Who needs a food establishment license in North Dakota?
Issued by North Dakota Health and Human Services, Food and Lodging, or your local public health unit (Fargo Cass Public Health, Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and others) under N.D.C.C. 23-09, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the opening inspection and post the license. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops are all food establishments under the state food code (N.D.A.C. 33-33-04.1). In Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot and the other cities with a local public health unit the local unit issues the license under the same fee rule. Ask Food and Lodging, or your local public health unit, for the current fee sheet before budgeting; several units raised fees in January 2026.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by North Dakota Health and Human Services, Food and Lodging, or your local public health unit (Fargo Cass Public Health, Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and others) under N.D.C.C. 23-09.
Sources and dates
Health and Human Services food and beverage establishment pages; N.D.A.C. 33-33-08 (food establishment license fees); N.D.C.C. 23-09-02. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the opening inspection and post the license.
Yes. Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the opening inspection and post the license.
Yes. Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the opening inspection and post the license.
Yes. Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the opening inspection and post the license.
Yes. Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the opening inspection and post the license.
Yes. Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the opening inspection and post the license.
Yes. Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the opening inspection and post the license.
Yes. Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the opening inspection and post the license.
Yes. Submit the plan review with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the opening inspection and post the license.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In North Dakota it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
North Dakota Health and Human Services, Food and Lodging, or your local public health unit (Fargo Cass Public Health, Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and others) under N.D.C.C. 23-09.
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a food establishment license in North Dakota? | DoorWorthy
