Frequently Asked Questions

The following are required to have a food permit:

• Bars that serve food
• Cafeterias
• Daycare centers
• Delis
• Restaurants
• Schools
• Snack bars
• Any similar establishment or event that prepares or serves food that is intended for immediate consumption within the City of Maplewood

These permits are issued through the Citizens Services Department. Please contact them at 651-249-2005 to obtain the permit application.

The cost of a food establishment, public swimming pool, or lodging permit changes year to year and is dependent on several factors. Please contact the Citizens Services Department at 651-249-2005 to determine the cost of the permit you are interested in.

To report a suspected food-borne illness, please call the Minnesota Department of Health at 877-366-3455 or 651-201-5655.

A public health nuisance, defined by Minnesota Statue 145A, is any activity or failure to act that adversely affects the public health. Examples of a public health nuisance include:

• Accumulation of human or animal feces
• Accumulation of solid waste
• Evidence of rodent or insect infestation
• Lack of water or sewage disposal
• Rotting food waste

It is important to know and realize that a “messy” or “cluttered” home is not necessarily a public health nuisance. To investigate a public health nuisance, we need first-hand knowledge of the situation. We do not investigate rumors or anonymous complaints. A public health nuisance is different from a public nuisance or a code violation. Examples of a public nuisance or a code violation are long grass and/or parking on the grass.

The City of Maplewood does not investigate mold complaints. We are not trained in mold identification, we are not mold experts, nor do we have the ability to test for mold. We follow the Minnesota Department of Health’s guidelines in that if you believe you have a mold problem, treat it as a mold problem. Do not test for mold. Rather, investigate what the problem is (where did the moisture come from), remove the wet material, and then remediate the problem.

There is no acceptable or minimum standard for mold as mold affects everyone differently.

Swimming pools and whirlpool/spas need to be licensed if they are at:

• Apartment buildings
• Food establishments
• Hotels
• Manufactured home parks
• Recreational camping areas
• Youth camps need to be licensed

These pools/spas are inspected annually for health and safety violations.