Who needs a food service establishment license in Michigan?
Issued by Your local health department, under the Michigan Food Law, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Food eaten on the premises is licensed by the county or district health department: submit the plan review at least 30 days before opening, pass the opening inspection, then post the license. A place that mostly sells food to take away is licensed by MDARD instead.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your local health department, under the Michigan Food Law.
Sources and dates
MDARD food establishment licensing pages (food service is licensed locally). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Food eaten on the premises is licensed by the county or district health department: submit the plan review at least 30 days before opening, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
Yes. Food eaten on the premises is licensed by the county or district health department: submit the plan review at least 30 days before opening, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Food eaten on the premises is licensed by the county or district health department: submit the plan review at least 30 days before opening, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Food eaten on the premises is licensed by the county or district health department: submit the plan review at least 30 days before opening, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Food eaten on the premises is licensed by the county or district health department: submit the plan review at least 30 days before opening, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Food eaten on the premises is licensed by the county or district health department: submit the plan review at least 30 days before opening, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Food eaten on the premises is licensed by the county or district health department: submit the plan review at least 30 days before opening, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Food eaten on the premises is licensed by the county or district health department: submit the plan review at least 30 days before opening, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In Michigan it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
Your local health department, under the Michigan Food Law.
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a food service establishment license in Michigan?
