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Opening a Business
The City of Elk River economic environment is thriving. Are you interested in opening a new business or expanding an existing business in Elk River? This page will help you learn about the variety of potential businesses, where they can open, and information to guide you through the process.
Potential Commercial Businesses
(* = description down below) | ||
Business Type | Zoning | Approval Needed - Click HERE to view Permits Chart |
| Brewer Taproom* (less than 10,000 barrels) | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit | |
| Brewer Taproom* (more than 10,000 barrels) | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Car Dealership (Motor Vehicle Sales) | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Fitness (Personal Service Establishment) | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Medical/Dental/Optical Clinic (Outpatient) | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Microbreweries* | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Microdistilleries* | View Map | Conditional Use Permit |
| Motor Vehicle Repair (Auto-Repair) | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Office | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Religious Institution | View Map | Conditional Use Permit |
| Restaurant* (Class 1 - Sit-Down) | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Restaurant* (Class 2 - Fast Food/Drive-Thru) | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Retail (Sales) | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Salon/Massage/Tattoo (Personal Service) | View Map | Permitted Use |
Potential Industrial Businesses
(* = description down below) | ||
Business Type | Zoning | Approval Needed - Click HERE to view Permits Chart |
| Heavy Manufacturing* (raw material used) | Conditional Use Permit | |
| Light Manufacturing* (pre-made material used) | View Map | Permitted Use or Conditional Use Permit |
| Mini Storage | View Map | Conditional Use Permit |
| Outdoor Storage | View Map | Conditional Use Permit |
| Salvage Yard (Junkyard) | I3 Zoning District View Map | Conditional Use Permit |
| Truck Terminal | I2 and I3 Zoning Districts View Map | Conditional Use Permit |
| Warehouse | View Map | Permitted Use |
If you do not see your business idea in the above chart, please contact us at 763.635.1000 or send us an email to discuss or ask questions. We look forward to hearing from you.
Conditional Use Permits are reviewed through a public hearing process at the Planning Commission and City Council after submittal of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). If all required information is submitted, and no unforeseen issues arise, the CUP process takes about two months from application deadline to the review at City Council. Once a CUP is approved, site inspections may be required for compliance to City Council-approved conditions and the CUP must be recorded at Sherburne County. All conditions must be met and the CUP recorded before you can start operating your business. The timeline after City Council approval is driven by you the applicant.
CLICK HERE to visit the Permit Portal.
Permitted Use is reviewed administratively by city staff after submittal of a Site Plan Application. The site plan review process takes approximately two to four weeks to complete. This timeline varies depending on the level and type of development proposed.
CLICK HERE to visit the Permit Portal.
Brewer taproom means a state licensed brewer under Minn. Stats. § 340A.301 subdiv. 6(c), (i), or (j) permitting the on-sale consumption of malt liquor produced by the brewer for consumption on the premises of a brewery or an abutting property in common ownership of the brewer, which may include the sales of malt liquor produced and packaged at the brewery for off-premises consumption as allowed by Minnesota Statutes.
Brewpub means a state licensed brewer under Minn. Stats. § 340A.301, subdiv. 6(d) with a restaurant use operated on the same premises as the brewery. To sell their own malt liquor, a brewpub is required to obtain an intoxicating on-sale liquor license and may obtain an on-sale Sunday liquor license if they want to be open on Sundays.
Microbrewery is a facility licensed under Minn. Stats. § 340A.301, subdiv. 6(c), (i), or (j) and may brew no more than 20,000 barrels of its own brands of malt liquor annually. The on-site sale of malt liquor is limited to off-sale only. Off-sale malt liquor shall be sold in 64-ounce growler or in 750 milliliter bottles, and is limited to 500 barrels annually. Microbreweries are not permitted to sell more than ten percent of their product on-site.
Microdistillery means a state licensed distillery producing distilled spirits with a total quantity not to exceed 40,000 proof gallons in a calendar year.
Restaurant, class I means a restaurant where food served to the customer is to be consumed by the customer while seated on the premises. Class I restaurants are of a traditional or sit-down variety restaurant where food is served to a customer at a table while seated, as distinguished from the fast food or convenience variety. Carryout food sales are permitted if incidental to a sit-down restaurant.
Restaurant, class II means a restaurant where a majority of customers order and are served their food at a counter in packages prepared to leave the premises, or able to be taken to a table, counter, automobile, or off the premises to be consumed; or a drive-in where most customers consume their food in an automobile regardless of how it is served.
*Manufacturing, heavy means a use engaged in the basic processing, manufacturing, packaging, assembly, compounding or treatment of materials or products predominantly from extracted or raw materials, or a use engaged in storage of or manufacturing processes using flammable or explosive materials, or storage or manufacturing processes that potentially involve hazardous or commonly recognized offensive conditions.
*Manufacturing, light, means a use engaged in the manufacture, fabrication, processing, packaging or assembly, predominantly from previously prepared materials, of finished products or parts, but excluding basic industrial processing. The activities shall take place in a manner which will not produce offensive conditions observable from neighboring properties.
City planning staff is here to assist you with the review process of your business. Prior to submitting a Site Plan or CUP application, please contact us at 763.635.1000 or send us an email with any questions, to discuss the desired location, review required information, and verify if additional reviews/applications (platting, easement vacations, etc.) may be required.
Follow this link and once you are in the online code, please scroll to your specific zoning district (for example: Sec 30-871 for C-3 highway commercial district) to identify the sign regulations for your business.