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Business Licenses

Thank you for being a part of Brooklyn Park’s business community!

Business license renewal

Currently, body art, food, home business, lodging, and rental licenses are the only Brooklyn Park licenses you can renew online.

Renew a license >

Instructions for using the license renewal system (PDF) >

Alcohol/liquor

Types of liquor licenses

There are several types of liquor licenses available in Brooklyn Park:

  • On-Sale Intoxicating
  • Off-Sale Intoxicating
  • 3.2 Malt Liquor
  • Wine
  • Club
  • Temporary Liquor (available for nonprofit events)

Fee

Fees vary depending on the type of liquor license applied for and all licenses are renewed annually.

Process for submitting and approving a license

Completed applications, including the appropriate fee, must be submitted 3 months before opening to ensure adequate time for approval and processing. Temporary liquor license applications must be submitted 60 days prior to the event. All applications require City Council approval.

Applications

Because of the extensive requirements, liquor license applications are not available online. To apply, please stop in at City Hall, 5200 85th Ave. N. or call our Rental and Business Licensing Division at 763-493-8182.

Contact us

Contact the Rental and Business Licensing Division at 763-493-8182.

Apiary (beekeeping)

All properties are allowed to have honeybees with an approved registration. The registration process includes a site inspection and a notification letter sent to the neighbors of the proposed beekeeping location.

Fee

A one-time registration fee is $75. Registrations are valid from April 1 through the following March 31 and must be renewed each year.

Applications

Beekeeping registration application (PDF) >

Beekeeping registration renewal application (PDF) >

Map of bee hives

View the location of registered bee hives

Contact us

Contact the Environmental Health Division at 763-493-8070.

Body art (tattoos and body piercings)

Businesses or individuals providing body art services must be licensed. Before opening, a layout of the establishment must be submitted and reviewed by the city.

Fee

The annual fee for this license is $250. The license period runs from January 1 through December 31.

Technicians

All body art technicians operating from the licensed establishment must have a valid certificate from the Minnesota Department of Health.

Body art licensing – Minnesota Department of Health

Applications

Body art establishment plan review and license application (PDF) >

Body art establishment license application (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Environmental Health Division at 763-493-8070.

Courtesy bench licensing

Starting in 2022, Courtesy Bench Licenses are required for all public benches throughout the city.

Location and construction standards apply, and the fee is $100 per bench, every two years.

Advertising is allowed on the street facing side of the bench only. All benches must be maintained in good condition with no litter or garbage and snow and ice removed in the winter. The code allows up to 100 benches throughout the city and currently there are 48 available.

Courtesy bench license application >

Door-to-door business

Peddler/solicitor

A person who goes from house-to-house, door-to-door, business-to-business, street-to-street, or any other type of place-to-place, for the purpose of advertising, selling or attempting to sell items that the person is carrying or otherwise transporting, or obtaining or attempting to obtain orders for products or services of which the person may be carrying or transporting samples, or that may be described in a catalog or by other means, and for which delivery or performance shall occur at a later time. The absence of samples or catalogs shall not remove a person from the scope of this provision if the actual purpose of the person’s activity is to obtain or attempt to obtain orders as discussed above.

Exemptions

Individuals representing non-profit or exempt organizations, or individuals expressing freedom of speech, press, religion etc. do not require a license.

Applications

Peddler/solicitor license application (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Rental and Business Licensing Division at 763-493-8182.

Food

When serving food to the public a food license is required. Businesses that require a food license include:

  • Temporary food stand
  • Schools
  • Daycares
  • Restaurants
  • Grocery stores or markets
  • Coffee shops
  • Food trucks

Fees

Fees vary depending on the type of food license applied for. The license period runs from January 1 through December 31.

Building a new facility

When building a new food facility, a plan review is required along with any associated building requirements. The plan review application and all of the documents must be approved before a license can be issued. Please follow the online submittal process below. 

Applications and resource material

Food establishment license application (PDF) >

Grocery store plan review and license applications (PDF) >

New restaurant plan review and license applications (PDF) >

Food truck plan review and license application (PDF) >

Food truck license application (PDF) >

Temporary food stand license application (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Environmental Health Division at 763-493-8070.

Gambling

Registration period for lawful gambling is April 1 to March 31. Gambling Investigative Fees are assessed annually, as determined by the Gambling Control Board, with an expiration of March 31st.

Lawful Gambling Registration >

Contact us

Contact the Rental and Business Licensing Division at 763-493-8182.

Garbage haulers

All garbage haulers operating within Brooklyn Park must be licensed. A copy of the current Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspection Report for each vehicle must be included with the application.

Fees

The license fee is dependent on the number of vehicles operating in the city. The license period runs from July 1 through June 30.

Application

Waste collection license application (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Rental and Business Licensing Division at 763-493-8182.

Home business

All home businesses in Brooklyn Park must register with the city, meet city ordinance requirements and obtain a permit. This permit allows a business use at a residential property only if the residential character of the neighborhood is maintained. Certain types of businesses are restricted or not allowed in residential neighborhoods.

Fee

The annual fee for this permit is $40. The license period runs from January 1 through December 31.

Application

Home business permit application (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Code Enforcement and Public Health Division at 763-493-8070.

Lodging

Lodging facilities require a license. Businesses that require a lodging license include:

  • Motels
  • Hotels
  • Boarding facilities that service between 5 and 10 residents

Fees

Fees vary depending on the type of lodging license applied for. The license period runs from January 1 through December 31.

New facilities

When building or opening a new lodging facility, a plan review is required along with any associated building requirements. The plan review application and all of the documents must be approved before a license can be issued.

Applications

Lodging license application (PDF) >

Boarding and lodging review plan and license applications (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Environmental Health Division at 763-493-8070.

