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Licensing
The City of Forest Lake requires businesses and residents to obtain licenses or permits for certain activities.
See below for list of various permit and license applications.
If you have questions regarding what permits or licenses are required for your event, business, or activity, please contact the City Clerk at 651-209-9732.
NOTE: Applications for permits / licenses should be submitted at least 30 days prior to final issuance. Alcohol license applications should be submitted at least 60 days prior to final issuance.
All solicitors must register prior to any door-to-door activity in Forest Lake.
View registered solicitors here.
Adult Oriented Business
The Adult Oriented Business license is an annual license with required approvals by the City Council and Police Department.
Chapter 112 of the Forest Lake City Code regulates the requirements of the Adult Oriented Business license: Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 112: Adult-Oriented Businesses
Application for Adult-Oriented Businesses (PDF
Cannabis and Lower-Potency Hemp Edibles
Cannabis and Lower Potency Hemp (LPHE) products are licensed and regulated by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).
Per state law, the City is required to allow the operation of cannabis retail businesses and LPHE retail businesses. Retailers are required to be in compliance with the City's zoning ordinances and must obtain a local registration in addition to a state license.
Under state law, the City is required to allow one cannabis retail registration per every 12,000 residents. The Forest Lake City Council adopted an ordinance limiting the maximum number of retailers to three (the state statutory minimum plus one). Registrations for cannabis retail will be on a first-come first served basis. There is no limit on lower-potency hemp edible registrations.
Cannabis: If you have received preliminary approval for a retail business license for Adult Use Cannabis from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and have obtained zoning confirmation from the City of Forest Lake’s Community Development/Zoning Staff, you are eligible to submit a Retail Cannabis/LPHE Registration application. Note that City registration will run concurrent with the State license so it may be beneficial to submit upon State license approval.
Please review the checklist and application form for a detailed list of required documentation. Incomplete applications or those with inaccurate information will not be accepted.
LPHE: If you have received preliminary approval for a LPHE retail license from the Office of Cannabis Management and your business is in a location zoned for general retail, you are eligible to submit a Retail Cannabis/LPHE Registration application.
Submit completed applications and all supporting documents via email to: amanda.milks@ci.forest-lake.mn.us
Learn more about Adult-Use Cannabis and LPHE: MN Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)
Circus/Carnival/Exhibition
The Circus/Carnival/Exhibition permit is an event based permit with required approvals by the City Council, Fire Department, and Police Department.
Chapter 111 of the Forest Lake City Code regulates the requirements of the Circus/Carnival/Exhibition license: Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 111: Amusements Licensing and Regulation
Application for Circus/Carnival/Exhibition (PDF)
Gambling: Temporary
The Temporary Exempt or Excluded Gambling Permit is an event based permit for non-profit organizations with required approval by the City Council and final issuance by the State of MN Gambling Board. Chapter 116.11 of the Forest Lake City Code regulates the city requirements of the Temporary Exempted Gambling permit: Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 116.11: Local Permits, Excluded, or Exempted Gambling
Application for Temporary Gambling Application (PDF)
Garbage/Rubbish Hauler
The City of Forest Lake contracts for exclusive residential refuse services. For other The Garbage and Waste Materials license is an annual license with required approval by the City Council. Chapter 50 of the Forest Lake City Code regulates the requirements of the Garbage and Waste Material license: Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 50: Collection of Garbage and Waste Materials
Application for Garbage and Waste Hauler (PDF)
Golf Cart Permit
Golf cart operation on Forest Lake public streets is allowed with a permit. Permits are valid for three (3) years. Ordinance 752 regulates the operation of golf carts on public streets.
$50/resident
$100/non-resident.
Liquor Licensing
The Liquor license requires approval by the City Council and Police Department and final issuance by the State of MN AGE (Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division). Chapter 119 of the Forest Lake City Code regulates the city requirements of the Liquor license: Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 119: Alcoholic Beverages
Any business in the city which sells alcoholic beverages, either temporarily (event based) or annually is required to be licensed. Licenses vary depending on the type of alcohol and whether sales are on-sale (served for consumption on site) or off-sale.
Liquor licensing can be a complex matter. Please contact the City Clerk at 651-209-9732 to discuss licensing needs and requirements.
Massage Therapist
The Massage Therapist Individual license is an annual license with required approval by the City Council and Police Department. All therapists in a location must be individually licensed. Chapter 115 of the Forest Lake City Code regulates the requirements of the Massage Therapist license: Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 115: Regulation of Massage Businesses and Employees
Application for Massage Therapist-Individual (PDF)
Massage Therapist Location
The Massage Therapist Location license is an annual license with required approval by the City Council and Police Department. This includes but is not limited to: salons/spas, chiropractic offices, and fitness centers.
Chapter 115 of the Forest Lake City Code regulates the requirements of the Massage Therapist Location license.
Application for Massage Therapist-Location (PDF)
Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 115: Regulation of Massage Businesses and Employees
Outdoor Event/Entertainment
The Outdoor Entertainment permit is an event based permit with required approvals by City staff, including reviews by Administration, Fire, Police, and Public Works. These events include but are not limited to: outdoor concerts, running races, events with amplified sound or announcers. Chapter 92 of the Forest Lake City Code regulates the requirements of the Outdoor Entertainment permit: Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 92: Outdoor Entertainment
If your event features a temporary tent or canopy, fill out the Temporary Tent/Canopy permit application as well. This requires approval by the Fire Department. Learn more about erection of structures here: Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 90.03: Erection of Structures
Application for Outdoor Entertainment/Special Event Permit
Pawnbroker
The Pawnbroker license is an annual license with required approval by the City Council and Police Department. Chapter 114 of the Forest Lake City Code regulates the requirements of the Pawnbroker license: Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 114: Pawnbrokers
Application for Pawnbroker (PDF)
Peddler/Transient Merchant
The Peddler/Transient Merchant license is a 14 consecutive day license with required approval by the Police Department. This license must be obtained if:
- Selling products door-to-door (Peddler)
- Selling products from a stationary location such as a truck or tent on private property only (Transient Merchant)
A Transient Merchant license also requires written permission of the property owner for use of private property. You cannot use City property for transient merchant activities.
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The Solicitor Registration is a registration which spans the duration of the calendar year with a completed application on file with the City. This registration must be obtained if:
- No products are sold for payment at time of door-to-door
- Future business is solicited
- Conducting commercial advertising or advocacy
Residents may prevent door-to-door sales by placing a "No Solicitors" sign on or near the entrance to your home. If you have issues with a harassing sales person or have experienced a violation of a "No Solicitors" sign, please contact the Forest Lake Police Department at 651-464-5877.
Application for Peddler Solicitor and Transient Merchant (PDF)
Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 113: Peddlers, Solicitors, and Transient Merchants
Tobacco Licensing
The Tobacco license is an annual license with required approval by the City Council and Police Department. Chapter 118 of the Forest Lake City Code regulates the requirements of the Tobacco license: Forest Lake City Code - Chapter 118: Tobacco Regulations
Application for Tobacco (PDF)
Virtual Currency (Crypto Currency) Kiosk Registration
City code requires that any business in the City of Forest Lake which hosts a virtual currency (crypto currency) kiosk shall register the kiosk with the City Clerk's Office. Any registered hosting businesses shall display a sign warning of crypto kiosk scams, shall install and maintain dedicated closed-circuit cameras for the kiosks as requested by the Forest Lake Police Department.