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Genesee County

Genesee County Health Department, Environmental Health Division

In short

Genesee County Health Department, Environmental Health Division issues 8 permits we publish for Genesee County, last verified 2026-10-10. Each carries the fee as the agency publishes it, with a link to the schedule it was read from.

What this agency issues

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Food Service License (fixed establishment, annual) and Plan ReviewGenesee County Health Department, Environmental Health DivisionAnnual license, combined State of Michigan and county total, by category: $360 (satellite school kitchen, senior center, religious organization, intermittent food service, school concession, government institution); $540 (serving only, bar only, ice cream only, concession, donut, bagel, smoothie, tea or coffee shop); $720 (full service without alcohol, bar with small food menu, fast food, take-out pizza, catering, ethnic menu without alcohol); $720 (full prep school kitchen, fraternal/civic organization); $880 (full service with alcohol, institutional setting). Full plan review, non-refundable, in the same order: $620 / $900 / $1,100 / $700 / $1,500, doubled if construction begins without prior approval. Late renewal of a fixed license: $140 one business day late plus $10 per business day thereafter (GCHD Fee Schedule - Revised 2/4/2026).annual; the licensing year runs May 1 to April 302026-10-10
Body Art Facility Plan Review (conditional — tattoo, piercing; before the MDHHS license)only if it applies to youGenesee County Health Department, Environmental Health Division$220 one-time plan review, per facilityone-time, before the state body art facility license application2026-10-10
Septic Installer License (annual, with surety bond)only if it applies to youGenesee County Health Department, Environmental Health Division$220 annual license fee plus a $35,000 surety bond on the county bond form, valid through the end of the year (county septic page).annual; the license and surety bond run through the end of the calendar year2026-10-10
Mobile Food Establishment License and Plan ReviewGenesee County Health Department, Environmental Health DivisionMobile food service license $300 a year (combined State of Michigan and county total); mobile plan review $500, one-time and non-refundable (GCHD Fee Schedule - Revised 2/4/2026).annual; the licensing year runs May 1 to April 302026-10-10
Transitory Food Unit (TFU) License, Plan Review and InspectionsGenesee County Health Department, Environmental Health DivisionTransitory food unit license $300 a year, or $120 for a non-profit TFU with proof of current 501(c)(3) (combined State of Michigan and county totals); TFU plan review $620, one-time and non-refundable; inspection fee $90 each, two inspections required every licensing year (GCHD Fee Schedule - Revised 2/4/2026).annual; the licensing year runs May 1 to April 30, and two paid inspections are required each year to renew2026-10-10
Temporary Food Service LicenseGenesee County Health Department, Environmental Health DivisionTemporary food service operating up to 14 days in the same location $140; non-profit temporary food service with proof of current 501(c)(3) $100; an establishment that applies less than 5 days before the event pays $80 in addition to the license fee; the fee for operating without a license is $160 in addition to the license fee (GCHD Fee Schedule - Revised 2/4/2026).per event, up to 14 days in the same location2026-10-10
On-Site Sewage Disposal (Septic) Soil Evaluation and Permit (conditional — premises off public sewer)only if it applies to youGenesee County Health Department, Environmental Health DivisionSoil evaluation (perc test) $280 commercial / $220 residential; septic permit $280 commercial / $220 residential, in addition to the soil evaluation fee; full system replacement $400 (residential or commercial); septic tank-only replacement $100 (county septic page).soil evaluation valid 5 years; issued permits valid 1 year from the date of issuance2026-10-10
Water Well Permit (conditional — premises on a private or Type III well)only if it applies to youGenesee County Health Department, Environmental Health DivisionPublic non-community well (Type III) $300; private residential well $200 (county wells page).one-time, per well2026-10-10

