PUBLIC HEALTH
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2021 Plan Review & Licensing Requirements
Food, Beverage & Lodging Establishments
Based on Hennepin County Ordinances No. 1, 3, 5, and 6 the following requirements and guidelines have been
established for the construction, remodeling, conversion and operation of food, beverage and lodging
establishments.
An annual license is required for the operation of food, beverage and lodging establishments in Hennepin
County. A plan review or an onsite consultation is required to obtain the annual license to operate your
business. This license will only be issued after the following steps have been completed: submission of a
completed plan application (including $100.00 minimum deposit) to the address provided on the application,
the plan is approved in writing by a plan reviewer, payment of both the plan fee(s) and the license fee have
been received and a final inspection has been passed.
Plan Review Documentation Requirements
Submit a complete plan to Hennepin County Epidemiology and Environmental Health. A complete plan
includes the following:
Completed plan review application
Application fee
Menu
Floor plan / facility layout drawn to scale
Plan elevations
Finish schedule (construction materials of work areas i.e. floors, walls ceiling, and base cove)
Mechanical specifications
Plumbing specifications
Equipment schedules
Equipment specification sheets for all equipment must be numbered according to plan equipment list
and detailed on floor plan
Cabinetry and countertop information
Sleeping room dimensions for lodging establishments
The review process will not begin until all required documents as well as an initial deposit of $100.00 a
re
received.
Call our office (612) 543-5200 and consult with a member of our front desk staff to verify completeness of your
application. The Health Authority must approve plans before a city issues any construction permits for a food,
beverage, lodging or children’s camp establishment.
*Plan reviewers have 30 calendar days from receipt of the complete plan review application to respond
with an approval or denial letter.
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Hennepin County Public Health
1011 South First Street, Suite 215, Hopkins, MN 55343
612-543-5200 | Epi-envhlth@hennepin.us
Plan Review Fees
For the review process to begin, a minimum $100.00 deposit must accompany the application. The
r
emainder of the plan fee will be invoiced upon completion of the review process.
Plan review fees vary greatly depending on several factors and will be determined by the plan reviewer.
Key factors in determining plan review fee(s) include the risk level of the establishment and the amount
of work to be done.
o The fee for new establishments and for those remodeling more than 50% of an establishment is
1.5 times the cost of the current year’s license fee.
o The fee for establishments remodeling less than 50% of an establishment is equal to the current
year’s license fee.
o For in-office and onsite consultation fees, refer to the license fee schedule.
License Fees and Requirements
License fees and separate from the plan review fees. All fees must be paid prior to a final inspection.
Worker’s Comp/Tax Form must be submitted prior to a final inspection. No license will be issued
without this form.
Final Inspection Requirements
The establishment must be constructed and finished to conform to the approved plans. Any deviations
from the original/approved plan MUST be approved by the plan reviewer. The Health Authority will
inspect the establishment during construction as frequently as deemed necessary.
The Health Authority must be a final inspection prior to the start of operations and before a license(s)
can be issued. Should the Health Authority arrive for the final inspection and the establishment is not
ready, there will be a $119.00 re-inspection fee.
The final plan review fee(s) and the license fee must both be paid in full before a final inspection wit
h
t
he Health Authority can be scheduled.
Approved plans are valid for one year from the approval date.
Variance Request
If you are proposing to implement an operation, procedure, and/or equipment that does not comply with MN
State Rules and Hennepin County Ordinances, you may request a variance from the regulations. The variance
request includes the following (minimum):
Complete a Variance Request Application (available at our Hopkins office or from our website:
www.hennepin.us/planreview
).
State regulation from which you are requesting a variance.
Reason/need for variance from the regulation (financial reasons will not be accepted).
Provide documentation supporting the variance will not negatively impact food safety, public health, or
employee safety. (This must also show that no other accepted operation, practice, technique and/or
equipment can be substituted or is available)
Consultations
If you wish to speak with a plan reviewer without submitting a complete plan you may request either an onsite
or an in-office consult (see fee schedule for associated fees). Consult fees will be applied toward any resulting
plan fees.
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Hennepin County Public Health
1011 South First Street, Suite 215, Hopkins, MN 55343
612-543-5200 | Epi-envhlth@hennepin.us
2021 Plan Review Fees
The license categories are determined by the type of food, amount of food handling, risk level of the food, and the size of
the operation. The types of facilities listed are examples. They are not all-inclusive. The specific operation of a food
establishment may change the level from the one listed.
