SF4467 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Dog parks establishment in restaurants and breweries authorization provision
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- To allow dog parks on the premises of restaurants or breweries and to establish minimum health, safety, and welfare requirements for such dog-friendly areas.
Main Provisions
- New Subdivision 1a: Dog parks in restaurants and breweries. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a restaurant or brewery may establish a dog park on its premises.
- Amendment to Subdivision 5 (Minimum requirements): The local ordinance must include regulations and limitations deemed reasonably necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare, with at least the following requirements clearly printed on conspicuously posted signs:
- Employees must be prohibited from touching, petting, or otherwise handling dogs.
- Employees and patrons must not allow dogs to come into contact with serving dishes, utensils, tableware, linens, paper products, or any other items involved in food service operations.
- Patrons must keep their dogs on a leash at all times and under reasonable control, except that dogs may be off leash in a dog park established under Subdivision 1a.
- Dogs must not be allowed on chairs, tables, or other furnishings.
- Dog waste must be cleaned immediately and the area sanitized.
Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new Subdivision 1a to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 157.175 to permit dog parks within the premises of restaurants or breweries.
- Revisions to Subdivision 5 of section 157.175 to incorporate the listed minimum requirements for dog park areas and associated public health and safety standards.
Compliance and Practical Considerations
- Local governments would regulate how such dog parks are operated within restaurants and breweries through the ordinance and required signage.
- Establishments must ensure staff and patrons follow the specified rules, particularly around interactions with dogs and food-service areas, leash use, and immediate cleanup of waste.
Significance
- Creates a formal framework for allowing dogs in dining-related venues while aiming to protect health and safety and maintain a safe dining environment.
Relevant Terms - dog parks - restaurants - breweries - Notwithstanding any law to the contrary - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 157.175 - subdivision 1a - subdivision 5 - health safety general welfare - signs - employees - patrons - leash - off leash - dog park - serving dishes - utensils - tableware - linens - paper products - food service operations - dog waste - area sanitized - chairs - tables - furnishings
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 17, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 17, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Health and Human Services |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds Subd. 1a (Dog parks in restaurants and breweries) to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 157.175.",
"Updates Subd. 5 minimum requirements for operating dog parks at restaurant or brewery premises (e.g., conspicuous signage, leash and control rules, prohibitions on handling dogs near food service, prohibitions on dogs on chairs/tables/furnishings, and immediate cleaning and sanitizing of waste areas)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 157.175 to authorize dog parks in restaurants and breweries by adding a new subdivision (Subd. 1a) and to revise the minimum requirements in Subd. 5 for dog park operations.",
"modified": [
"Subd. 5 is amended to implement the updated minimum requirements for dog parks."
]
},
"citation": "157.175",
"subdivision": "Subd. 5"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee