Food Establishment Info | FAQs | Food Safety | Plan Review | Starting a Food Establishment | Temporary Food Establishments | Return to Businesses
A Plan Review is required for all new food establishments and is also required when remodeling any existing food establishments. A food license cannot be issued to a new food establishment until the plan review process has been completed.
There are 3 basic steps to completing the plan review process.
Step 1: Building plans must be submitted to the local building office in your area.
Step 2: Plumbing plans must be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, 651.284.5067, who does plumbing plan reviews. Plumbing plans must be approved at least 30 days prior to construction.
Step 3: Building plans must be submitted to the Saint Paul - Ramsey County Department of Public Health for review.
New Food Establishment Plan Review Process
1. An Application for Plan Review must be submitted with the following items:
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One complete set of building plans drawn to scale (including equipment layout, finishes, plumbing, mechanicals, electrical, ventilation, etc.)
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Demonstrated compliance with the Smoke-Free Ordinance
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List of all food service equipment with specifications (manufacturer and model numbers)
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Room finish schedule
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Menu (and HACCP plan, if required)
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Plan Review Fee
2. Plan Review Letter - This Department reviews the plans for layout, food flow, equipment, ventilation and other items, and a plan review letter is sent to the owner.
3. Site Visits - Site visits are conducted during the construction process to monitor the construction and the installation of equipment.
4. Final Construction Inspection - When all construction is completed and all the food equipment is installed, a final construction inspection is conducted.
5. Licensing - If the final construction inspection by this Department was satisfactory, and the City Building Official has signed off on all the construction elements, then the food establishment can apply for a food establishment license.
Remodeling an Existing Food Establishment
The same process as above (new food establishment) will apply for any remodeling.
New building plans showing the changes must be submitted, along with a list of the new food equipment to be installed, a list of menu changes and a plan review fee. Building plans must also be submitted to the local building official, as discussed above.
For an existing food establishment that is being remodeled, no new food license is required, unless the nature of the business has changed substantially.
If an existing food establishment has been remodeled, and there has also been a change of ownership, then the new owner must apply for a food establishment license.
If you have any questions or concerns about any items in the plan review process, please AskEH or call 651.266.1199.
