Enforcement and Ordinances

Inspectors investigate environmental health issues in all of the categories listed below and certify that city and state ordinances and rules are satisfied.

Note: Due to vendor technical difficulties we will not be able to link to specific sections of our code. You can however, navigate to the code by entering the Municipal Code Homepage and navigating to the section you are looking for, beginning with the “Title” number.

Food
Liquor and Beer
Public Pools
Indoor Air
Institutional Facilities
Special and Short Term Food Permits
Tanning
Tattoo Parlors
Vermin Infestation
Wells
Garbage
Laundry/Dry Cleaning Facilities
Public Schools/The Nutrition Center

Food
The Division of Environmental Health inspects approximately 4200 restaurants, food manufacturers, food distributors, caterers, meat markets, grocers, and confectioneries per year for the City of Minneapolis. Inspections cover everything from food temperature requirements to employee sanitation practices.

Minnesota Rule 4626: Food Code

Liquor and Beer Facilities
The Division of Environmental Health regulates food and sanitation portions of on-sale and off-sale liquor, wine, and beer establishments.

Title 14: Liquor and Beer (link to code)

Chapter 360: In General
Chapter 362: Liquor Licenses
Chapter 363: Wine Licenses
Chapter 364: Liquor Regulations
Chapter 366: Beer Licenses
Chapter 368: Beer Regulations
Chapter 372: Bottle Clubs
Chapter 374: Minneapolis Convention Center Liquor License

Public Pools

The Division of Environmental Health regulates public pools in schools, apartment buildings, parks, office buildings, and private clubs.

Title 11: Chapter 231: Public Swimming Pools (link to code)

Indoor Air
The Division of Environmental Health enforces indoor air quality as outlined in the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act. This Act establishes smoking permitted and non-smoking permitted areas for all public places and for places of work.

Minnesota Rule 4620: Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act

Institutional Facilities
The Division of Environmental Health regulates institutional facilities to ensure that facilities meet the provisions of the Minneapolis Health Code.

Title 12: Chapter 244: Maintenance Code
Title 13: Licenses and Business Regulation
Chapter 297: Hotels
Chapter 297A: Bed and Breakfast Facilities
Chapter 298: Lodging Houses
Minnesota Rule 4625: Lodging Establishments

Special and Short-term Food Permits
The Division of Environmental Health regulates short-term permits for food sales, both at indoor and outdoor events. The Division regulates Farmers Market and transient merchant produce for sanitary handling and practices. Permits and guidelines for these events can be obtained by calling (612) 673-3693.

Title 10 (link to code)
Chapter 188: Administration and Licensing
Chapter 202: Public Market
Title 13 (link to code)
Chapter 265: Special Permits for Specific Business and Uses
Chapter 343: Transient Merchants

Tanning Beds
The Division of Environmental Health regulates tanning beds within the City for minimizing UV light exposure and unsanitary conditions.

Title 11: Chapter 232: Suntanning Facilities (link to code)

Tattoo Parlors
The Division of Environmental Health regulates tattoo parlors for aseptic practices when artists are applying trade to public.

Title 13: Chapter 339: Body Art Code (link to code)

Vermin Infestation
The Division of Environmental Health regulates vermin infestation in licensed food establishments to ensure food or beverage is not contaminated.

Title 11: Chapter 229: Pest and Vermin Control (link to code)
Title 12: Chapter 244: Maintenance Code (link to code)
Title 13: Chapter 295: Groceterias and Portable Stores (link to code)

Wells
The Division of Environmental Health regulates and monitors drinking water wells to ensure that water wells meet state health rules and to provide a safe alternative water source to citizens as a public service.

Title 11: Chapter 216: Water Well Construction (link to code)

Garbage
The Division of Environmental Health investigates garbage and sanitation complaints in licensed food and beverage facilities. Click here to go to the Municipal Code.

Title 11: Chapter 225: Garbage and Refuse (link to code)

Laundry/Dry Cleaning Facilities
The Division of Environmental Health regulates laundry and dry cleaning facilities and pickup stations for sanitation. Click here to go to the Municipal Code.

Title 13: Chapter 301: Laundries and Dry Cleaning Establishments

Public Schools/Nutrition Center
The Division of Environmental Health provides consultation to Minneapolis Public Schools regarding nutrition and food safety. For more information about the Nutrition Center call (612) 668-2820. For school food service complaints, contact the City of Minneapolis, Division of Environmental Health at (612) 673-3597.