City Licenses
Business Licensing
The City of Austin licenses various types of businesses and the office of the City Clerk is responsible for issuing those licenses and permits. Below is a list of licenses and permits issued with applicable forms, requirements and fees. Certain businesses may require more than one type of license. All licenses expire on December 31 of the licensing year and must be approved by Council. Please contact us if you have any questions.
E-mail license applications and supporting documentation to licensing@ci.austin.mn.us.
Information for starting a business
Right of Way Permit / License Holders
Amusement Device Owner
This license is for those engaged in the business of selling, servicing, placing or leasing mechanical amusement devices on premises of more than one operator. The application fee is $10, and the annual license fee is $15 per device. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
You must submit the following:
| Amusement Device Owner |
$15 x number of devices + $10
Amusement Device Premise
This license is for a person or business operating an establishment in which a mechanical amusement device is located. The application fee $10, and the annual fee is $15 per device. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
You must submit the following:
| Amusement Device Premise application |
$15 x number of devices + $10
The City of Austin requires your cat or dog to be licensed. Licensing is required for animals three months of age or more. Licenses may be obtained at the City Clerk’s Office. You will need to provide proof of rabies shots. You may provide proof of spaying or neutering for the discounted fee.
Spayed or neutered $10.00 (discounted fee)
Not spayed/neutered $25.00
Code Requirements
This license is for a person or business selling or offering to sell any tobacco, tobacco products, or tobacco-related device. The application fee is $10, and the annual fee is $75. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
You must submit the following:
| Cigarette License |
$75
This license is for a person or business selling or offering to sell edible cannabinoid products . The application fee is $10, and the annual fee is $1,000. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
You must submit the following:
$1000
• A street, sidewalk, park or other public area is closed for the benefit of the event attendees.
• Food trucks being requested in parks or on public property.
• Parades or running events.
• A temporary liquor license is required as part of a community festival.
• The event will adversely impact a considerable number of members of the public.
The special event permit shall be authorized by the Police Chief, City Engineer and City Clerk. Click on the following link to submit a special event permit: Special Event Permit Application
Food
This license is for anyone who operates a food service establishment. The application fee is $10, and the annual fee is $75. The licensee must provide proof of state licensing. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
You must submit the following:
| Food License |
$75
Proof of Minnesota licensure
Temporary Food
The Temporary Food license is for the temporary sale of food in the City. Only one license is required each year. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Applicants should submit the following:
$25
This license is for persons who operate gas stations. The application fee is $10, and the license is $75. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
Applicants should submit the following:
| Gas Station |
$75
Code Requirements
Residential Hauler
This license is for hauling residential garbage or other refuse. Licensees shall agree to hold the City harmless and name the City as an additional insured, providing the City with a certificate of insurance. Applicants shall provide a list of vehicles used, along with a schedule of proposed rates. The application fee is $10, and the license fee is $50 per vehicle. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Applicants should submit the following:
Residential Hauler License
Hauler vehicle information
Schedule of proposed rates
Certificate of insurance
$50 x number of vehicles + $10
Commercial Hauler
This license is for hauling commercial garbage or other refuse. Licensees shall agree to hold the City harmless and name the City as an additional insured, providing the City with a certificate of insurance. Applicants shall provide a list of vehicles used, along with a schedule of proposed rates. The application fee is $10, and the license fee is $50 per vehicle. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Applicants should submit the following:
| Lodging Establishment |
$75
Kennel License
This license is for a business operating or maintaining a kennel. Hospitals and clinics operated by licensed veterinarians are exempt from this license. The application fee is $10, and the annual fee is $125. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
3.2 Beer On-Sale
This license is for the retail sale of 3.2% malt liquor. Applicants must be investigated. The investigation fee for an individual is $100, $200 for a partnership, or $300 for a corporation. The license fee is $400. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See Chapter 5 for complete liquor code.
