–2,640 $1.09; 2,641–10,000 $0.48; 10,001–50,000 $0.12; 50,001–100,000 $0.08; over 100,000 $0. Total Fee for Self-Audit generators that provide for silver reclamation from spent fixer solution and other identified wastes only (dental clinics, etc.) $102. One-time generation license (fees are non-cumulative), by gallons: under 50 $0; 50–100 $0; 101–264 $102; 265–1,000 $201; 1,001–2,640 $402; more than 2,640 $1,002., license year May 1 to April 30 (Hazardous Waste Management Ordinance §4.05). Also required for auto repair shops, salons and barbers, veterinary clinics and contractors and trades; what it involves is set out on the contractors and trades page.
The 5 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across MN and are covered on the MN state page.
How does a retail store compare with other businesses in Ramsey County Mn?
The closest match is a auto repair shop, which shares 1 of these permits. A retail store also needs Precious Metal Dealer License, Transient Merchant License and Food Establishment License (food service and retail food). A auto repair shop needs Automotive Repair Shop License — Minnesota state position, which a retail store does not.
| Business | Its own permits | Shared with a retail store | Only a retail store needs | Only it needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto repair shops | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Veterinary clinics | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Childcare centres | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Salons and barbers | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Coffee shops | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Contractors and trades | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Fitness studios | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Food trucks | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Sources
Every figure for the permits explained on this page was read from one of these government pages on the date shown. Sources for the permits shared with other businesses are listed with their explanations on the restaurants page and contractors and trades page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the Ramsey County Mn permits page and the MN state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.
- Ramsey County 2026-2027 Fee Schedule (approved by Resolution B2025-246, December 16, 2025)Ramsey County Board of Commissioners · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-13
- Precious Metal LicensesRamsey County, Minnesota · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-13
- Minn. Stat. §325F.733 — precious metal dealer license application filed with the auditor of the county in which the dealer does businessMinnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-29
- Resolution B2025-246 — Approve the 2026-2027 Fee Schedule, as amended (December 16, 2025)Ramsey County Board of Commissioners · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-13
- Minnesota Statutes §329.11 — Transient merchant license, bondMinnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-13
- Transient Merchant LicensesRamsey County, Minnesota · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-13
- Application for Transient Merchant LicenseRamsey County, Minnesota · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-13
Related
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.