Food, Pools & Lodging
Food & Beverage Establishments
A food and beverage establishment is defined as a building, structure, enclosure, or any part of a building, structure, or enclosure used as, maintained as, advertised as, or held out to be an operation that prepares, serves, or otherwise provides food or beverages or both, for human consumption.
Food and beverage establishments are regulated under Minnesota Statute 157 and Minnesota Rule 4626 and are licensed and inspected by Morrison County. Food and beverage establishments are inspected on a routine basis for compliance with the Food Code, or more frequently if an establishment has a history of improper food handling.
Food and beverage establishments such as grocery stores, convenience stores and bakeries are regulated through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Lodging
A lodging establishment is defined, in Minnesota Statute 157, as a building, structure, enclosure, or any part thereof used as, maintained as, advertised as, or held out to be a place where sleeping accommodations are furnished to the public as regular roomers, for periods of one week or more, and having five or more beds to let to the public.
Lodging establishments are governed by Minnesota Rule 4625 and are licensed and inspected for compliance by Morrison County Public Health.
Vacation Home Rentals
Morrison County is required by statute to license and inspect private homes used for vacation home rentals. The Minnesota Department of Health and the state lodging code, MN Chapter 4625, requires these types of lodging facilities be licensed. If you plan to your home as a vacation home rental or plan to continue offering this home as a vacation home rental, please complete a Vacation Home Rental Plan Review/Licensing Application or contact Morrison County Health and Human Services Environmental Health staff at 320-632-7800 or phenvhealth@co.morrison.mn.us.
- If a private well is used for drinking water, results of a water test for nitrates and total coliform will be required. This water test will be a yearly requirement for licensing.
- Part of the licensing procedure also includes Morrison County Land Services ensuring there is a compliant and functioning septic system and if the proposed buildings in the application are compliant with the Morrison County Land Use ordinance. Please note the legal occupancy of the home could differ from the septic capacity regulations and what is allowed by the state lodging code. Capacity for vacation home rentals will be determined not to exceed Septic Capacity.
Lodging in Minnesota - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)
4625 - MN Rules Chapter Requirements for lodging establishments
Public Swimming Pools - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)
4717 - MN Rules Chapter Requirements for Public Swimming Pools