Applicants should submit the following:
| 3.2 Beer On-Sale |
$400 + investigation fee
3.2 Beer Off-Sale
Applicants for the sale of 3.2 malt liquor off-sale must have an on-sale license. The license fee is $5. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See Chapter 5 for complete liquor code
Applicants should submit the following:
| 3.2 Beer Off-Sale |
$5
Club On-Sale
This license is for on-sale liquor sales by clubs. Clubs must have been in existence for at least three years, have more than 50 members, have owned or leased a building for more than a year, and be conducted by a board of directors. An investigation must be performed on the applicant. The investigation fee for a club is $300. The license fee is $300 for a club with under 200 members or $500 for a club with between 201 and 500 members. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §5.01 Subd 15
See Chapter 5 for complete liquor regulations
Applicants should submit the following:
Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Insurance for liquor for entire license year
Consume & Display
This license allows the consumption and display of liquor by clubs or unincorporated societies which, except for the lack of incorporation, meet the requirements of a club. The application fee is $10, and the license fee $300.
Code Requirements
See §5.50
Applicants should submit the following:
| Consume & Display application state |
| Consume & Display License |
$310
Hard Liquor On-Sale
This license is for hard liquor on-sale. An investigation must be performed on the applicant. The investigation fee for an individual is $100, $200 for a partnership, or $300 for a corporation. The license fee is $2250. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See Chapter 5 for complete liquor regulations.
Applicants should submit the following:
| Hard Liquor On Sale Buyer’s Card-state |
| Hard Liquor On Sale License |
Certificate of insurance with liquor liability for entire license year
$2250 + investigation fee
Liquor Off-Sale
This license is for off-sales of liquor. An investigation must be performed on the applicant. The investigation fee for an individual is $100, $200 for a partnership, or $300 for a corporation. The license fee is $560. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See Chapter 5 for complete liquor regulations.
Applicants should submit the following:
| Hard Liquor Off Sale Buyer’s Card-state |
| Hard Liquor Off Sale License |
$560 + investigation fee
Liquor On-Sale Wine
This license is for the sale of wine by the glass not exceeding 14 percent alcohol by volume for consumption on the licensed premises where sold. A Food Establishment License is required in conjunction with all On-Sale Wine Licenses. Applicants of a Wine-On-Sale for a restaurant must have seating for at least 30 people. Applicant must apply for a special Sunday Wine-On-Sale License to serve on Sunday.
Code Requirements
See Chapter 5 for complete liquor regulations.
Applicants should submit the following:
| Liquor On Sale License |
Liquor Catering
The Liquor Catering license is incidental to food catering. The applicant must possess a Minnesota State Caterer’s license. To obtain a City of ‘ Catering License, applicant must have an on-sale liquor license for a restaurant. The license application must be approved by the police chief. The applicant must provide a certificate of insurance showing off-premises coverage. The license fee is $200. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §5.66
See Chapter 5 for complete liquor code.
Applicants should submit the following:
| Liquor Catering |
$300
Sunday Liquor On-Sale
Applicant must have an on-sale liquor license. Primary business must be selling food. Must have been in business 30 days. The license fee is $200. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §5.65
See Chapter 5 in its entirety for all liquor regulations.
Applicants should submit the following:
$200
Sunday Wine On-Sale
Applicant must have an On-Sale Wine license. The license fee is $150. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §5.65
See Chapter 5 in its entirety for all liquor regulations.
Applicants should submit the following:
$150
Temporary Liquor
Applicant must be one of the following:
- non-profit organization for at least 3 years
- club
- charitable organization
- religious organization
- political committee registered under state law
- state university
- certain brewers
Temporary liquor licenses may be used up to four consecutive days but no more than 12 days total for the year. Only one temporary license per entity or location within any 30-day period unless for a municipal community festival is allowed. Applicant must provide liquor liability showing the City as additional insured if the event is held on city property. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §5.01, Subd. 34
See Chapter 5 in its entirety for all liquor regulations.
