Michigan · 3 jurisdictions covered
Business licences and permits in Michigan
Michigan’s agriculture department licenses shops, not restaurants — those go to the local health department, which sets its own fee. It licenses residential builders but not commercial ones, and it does register auto repair shops.
What applies everywhere in Michigan
15 requirements are set by Michigan itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.
| Requirement | Issued by | Fee | Applies | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report or Annual Statement | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau | $20–$75 a year — $25 for an LLC or corporation, $75 for a professional LLC, $20 for a nonprofit | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Incorporation | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau | $60 one-time minimum — a $10 fee plus an organization fee from $50, banded by authorised shares | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Organization (LLC) | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau | $50 one-time filing, non-refundable | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Barbershop Licence | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing | $130 application and first two-year licence; $80 to renew | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Certified Food Safety Manager | Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Child Care Centre Licence | Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential, Child Care Licensing Bureau | $150–$300 original application, banded by capacity; renewal is exactly half | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Cosmetology Establishment Licence | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing | $75 application and first two-year licence; $50 to renew | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Food Service Establishment Licence | Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development | $338–$1,333 a year, set by the local health department; the state's embedded share is $30 | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| General Business Licence (does not exist in Michigan) | Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Mechanic Certification | Michigan Department of State, Business Licensing Section | $25 original application, plus $18 for each category test; $20 to renew | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Motor Vehicle Repair Facility Registration | Michigan Department of State, Business Licensing Section | $100–$500 a year, banded by gross annual revenue | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Residential Builder Licence | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes | $195 application; $150 to renew every three years | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Retail Food Establishment Licence | Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development | $73–$471 a year, by establishment type | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Sales Tax Licence | Michigan Department of Treasury | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Veterinary Facility Registration (not required by Michigan) | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
Which Michigan city are you opening in?
- Detroit, MIDetroit runs its own food licensing program directly through its own Health Department rather than deferring to Wayne County. Its 'Motor Vehicle Service' licence covers both repair shops and secondhand parts dealers under one category.8 published records
- Grand Rapids, MIThe City licenses only eighteen specific business categories, never a general one, and routes food permitting entirely to Kent County Health Department — the city's own vendor page directs applicants straight to the county.7 published records
- Warren, MIMacomb County Health Department permits Warren's restaurants; the City separately requires its own Restaurant licence on top of that. Warren calls its occupancy document a Certificate of Compliance rather than a certificate of occupancy.6 published records
Is there a single Michigan business licence?
No. Michigan has no single licence that covers every business. What you need depends on your industry, your city and your county, and most of the obligations that matter are issued locally rather than at state level.
The state-level registrations that do apply to nearly everyone are tax accounts rather than licences — which is why they are easy to miss.
Who issues permits in Michigan?
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentRetail and wholesale food establishment licensing · Mobile food establishment licensing · Food safety manager requirements4 permits
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional LicensingCosmetology establishment licensing · Barbershop licensing · Veterinarian licensing3 permits
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing BureauEntity registration · Annual reports and statements3 permits
- Michigan Department of State, Business Licensing SectionMotor vehicle repair facility registration · Mechanic certification2 permits
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesResidential builder licensing · Electrical, plumbing and mechanical licensing1 permit
- Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential, Child Care Licensing BureauChild care centre licensing · Child care home licensing1 permit
- Michigan Department of TreasurySales tax licences · Business tax registration1 permit
By industry
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.