Primary Largest or highest risk level facility at an address
Additional One or more facilities at the same address
Special Fees
Opening without license Opening facility without health official approval
50% of license fee
Non-professional plan Hand drawn, not to scale, not by a licensed architect
25% plan review fee
Re-submission of plan Major changes or new designer/architect after initial review
25% plan review fee
Late plan fee Starting construction with an approved plan
Double plan review fee
On-site consultation fee
$158
In-office consultation fee
$63
Re-inspection fee
$119
Description Type
New or over 50%
remodel
Less than 50%
remodel
Lodging
Large (more than 10 rooms)
Base fee
$416
$277
Per room fee
$15
$10
Small (10 or fewer rooms)
Base fee
$263
$175
Per room fee
$24
$16
Children’s Camp
$258
$172
$12
$8
HACCP Fees
Initial HACCP Plan Review
$378
Annual HACCP Audit
$189
High Food Large Facility
Full menu, >175 seats and/or >500 meals or equivalent portions
Type
New or over
50% remodel
Less than
50% remodel
Open Food
Banquet kitchen
Cafeteria
Caterer
Commissary kitchen
Combo deli/meat
market
Complex cuisine
Deli
Family restaurant
Fast food
Flight kitchen
Large institution
Meat market (ROP,
cured/smoked meat:
HACCP plan required)
School w/ food made
on-site or catered to
other schools
Primary
$1,413
$942
Additional
$704
$469
High Food Small Facility
Full menu, <175 seats and/or <500 meals or equivalent portions
Type
New or over
50% remodel
Less than
50% remodel
Open Food
Bakery (potentially
hazardous fillings or
decorations)
Banquet kitchen
Cafeteria
Caterer
Commissary kitchen
Combo deli/meat
market
Complex cuisine
Deli
Family restaurant
Fast food
Small institution
Meat market (ROP,
cured/smoked meat:
HACCP plan required)
School w/ food made
on-site or catered to
other schools
Primary
$1,097
$731
Additional
$549
$366
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Hennepin County Public Health
1011 South First Street, Suite 215, Hopkins, MN 55343
612-543-5200 | Epi-envhlth@hennepin.us
Medium Food Small Menu Type
New or over
50% remodel
Less than
50% remodel
Packaged
Large grocery store
Open Food
Primary
$831
$554
Bakery/bake off (full,
limited decorating, all
no
n-potentially
hazardous)
Bar
Catering vehicle
Kitchen (10 or
fewer meals)
Meat market
Pizza
Produce dept.
(cutting fruit/veggies)
School w/ catered
food, minimal prep on-
site
Additional
$414
$276
Medium Food Limited Menu Type
New or over
50% remodel
Less than
50% remodel
Packaged
Small grocery store
Open Food
Primary
$551
$367
Bakery/bake off (no
prep, no decorating,
a
ll non-potentially
hazardous)
Catered food, no
prep
Cafeteria, no prep
Childcare w/
c
atered food
Continental
b
reakfast w/ waffle
batter
Other less than
complete commercial
kitchen
Test kitchen
Re-heating packaged
food for hot holding
Additional
$275
$183
Low Food Type
New or over
50% remodel
Less than
50% remodel
Packaged
Convenience store
Pharmacy
Warehouse
Open Food
Primary
$293
$195
Bakery (sales only)
Bulk food, not
hazardous
Coffee, fountain
beverages only
Farmers market
stand (no samples)
Limited food
Rental kitchen
Produce dept. (no
cutting/prep)
Snack stand (hot
dogs only)
Additional
$147
$98
Low Limited Food Type
New or over
50% remodel
Less than
50% remodel
Chips, pretzels
Packaged snacks,
not primary business
Half-day child
care w/ snacks &
milk only
Portable bar
No prep or ware-
washing
Primary
$137
$91
Additional
$68
$45
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Hennepin County Public Health
1011 South First Street, Suite 215, Hopkins, MN 55343
612-543-5200 | Epi-envhlth@hennepin.us
Plan Review Application Food, Beverage & Lodging
Return To:
Hennepin County Public Health Department
Epidemiology and Environmental Health
1011 First Street South, Suite 215 Hopkins, MN 55343
Establishment Information
Establishment Name:
Phone:
Address:
City:
State: MN
Zip Code:
Business/Owner Information
Owner Name:
Phone:
Address*:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Contact Name: Owner Email:
Plan Review Type
Onsite Consult ($158.00)
In Office Consult
($63.00)
New ($100.00) Remodel ($100.00)
Responsible Agent for Plan Review (if other than the owner)
Operator
Contractor
Designer
Supplier
Agent
Other: __________________________________
Company Name:
Phone:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Contact Name: Contact Email:
*A minimum $100.00 deposit must accompany the completed application (checks payable to: Hennepin County Treasurer)
Deposit Amount: $__________________ Send remaining plan fees to:
Business Owner
Responsible Agent
Contractor Information (if not named above)
Company Name:
Phone:
Contact Name:
Email:
Type(s) of Service (check all that apply)
Sit Down Take Out Delivery Catering Liquor Beer/wine Other ________________
Proposed Hours of Operation
Other Information
Mon:
Fri:
Total Square Footage: _____________________________________
Number of Seats: ___________ # of Meals/day:____________
Number of Units (Lodging): _______________________________
Pool: Yes No Spa: Yes No
Tues:
Sat:
Wed:
Sun:
Thurs:
*All Correspondence Will Be Sent To This Address
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Hennepin County Public Health
1011 South First Street, Suite 215, Hopkins, MN 55343
612-543-5200 | Epi-envhlth@hennepin.us
Scope of Work
*Briefly describe project - including type of changes, providing new finishes, remodeling server stations, adding walk-in cooler, etc.
Finish Material Schedule (attach separate document if more space is needed)
Finish Area / Room Identifier
Walls Ceiling Floor / Basecove
Ex. Kitchen FRP Smooth vinyl tiles
Quarry tile / quarry tile
basecove
What will the wall finish be behind the cooking equipment?
Insulated stainless steel panel
Ceramic tile
Other (specify): _______________________________________________
Floor and base finish in walk-in cooler/freezer (if installing)
Walk-in Cooler Floor: ___________________________________ Base: ___________________________________
Walk-in Freezer Floor: ___________________________________ Base: ___________________________________
Walk-in Keg Cooler Floor: ___________________________________ Base: ___________________________________
Commercial water heater model & size Size: ____________ gallons Model: ___________________________________
*Location of water heater must be on the layout
Anticipated Start Date: _________________________ Anticipated Completion Date: ________________________
*Starting construction without approval from the Health Authority will result in DOUBLE plan review fees.
Applicant/Contact Information
Signature:
Date:
Please PRINT the following information:
Name: Phone #:
Email:
Submission Checklist
Plan ______
Cut Sheets ______
Menu ______
Fees ______
Application (signed/dated) ______