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

About each permit

Food Service License (fixed establishment, annual) and Plan Review

A fixed food service establishment in Genesee County, including one in the City of Flint, needs an annual food service license from the Genesee County Health Department. The license fee depends on the type of operation: $360 for satellite school kitchens, senior centers, religious organizations, intermittent food service, school concessions and government institutions; $540 for serving only, bar only, ice cream only, concessions and donut, bagel, smoothie, tea or coffee shops; $720 for full service without alcohol, bars with a small food menu, fast food, take-out pizza, catering and ethnic menus without alcohol; $720 for full prep school kitchens and fraternal or civic organizations; and $880 for full service with alcohol and institutional settings. The schedule states that 'Local license fees include State of Michigan license fee & surcharges for education funds', so each figure is a combined state-plus-county total, and that the GCHD portion of the license fee for new operations is reduced by 50% after November 1 each year. A new establishment first pays the non-refundable full plan review fee for its category ($620, $900, $1,100, $700 or $1,500), doubled if construction begins without prior approval. A fixed license renewed one business day late costs an extra $140, plus $10 per business day thereafter. The figures are from the Genesee County Health Department's 'Fee Schedule - Revised 2/4/2026', which the county's food service page presents as the 2026 Fee Schedule. Section 1.108 of the county Environmental Health Regulations provides that fees are fixed under a separate schedule adopted and revised periodically by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners; the Board resolution for the February 4, 2026 revision is not published on the county website. The county's plan review page states that the licensing year is May 1 to April 30.

Body Art Facility Plan Review (conditional — tattoo, piercing; before the MDHHS license)

A salon or studio that will offer body art in Genesee County first obtains a plan review from the Genesee County Health Department's Environmental Health Division. The county's Environmental Health program page states that before a new or initial license to operate is granted, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services requires the facility to go through a plan review conducted by the local health department, lists the plan review fee as $220, and warns: 'Do NOT apply for the MDHHS license until the plan review has been completed.' The figure is from that official county program page as published in 2026. The body art facility license itself is issued by MDHHS at the state's own fee. A salon that offers no body art services is outside this record.

Septic Installer License (annual, with surety bond)

A contractor who installs septic systems in Genesee County needs a septic installer license from the Genesee County Health Department. The county septic page states that after passing the installer requirements the applicant submits the installer application, a $35,000 surety bond on the required bond form (valid through the end of the year) and the $220 annual license fee; license and identification stickers are then mailed and the company is added to the public list of licensed installers. The figures are from the county's official septic page. The septic page states that a GCHD-licensed septic contractor, or the property owner under Environmental Health supervision, must install each permitted system. A contractor that does not install septic systems is outside this record.

Mobile Food Establishment License and Plan Review

A food truck or other mobile food establishment licensed by the Genesee County Health Department pays a one-time mobile plan review fee of $500 and a yearly license fee of $300; the county's plan review page lists the same two figures ('Mobile Plan Review Fee: $500', 'Yearly License Fee: $300'). The license figure is a combined total that includes the State of Michigan license fee and education surcharges. The figures are from the Genesee County Health Department's 'Fee Schedule - Revised 2/4/2026', which the county's food service page presents as the 2026 Fee Schedule. Section 1.108 of the county Environmental Health Regulations provides that fees are fixed under a separate schedule adopted and revised periodically by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners; the Board resolution for the February 4, 2026 revision is not published on the county website. The same schedule lists $240 for a remodel of a currently licensed mobile unit by its current owner, $240 for a new owner evaluation and $360 for a new owner and remodel.

Transitory Food Unit (TFU) License, Plan Review and Inspections

A transitory food unit licensed by the Genesee County Health Department pays a one-time TFU plan review fee of $620, a yearly license fee of $300 ($120 for a non-profit TFU with proof of current 501(c)(3)) and a $90 inspection fee for each inspection. The county's plan review page states that two inspections are required every year, including the first year of operation (the pre-opening inspection is not an operational inspection), to renew for the next licensing year, and that inspection requests must be submitted with payment at least four days before the desired inspection date. The figures are from the Genesee County Health Department's 'Fee Schedule - Revised 2/4/2026', which the county's food service page presents as the 2026 Fee Schedule. Section 1.108 of the county Environmental Health Regulations provides that fees are fixed under a separate schedule adopted and revised periodically by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners; the Board resolution for the February 4, 2026 revision is not published on the county website. The schedule's license figures include the State of Michigan license fee and education surcharges, and it adds $80 for operating without submitting an Intent to Operate.