Massage

Massage establishment (enterprise)

A massage establishment (enterprise) license is required for any business where massage is performed by licensed massage therapists to the public. The fee for a massage enterprise license is $200 annually. In addition to license fee, a one-time $200 background investigation fee is collected at the time of application.

Massage therapist

Each massage therapist is required to have:

  • Their own license
  • Proof of training and accreditation
  • Valid identification
  • Professional liability insurance

The fee for a massage therapist license is $100 per year plus a one-time $200 background investigation fee.

Applications

Massage enterprise license application (PDF) >

Massage therapist license application (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Rental and Business Licensing Division at 763-493-8182.

Rental: apartment

Small apartments (4 to 15 units)

A license is required for any building with 4 to 15 rental units. The license fee for small apartments is $200, plus $25 per unit.

Large apartments (16 or more units)

A license is required for any building with 16 or more rental units. The license fee for large apartments (or multi-family dwellings) is $25 per unit.

Apartment Self-Assessment Form

Property managers are now required to establish a self-assessment program that addresses tenant and landlord responsibilities, maintenance, emergency response, environmental concerns, and more. These changes will enhance the living conditions for tenants and maintain safe, healthy, and code compliant rental properties.

Apartment Self-Assessment Form

Inspections

Large apartments are inspected annually which includes a review of all public areas (entrances, hallways, laundry rooms, mechanical rooms, community rooms, stairways, walkways, parking lots, etc.) as well as one floor of all apartment units. Maintenance complaints should be brought to the property manager. If the issue is not corrected in a reasonable amount of time, staff will conduct an inspection and follow up with the property manager.

Learn more about rental property inspections >

Find your rental inspector >

Look up rental properties >

Applications

Small apartment and rental license application (PDF) >

Large apartment license application (PDF) >

Contact us

Rental and Business Licensing Division at 763-493-8182.

Rental: single-family

A rental license is required for any single-family dwelling that is not owner-occupied. However, you do not need a license if you are renting to an immediate family member (son, daughter, parents, etc.) and provided they apply for and are granted a relative homestead exemption. No more than 4 unrelated people may live in the home.

The property owner is responsible for meeting all City rules. Brooklyn Park has one of the most thorough rental licensing programs in the state. We strive to ensure licensed rental properties are decent, safe and sanitary.

Fees

The property owner must submit the $175 license fee and a $750 conversion fee. Properties that are currently being managed as a rental property and are sold to a new owner do not require the conversion fee.

The license period runs from October 1 through September 30. Rental licenses are renewed every year.

Inspections

All rental properties are subject to an inspection at least once every two years. The rental inspector will notify the property owner by mail of the date and time of the inspection.

Learn more about rental property inspections >

Find your rental inspector >

Look up rental properties >

Rental contacts

You can download a list of active single-family rental licenses with primary contact information. We update this list on the first day of each month.

Download a list of active rental licenses >

Required training

The Brooklyn Park Police Department requires all rental property owners or their property managers to attend a Crime Free Housing seminar. Applicants have one year from the time the City issues them a rental license to attend the seminar.

Short-term rentals

Short-term rentals such as those found on AirBnB and Vrbo are currently not allowed in Brooklyn Park. For more information please call 763-493-8182 or email at BPLicense@Brooklynpark.org.

Renting to family

If you are renting your property to an immediate family member, you must register the property as a Relative Homestead. Please contact the Yaneth Quintero-Cruz at 612-596-1835 or by email at yaneth.quinterocruz@hennepin.us.

Application

Single-family rental and small apartment license application (PDF) >

Renew a single-family rental and small apartment license >

Contact us

Contact the Rental and Business Licensing Division at 763-493-8182.

Special event

Any individual or organization hosting a special event outdoors may require a permit or license depending on the specific activities involved. A separate temporary food license may be required for any food served at the event.

Fee

The fee is $50 per event. Non-profit organizations must submit a permit application, but the fees are waived.

Application

Special event permit application (PDF) >

Temporary sign permit application (PDF) >

Temporary food stand license application (PDF) >

Need to rent a park or other facility for your event? Learn more about our facility and park rentals here.

Contact us

Contact the Environmental Health Division at 763-493-8070.

Swimming pools and spas

All public swimming pools and spas must be licensed. This does not include private swimming pools or any natural swimming areas.

Fees

Annual license fee is $360 for an indoor pool and $275 for an outdoor pool. Each additional indoor pool is $330 and each additional indoor pool is $225. The license period runs from May 1 to April 30.

Inspections

Outdoor pools must be inspected before opening in the spring.

Application

Swimming pool license application (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Environmental Health Division at 763-493-8070.

Temporary Signs

Businesses are allowed up to three temporary sign permits per year. Each permit is good for 30-days. Temporary signs must be banner-style and/or feather flags. Businesses are allowed a one-time permit at no cost to place a grand opening banner for 60 consecutive days.

Fee

The fee for each permit is $75. Non-profit organizations must submit a permit application, but the fees are waived.

Application

Temporary sign permit application (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Environmental Health Division at 763-493-8070.

THC

It is now legal to sell certain edibles and beverages infused with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the cannabis ingredient extracted from hemp.  The new law passed by the legislature legalized the sale of certain cannabinoid products and took effect on July 1, 2022. 

Businesses can now apply for a THC license.

Application

THC Product sales license application (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Rental and Business Licensing Division at 763-493-8182.

Tobacco

Any businesses selling tobacco or tobacco products in the city including e-cigs, must apply for a tobacco license. The license applications are subject City Council approval.

Fee

License annual fee is $200. A one-time background investigation fee is $200. The license period runs from January 1 through December 31.

Application

Tobacco sales license application (PDF) >

Contact us

Contact the Rental and Business Licensing Division at 763-493-8182.