Who needs a zoning approval and certificate of occupancy in Minnesota?

Issued by Your city’s planning and building departments (Minnesota State Building Code), at step 3 of 6 in the opening sequence: approve the space.

Every kind of business in Minnesota

The Minnesota table lists this for every kind of business.

Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of occupancy needs building permits, plan review and inspections from the city building official, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the liquor license.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 3 of 6: Approve the space

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Your city’s planning and building departments (Minnesota State Building Code).

Sources and dates

Department of Labor and Industry state building code pages; city ordinances. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.