Temporary Food Service License

A food vendor at a temporary event in Genesee County needs a Temporary Food Service License from the Genesee County Health Department. The fee schedule sets $140 for temporary food service operating up to 14 days in the same location and $100 for a non-profit temporary food service with proof of current 501(c)(3). An establishment that applies less than 5 days before the event pays an additional $80, the fee for operating without a license is an additional $160, and the schedule states that 'Operators applying only 1 day in advance may be denied license.' The figures are from the Genesee County Health Department's 'Fee Schedule - Revised 2/4/2026', which the county's food service page presents as the 2026 Fee Schedule. Section 1.108 of the county Environmental Health Regulations provides that fees are fixed under a separate schedule adopted and revised periodically by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners; the Board resolution for the February 4, 2026 revision is not published on the county website. The county's temporary license page lists the same $140, $100, $80 and $160 amounts and states that it is the vendor's responsibility to know and follow any additional requirements of the city or township where food will be served.

On-Site Sewage Disposal (Septic) Soil Evaluation and Permit (conditional — premises off public sewer)

A business premises that is not on a public sewer needs a soil evaluation and a septic permit from the Genesee County Health Department. The county septic page states that a soil evaluation (perc test) is required before a septic permit can be issued and is valid for 5 years, at $280 for commercial and $220 for residential property; the permit costs another $280 commercial or $220 residential, in addition to the perc test fee, and issued permits are valid for 1 year from issuance. A full system replacement costs $400 and a septic tank-only replacement $100. The figures are from the county's official septic page. The page also requires a street address assigned by the Genesee County Road Commission before a soil evaluation is scheduled, and installation by a GCHD-licensed septic contractor or by the property owner under Environmental Health supervision. The county Construction Standards, dated and effective April 15, 2026 under Chapter VI of the Environmental Health Regulations, set the technical requirements and require commercial systems to meet the Michigan Subsurface Sewage Disposal Criteria. A premises on a public sewer has no septic permit under this record.

Water Well Permit (conditional — premises on a private or Type III well)

A business premises that draws its water from its own well needs a well permit from the Genesee County Health Department before the well is drilled. The county wells page lists $300 for a public non-community (Type III) well and $200 for a private residential well. The figures are from the county's official wells page. Type III public wells are governed by the county Environmental Health Regulations, which the Health Department enforces throughout the county, including all cities, villages and townships. The wells page also states that state law requires the well owner to collect a safe bacteria water test from a new well before using it. A premises on a public water supply needs no well permit under this record.

Contact

Jurisdiction
Genesee County
Phone
810-257-3603

Contact details are taken from the agency’s own site or its published fee schedule. Where we have not verified a phone number we leave it blank rather than guess.

Sources

Every fee and term above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.

  1. Environmental Health program page (body art plan review, public swimming pools, child care inspections)Genesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
  2. Fee Schedule - Revised 2/4/2026 (Food Service Sanitation Program), Division of Environmental Health ServicesGenesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
  3. Food Service (restaurants) - Inspections, Licensing - Additional Information (links the 2026 Food Service fee schedule)Genesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
  4. Genesee County Environmental Health Regulations (§1.104 jurisdiction; §1.108 fees)Genesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
  5. On-site sewage disposal Construction Standards (dated 4/15/2026; changes effective 4/15/2026)Genesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
  6. Plan Review - New Facilities, Food Trucks, and RemodelingGenesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
  7. Septic: GCHD Environmental Health ProgramGenesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
  8. Temporary Food Service LicenseGenesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
  9. Wells: Planning, Permits, Bacteria TestingGenesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10

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