Mobile Food Units (Food Trucks)

The City of Cottage Grove sets forth the following rules and regulations for mobile food unit operation. An annual license is required to operate a food truck in the City of Cottage Grove. Please review the information below for allowed locations, performance standards, and how to apply for a license.

Application

 To download an application packet, . The annual license fee is $250. Single Occasion licenses are $50 per day and cannot be combined or transferred to an annual license.  Please allow 2 weeks for processing.  If you have any questions, please email City Clerk Tamara Anderson. 

Locations


A.) Allowed Locations: A mobile food unit may only operate in the locations and under the conditions set forth in this section:

    1. With the written consent of the property owner, a mobile food unit may operate in an industrial or commercial zoning district.
    2. With the written consent of the property owner, a mobile food unit may operate in a residential zoning district if on private property for catering purposes (such as a private graduation party or wedding) and not open for sales to the general public.
    3. A mobile food unit may operate in the right-of-way immediately adjacent to a consenting property owner noted in this section, as long as it does not create a public safety hazard. 
    4. A mobile food unit may operate at a government-owned property if there is permission of the government entity or agency controlling that property through a permit, agreement or other approval process.

B.) Prohibited Locations: A mobile food unit may not operate in the following locations:

  1. On any street posted with no parking signs or on any street with a posted speed limit greater than thirty (30) miles per hour, unless it is a street adjacent to government-owned property and permission has been granted, as provided in 3-12-4.A.4.
  2. At any location that may cause a safety hazard for other vehicles, pedestrians, or the general public.

Requirements

A.) License: The mobile food unit operator must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment as required under Minnesota State law. The license must be clearly posted. A mobile food unit operator must also be licensed by the city. 

B.) Fire Code: The mobile food unit must meet State Fire Code requirements and be inspected by the City of Cottage Grove Public Safety Department.

C.) Insurance: The mobile food unit operator must comply with the insurance provisions as detailed in the license application packet.

Performance Standards

A.) A mobile food unit owner/operator is subject to the following performance standards:

    1. Mobile food unit sales may only conduct sales between seven o’clock (7:00) A.M. and eleven o’clock (11:00) P.M.
    2. Waste generated by the mobile food unit must be transported out of the City and disposed of in accordance with all Federal, State, and local regulations. Grey water may not be drained into City stormwater drains.
    3. The owner/operator of the mobile food unit shall be responsible for the conduct of their employees and agents while operating a mobile food unit.
    4. A mobile food unit is not required to obtain a sign permit from the city. However, no additional signage is permitted beyond that which is on the mobile food unit unless it meets the following requirements:

         a.   One single sandwich board style sign is permitted per mobile food unit.
         b.   The maximum sign size is eight (8) square feet.
         c.   The sign must be placed on the ground and within ten feet (10') of the mobile food unit.
         d.   The sign must not be placed in a manner that hinders passage upon any sidewalk.
         e.   The sign must not be placed within the improved travel surface of the public right-of-way except with the express written permission of the City; and
         f.   The sign cannot project from the mobile food unit or be mounted to the roof of the mobile food unit. 

    1. Mobile food units and any associated equipment must be maintained and operated in a safe, working condition at all times and in a manner which minimizes noise, exhaust and odors impacting the public and surrounding public and private properties so as not to create a public or private nuisance. The operation of any mobile food unit which fails to meet the standards of safety established by the laws of the State or the City, operates in a manner that creates a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the public, or fails to obey a lawful order of law enforcement or licensing personnel, shall be discontinued until such time as the deficiency is eliminated.

Inspections & Enforcement

  1. A mobile food unit operating in the city is subject to inspection by City officials.
  2. A failure to meet any of the requirements outlined in this Chapter shall result in an immediate order to correct or cease operations by the Public Safety Department. 

Licensed Food Trucks with the City of Cottage Grove through December 31, 2023. 

Note - The following list are Food Unit's that hold annual licenses for 2023 with the City of Cottage Grove. This list does not include food unit's licensed for one day events.  For more information regarding food unit's licensed per event please contact the City Clerk.  

  1. Northwoods Smokehouse - Matt Miller - 612-570-4561 - northwoodssmokehousebbq@gmail.com 
  2. Kalcessions (Pete's Fresh Cut Potato Blossoms) - 651-373-5917 - mamaaung@yahoo.com
  3. Egg Roll Queen - 651-313-1685 - eggrollqueenfoodtruck@gmail.com 
  4. Rollin Nolens BBQ - 651-434-1174 - rollinnolensbbq@gmail.com 
  5. Carnival Mexican Grill - 952-737-9473 - carnavalmexicangrillmn@gmail.com
  6. D & D Goodies - 952-465-8555 - dndgoodies@gmail.com