Business Licensing & Operations in Saint Paul, MN (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Saint Paul, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Saint Paul limits adult massage parlors to one adult use per building under Legislative Code Chapter 412A, requires a city council public hearing before licensing, and mails notice to every owner and occupant within 300 feet of the site. Business hours are capped 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for customer entry, and all workers must be at least 18.
Saint Paul Adult Massage Parlor License Limits
Significant RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code §§ 412A.03, 412A.04(b)
The required fee for an adult massage parlor license along with the fees for an environmental plan review and change of ownership review, shall be established by ordinance as specified in section 310.09(b) and 310.18 of the Legislative Code. A separate license shall be obtained for each place of business. Only one (1) adult use shall be allowed in a building or portion of a building. [...] At l...
Massage Establishments
Saint Paul requires a Class A license for commercial massage or bodywork centers and a Class B license for home-based massage businesses under Legislative Code Chapter 412. The Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) handles applications and environmental plan reviews; each license covers one location and runs twelve months, with practitioners separately licensed under Chapter 414.
Saint Paul Massage Establishment License Rules
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code §§ 412.01(a), 412.03, 412.04
No person shall engage in the business of operating a massage or bodywork center, either exclusively or in connection with any other business enterprise, within the City of Saint Paul without being licensed as provided in this chapter. No license issued under this chapter shall be transferable from one (1) person, business or corporation to another. [...] Massage or bodywork centers and solo ma...
Tobacco Retail License
Selling any tobacco, vape, or nicotine product at retail in Saint Paul requires a city license under Legislative Code § 324.01. The city caps the total number of licenses, 100 tobacco shop licenses and 15 tobacco products shop licenses citywide, and bars any new tobacco retailer from locating within a half-mile of an existing licensed tobacco shop.
Saint Paul Tobacco Retail License Rules
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code §§ 324.01, 324.04 (License Required; Fee, Duration, Limitation on Number of Licenses)
(a)No person may sell or offer for sale at retail within the city any licensed product or in any manner represent or hold themselves out as one who sells or offers for sale at retail any licensed product without a license from the city. [Sec. 324.01(a)] ... The total number of tobacco shop licenses issued under this chapter will not exceed one hundred (100). The total number of tobacco products...
Secondhand Dealers
Saint Paul secondhand and antique dealers need a city license under § 355.01(a) before buying or selling used goods, must hold any 'reportable' item, electronics, jewelry, firearms, gems, for 30 days before resale under § 355.04(c), and can't open before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. or buy from minors under § 355.05(a).
Saint Paul Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Significant RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code §§ 355.01(a), 355.04(c), 355.05(a)
(a)No person shall be engaged in the business of buying or selling secondhand goods or antiques of any kind in Saint Paul without a license to do so. ... No property purchased by any person licensed hereunder, which is the subject of a reportable transaction, shall be sold by or be permitted to be removed from the place of business of such licensee for a period of thirty (30) days after acquisi...
Pawnbrokers
Running a pawnshop in Saint Paul requires a city pawnbroker license under Legislative Code § 344.01, plus a $5,000 surety bond under § 344.03(b). Licensees must report every transaction to police daily via the Automated Pawn System, photograph each customer and item, and hold pledged goods for a minimum 90-day redemption period before they can be sold.
Saint Paul Pawnbroker License Requirements
Significant RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code §§ 344.01, 344.03(b) (License Required; Bond)
No person shall exercise, carry on or be engaged in the trade or business of pawnbroker in Saint Paul without a license. No pawnbroker license may be transferred from location to location or from person to person. [Sec. 344.01] ... Before any person shall be licensed as a pawnbroker, such applicant shall file a bond in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) with a duly licensed surety ...
Towing Companies
Saint Paul requires every wrecker or tow truck operator to hold a DSI-issued license under Chapter 361, post a $10,000 surety bond, call the police auto desk before hooking up any non-consent tow, and give written notice to the vehicle's registered owner within 48 hours.
Saint Paul Wrecker and Tow Truck License Rules
Significant RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code Sec. 361.02, 361.08
No person shall provide any wrecker or tow truck service as described in section 361.01 nor shall any person permit such service vehicles to be kept or maintained in the City of Saint Paul without being licensed under this chapter. ... Every wrecker or tow truck motor vehicle service licensee shall, prior to towing any vehicle, telephone to the auto desk of the police department, giving the lic...
Looking for Ramsey County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Saint Paul city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Ramsey County →