Applicant should submit the following:
| Temporary On-Sale |
$75 per day
Temporary 3.2 Beer
Applicant must be one of the following:
- non-profit organization for at least 3 years
- club
- charitable organization
- religious organization
Temporary 3.2 Beer licenses may be used no more than 20 days total. Application must state exact days to be used and place to be used. If serving on City property, City must be named as an additional insured. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §5.22
See Chapter 5 in its entirety for all liquor regulations.
Applicant should submit the following:
$25 per day
Community Festival
Applicant should submit the following:
Brew Pub On-Sale
Brew Pub Off-Sale
Brew Tap Room
Small Brewer Off-Sale
Sunday Growler Off-Sale
Massage Therapy
This license is for to perform massage therapy within the City. Applicants must be investigated and provide a diploma or certificate from a recognized school of massage therapy showing proof that the applicant has had 500 hours of training. The investigation fee is $55, and the license fee is $100. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.41
Applicant should submit the following:
| Massage Therapy |
Diploma or certificate from recognized school of massage therapy showing with proof of 500 hours training
$100 + investigation fee
Massage Establishment
This license is for a place – residential or commercial – where massage is to be practiced. Applicant must be investigated. (Only one investigation is required if obtaining both Massage Therapy and Massage Establishment licenses.) The investigation fee is $55, and the license fee is $100. The application must be approved by the Building Official, the Zoning Administrator and the Police Department. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.40
Applicant should submit the following:
| Massage Establishment |
$100 + investigation fee
This license is for anyone who operates a movable business. The application fee is $10, and the annual fee is $75. The licensee must provide proof of state licensing if it is selling food. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.58
The Pawn Shop license helps the police better regulate current pawn businesses, decrease and stabilize costs associated with the regulation of the pawn industry, and increase identification of criminal activities in the pawn industry. The Pawn Shop license provides for the collection and sharing of pawn transaction information. The applicant must be investigated. The fee for an investigation is $100 for sole proprietorship, $200 for partnership, or $300 for a corporation. The license fee is $100. Licensees must provide a bond. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.56
Please submit the following:
| Pawn Shop License |
$100 + investigation fee
Copy of bond
Articles of Incorporation if applicant is a corporation
Peddler or Transient Merchant
This license is required for any person who goes from house to house, business to business, or temporarily sets up business out of a vehicle, trailer or other portable shelter for the purpose of offering for sale, displaying for sale, selling or attempting to sell, and delivering immediately upon sale, goods or products. Applicants must be investigated prior to license approval. The investigation fee is $30. The license is $10 per day or $25 per week. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.35
Please submit the following:
| Peddler or Transient Merchant License |
Copy of identification
$30 investigation fee + $10/day or $25/week
Solicitation Registration
Solicitation is the practice of going house to house or business to business with the purpose of obtaining orders for goods or products. Solicitors need not be licensed but are required to be registered. Solicitation does not require approval by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.35 Subd. 7
Please submit the following:
| Solicitor Application |
Copy of identification
Establishments that have pool, billiards, snooker or other game table or any bowling alley must obtain a license. The application fee is $10, and the license fee is $20 for the first table and $5.00 for additional tables.
Code Requirements
See §6.32
Please submit the following:
| Pool Table License |
$10 + fee for tables
This license is for anyone who owns a business operating in the right of way, including excavators and concrete contractors. The application fee is $10, and the annual fee is $75. The license must be approved by the City Council.
You must submit the following:
| Right of Way Contractor License |
Right of Way Rules & Regulations Signed
Certificate of Insurance
Surety bond
$75
Sandwich board permit are required for businesses who wish to advertise via a sandwich board in the public right-of-way. Applicant must provide a certificate of insurance naming the City as an additional insured. The annual fee is $30.
