Plan Review for Food Establishments

1. Plan Review Process - submit the following items to Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health, Environmental Health:

• Application for plan review (PDF)
• One complete set of building plans drawn to scale (including equipment layout, finishes, plumbing, mechanicals, electrical, ventilation, etc.).
• Demonstrated compliance with the smoke-free ordinance.
• List of all food service equipment with specifications (manufacturer and model numbers).
• Room finish schedule.
• Menu (and HACCP plan, if required).
• Plan review fee.
• Mail or Deliver to: Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health, Environmental Health, 2785 White Bear Avenue, Suite 350, Maplewood, MN 55109

As part of the plan review process, you must also submit building plans and plumbing plans to the following two agencies:

• Building plans to the local municipal building official in your area.
• Plumbing Plans to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at 651-284-5005.

2. Plan Review Letter - Environmental Health reviews the plans for layout, food flow, equipment and ventilation. We then send a plan review letter to the owner listing any changes needed in the plans.

3. Site Visits - An Environmental Health Inspector conducts site visits during the construction process to monitor the construction progress and the installation of equipment.

4. Final Construction Inspection - when all construction is completed and all the food equipment is installed, an Environmental Health inspector conducts a final construction inspection.

5. Licensing - A food establishment can apply for a license one the following criteria are met:

• The environmental health inspector confirms the final construction inspection is satisfactory.
• The municipal building official and fire marshal have signed off on all the construction elements.
• To apply for a license, complete and submit the License Application (PDF).

Pay by mail

License fees can be paid by mailing a check or money order to:

Environmental Health Division
P.O. Box 64045
St. Paul, MN 55164.

Make checks payable to Ramsey County. 

Pay online

License fees can be paid online with a checking or savings account or credit or debit card.

• You must have a fee statement number to make online payments. Payments cannot be made without a valid fee statement number.
• Only one fee statement can be paid at a time.
• To pay multiple fee statements online, you must make a separate transaction for each.

Pay online now

For an existing food establishment that is remodeling, the plan review process is the same as for a new food establishment. However, if the plumbing and building structure changes will be minimal, check with the local building official and Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry to determine if a building and/or plumbing plan review is needed.

Ramsey County does not require a new food license unless the nature of the business has changed substantially, there has been a change in ownership or a closed establishment reopened for business.

For an existing food establishment that is not being remodeled but is undergoing significant equipment changes, Ramsey County requires an Equipment Plan Review. The equipment plan review process is the same as for a new food establishment. However, complete set of drawings is generally not required.

As part of the process, you will need to submit a list of all food service equipment specifications (make and model numbers), along with a drawing showing the new equipment layout. Also submit a list of any other changes, such as room finishes and menu changes which will occur as a result of these equipment changes. If the plumbing and building structure changes are minimal, check with the local building official and Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry to determine if a building and/or plumbing plan review is needed.

Ramsey County does not require a new food license unless the nature of the business has changed substantially, there has been a change in ownership or a closed establishment reopened for business.