To make sure businesses in Minneapolis are operating in a safe way that reflects the values of our community, the City Council passes ordinances that regulate certain aspects of business operations. To stay up to date on new ordinances, check this page regularly or visit the Business Licenses & Consumer Services website. For any ordinance-related questions, contact your business licensing inspector.
The City Council approved a municipal minimum wage on June 30, 2017. The Minimum Wage Ordinance sets a new hourly minimum wage standard for work performed in Minneapolis. Until July 1, 2024, the minimum wage rate depends upon an employer’s size, as defined by total number of workers. The required minimum wage rate will increase until reaching $15 and then continue increasing yearly to account for inflation. Visit the Minimum Wage Ordinance website for more information and employer resources.
The Sick & Safe Time Ordinance creates access to time off work for employees across the city. Full and part-time staff, temporary employees and paid interns are included. Employers with 6 or more employees must provide paid sick and safe time. Employers with 5 or fewer employees must provide sick and safe time, but they may choose to provide it unpaid. Visit the Sick & Safe Time Ordinance website for more information and employer resources.
The Environmentally Acceptable Packaging Ordinance requires that to-go containers for food and beverages must be either recyclable or compostable (for example, styrofoam containers are not allowed). The ordinance also requires that businesses provide the necessary containers for recycling and composting any containers they provide.
The Staple Foods Ordinance requires licensed grocery stores (including corner stores, gas stations, dollar stores, and pharmacies) to sell a certain amount of basic food items including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, and low-fat dairy. The Staple Foods Ordinance was originally adopted in 2008, but was amended by the Minneapolis City Council in October 2014 to set more comprehensive and clear standards for food retailers. Visit the Staple Foods Ordinance website for more information.
Effective August 1, 2018, the sale of menthol, mint and wintergreen tobacco products is restricted to Exclusive Tobacco Dealers and Off Sale Liquor Stores that prohibit any one under the age of 21 from their establishment without a parent or guardian. For more information on complying with the restriction, contact the Small Business Team.
The City has a number of ordinances that pertain to the outside or inside appearance of your business location - making sure things appear neat and orderly for customers and pedestrians passing by on the street. See the list below for descriptions of the ordinances that are most commonly enforced. Inspectors may receive complaints about these issues or make note of them during routine inspections. If they see something amiss, inspectors will give you a verbal or written warning and allow you time to correct the problem. If it is still there on reinspection, you may be subject to a fine.
For full details on the ordinances above and other regulations that apply to your business, see Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, Title 13 for Licenses and Business Regulations.