Code Requirements
See §4.50 Schedule IV, 1 and 2
Please submit the following:
Certificate of Insurance
$30
Sidewalk Café
The Sidewalk Café license is auxiliary to a City of Austin food license or on-sale liquor, wine, or beer license, brewer tap room license, or brew pub on-sale license. The license allows these establishments to sell in a public right-of-way directly adjacent to their establishment. There is no fee. Applicant must provide a sidewalk diagram. Applications will be approved by the Engineer and Police Departments, and the license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
Applicants should submit the following:
| Sidewalk Cafe License |
This license is for individuals engaged in the business of sign installation. The applicant must provide a certificate of insurance. The application fee is $10, and the license fee is $75. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.44
Please submit the following:
| Sign Installer |
$50
Certificate of insurance
Driver
This license is for anyone driving a small vehicle passenger service (or shuttle) vehicle. This license varies from a taxi cab license in that the shuttle service may start in the City and end in a location outside of the City or start in a location outside of the City and end in the City. This license is not for service exclusively within City limits. Applicants must be investigated by the Police Department, and the health of the applicant must be approved by a licensed physician. The investigation fee is $30, and the license is $50. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.61
Please submit the following:
Small Vehicle Passenger License
Owner
This license is for anyone who owns a small vehicle passenger (or shuttle) service. Inspections on each vehicle must be performed by a certified competent and experienced mechanic or a local law enforcement official. Applicant must provide a certificate of insurance. Applicant must also provide a schedule of proposed maximum rates to be charged during the license year. The investigation fee is $30, and the license fee is $50 per vehicle. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Please submit the following:
Utility task vehicles or UTV’s (also known as side-by-sides) may operate on City streets with a yearly permit from the City. A UTV is a side-by-side, four-wheel drive, off-road vehicle that has four wheels, is propelled by an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of 1,200 cubic centimeters or less, and has a total dry weight of 1,800 but less than 2,600 pounds.
And must have (1) at least two headlamps; (2) at least two tail lamps; (3) front and rear turn-signal lamps; (4) A rear-view mirror to provide the driver with adequate vision from behind as required by Minn. Stat. § 169.70 (5) a windshield, and if no windshield no person shall operate or ride in a UTV without wearing an eye-protective device and (6) a seat belt for the driver and front passenger. ATV’s, golf carts and mini trucks are not permitted.
Code Requirements
Please submit the following:
| Special Vehicle Permit Application |
| Driver’s License |
Certificate of insurance
$30
Taxicab Driver
This license is for anyone driving a passenger vehicle on-call or on a scheduled or unscheduled route for hire, excluding mass transit. Applicants must be investigated by the Police Department, and the health of the applicant must be approved by a licensed physician. The investigation fee is $30, and the license is $50. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.36
Please submit the following:
| Taxicab Driver |
$50
Taxicab Owner
This license is for anyone who owns a taxicab service. Inspections on each vehicle must be performed by a certified competent and experienced mechanic or a local law enforcement official. Applicant must provide a certificate of insurance. Applicant must also provide a schedule of proposed maximum rates to be charged during the license year. The investigation fee is $30, and the license fee is $50 per vehicle. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.36
Please submit the following:
| Taxicab Owner |
$50
Schedule of proposed maximum rates
Cab inspection signed by a certified competent & experienced mechanic or local law enforcement official.
The application fee for a theatre license is $10, and the license fee is $100. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.31
Please submit the following:
| Theatre License |
$100
This license is for anyone engaged in the business of tree removal or tree trimming. The applicant must provide a certificate of insurance. The application fee is $10, and the license fee is $75. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.46
Please submit the following:
| Tree Service License |
Certificate of insurance
$75
This license is for anyone engaged in the business of installing water conditioning or water filtering equipment. Applicant must provide a proof of Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry licensure. The application fee is $10, and the license fee is $50. The license must be approved by the City Council.
Code Requirements
See §6.38
Please submit the following:
| Water Conditioning License |
Copy of Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry licensure
Certificate of insurance
Surety bond
$60