Business licenses and permits in Michigan

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.

Sources

Every statewide figure above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.

1. Michigan LARA — annual reports and annual statementsMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
2. Michigan LARA form CSCL/CD 500 — Articles of Incorporation, with the authorised-shares organization fee tableMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
3. Michigan LARA form CSCL/CD 700 — Articles of Organization for a domestic limited liability companyMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
4. Michigan LARA — barbershop licensing guideMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
5. Michigan Administrative Code regulation 570 — food establishment manager certificationMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
6. Michigan MDARD — new business information packet, covering food safety manager certification cost and termMichigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
7. Michigan MiLEAP — apply for a child care centre licenseMichigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
8. Michigan MiLEAP — apply for a child care home licenseMichigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
9. Michigan LARA — cosmetology establishment licensing guideMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
10. Michigan MDARD — food service establishments, confirming they are licensed by local health departments and not by MDARDMichigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
11. City of Detroit Health Department — food service license fee schedule, effective 1 January 2026City of Detroit · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
12. Washtenaw County Health Department — environmental health applications, forms and fees, effective 1 January 2026Washtenaw County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
13. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development — licensing, confirming not every business needs a state licenseMichigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
14. Michigan LARA — business roadmap, confirming the Corporations Division issues no licensesMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
15. Michigan Department of State — repair facility manual chapter 7, mechanic certification feesMichigan Department of State · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
16. Michigan Department of State — motor vehicle repair facility original application, with the fee scale effective 1 July 2026Michigan Department of State · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
17. Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes — builder license feesMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
18. Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes — builders FAQ, confirming Michigan licenses residential but not commercial buildersMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
19. Michigan MDARD — food establishment license fees and scheduleMichigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
20. Michigan Department of Treasury — sales tax license frequently asked questionsMichigan Department of Treasury · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
21. Michigan Administrative Code — veterinary medicine general rules, in which the former facility rules are all rescindedMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03

Which Michigan city are you opening in?

• Oakland County, MIOakland County's own service-directory pages state that 'Oakland County does not require a business license' and that building permits and licenses are the responsibility of the city, village or township where a business sits, and its Master Plan & Township Zoning Review page states that 'Oakland County does not have a Planning Commission,' describing the county's zoning role as review of township rezoning requests at community borders or involving County property; Michigan counties are limited-home-rule units. The county's regulatory footprint over the ten covered industries runs almost entirely through the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) Environmental Health Services Unit — fixed, mobile, STFU and temporary food licensing, the certified-food-manager mandate, body art facility licensing and practitioner permitting, public swimming pool inspection, child care and adult foster care facility inspection, water well permits, and on-site sewage (septic) permits and installer licensing — plus the County Clerk's Assumed Name (DBA) certificate, the Road Commission for Oakland County's (RCOC) county road right-of-way construction permit, and Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center's conditional commercial kennel license. Unlike Wayne County, no municipality in Oakland County runs its own local health department, so every OCHD food and environmental-health record listed here applies countywide with no city carve-out. Where the state, not the county, issues the underlying license — public swimming pools (EGLE) and child care/adult foster care facilities (MDHHS/LARA) — Oakland County's role is limited to performing the state-required local inspection and charging its own inspection fees under the 2026 Environmental Health Fee Schedule (for pools, $86 a year), independent of the state's own license fee and renewal cycle. Oakland County's official website migrated around September 19, 2026 from oakgov.com to oaklandcountymi.gov; both domains currently resolve, with oakgov.com redirecting to the matching oaklandcountymi.gov page.26 published records
• Wayne County, MIWayne County's own Services/Business page lists no general business license, and the Department of Public Services Engineering Division's Construction Permits page limits county construction permits to work in county road right-of-way rather than building construction - Michigan counties are limited-home-rule units, and building permits in Wayne County are issued by the county's 43 individual cities and townships. The county's own regulatory footprint over the ten covered industries runs almost entirely through the Health, Human & Veterans Services (HHVS) Department's Environmental Health Section — food service licensing and plan review, mobile/temporary food licensing, the certified-food-manager mandate, body art facility inspection, public swimming pool inspection, child/adult care facility inspection, water well permits and on-site sewage permits — plus the County Clerk's Assumed Name (DBA) certificate and the Department of Public Services Engineering Division's county-road right-of-way construction permit. Every Environmental Health food record applies only outside the City of Detroit, which licenses its own restaurants and food vendors through the separate Detroit Health Department. Where the state, not the county, issues the underlying license (Body Art, Public Swimming Pool), Wayne County's role is limited to performing the state-required local inspection and charging its own inspection fee, independent of the state's own license fee and renewal cycle.25 published records
• Macomb County, MIMacomb County, Michigan, seat Mount Clemens; population 886,175 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). The county records here run mainly through the Macomb County Health Department's Environmental Health Services Division, whose 2026 fee schedule (in effect January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026) covers food service licensing (fixed, mobile, special transitory food unit and temporary), food plan review, the county body art establishment permit, public pool inspection, child care facility environmental health inspection, and septic and well permits. The Public Works Commissioner issues soil erosion and sedimentation control permits outside the local units that hold municipal enforcing agency status (the county coverage map names Sterling Heights and St. Clair Shores), and the Department of Roads issues right-of-way permits for work on county roads. The county's Local Communities page lists 27 cities, villages and townships: Armada Township, Armada Village, Bruce Township, Lenox Township, Memphis, New Haven, Ray Township, Romeo, Richmond, Richmond Township, Washington Township, Chesterfield Township, Clinton Township, Harrison Township, Macomb Township, Mount Clemens, New Baltimore, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Utica, Center Line, Eastpointe, Fraser, Grosse Pointe Shores, Roseville, St. Clair Shores and Warren. Each of them runs its own business licensing, zoning and building permits, which stack on the county records listed here; the county Planning and Economic Development page describes the county's planning role as assisting 'with the land use and zoning functions of our local communities.'15 published records
• Washtenaw County, MIWashtenaw County, Michigan, seat Ann Arbor; population 373,875 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). Most county records here run through the Washtenaw County Health Department's Environmental Health Division under its 2026 Environmental Health Fee Schedule (effective January 1, 2026): food service licensing (fixed, seasonal, non-profit, mobile, special transitory food unit and temporary) with food plan review, body art facility plan review and inspection, public swimming pool licensing inspections, child care facility environmental health inspections, commercial onsite sewage and Type II well permits, and the Pollution Prevention (P2) Program, whose regulation applies throughout the county, in cities, villages and townships alike. The Water Resources Commissioner issues soil erosion and sedimentation control permits in the 14 local units its Commercial Projects page lists, and the Washtenaw County Road Commission issues right-of-way permits, including commercial driveway approaches, on county roads. The county's Cities, Townships & Villages page lists the cities of Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline and Ypsilanti, Barton Hills Village, and townships including Ann Arbor, Augusta, Bridgewater, Freedom, Lima, Lodi, Lyndon, Northfield, Pittsfield, Salem, Saline, Scio, Sharon, Sylvan, Webster, York and Ypsilanti; the county's soil erosion page also names Superior Township. City, village and township requirements, such as local business licensing, zoning and building permits, are set by each local unit and stack on the county records listed here; City of Ann Arbor licenses are city requirements. On-premises liquor licenses are issued by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, with the approval of the local legislative body required by MCL 436.1501(2).13 published records
• Ingham County, MIIngham County, Michigan, seat Mason; population 290,427 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). Most county records here run through the Ingham County Health Department's Environmental Health division, whose fees were set by Board of Commissioners Resolution #25-334 (adopted June 24, 2025, Health Department rates effective October 1, 2025): food service licensing (fixed, seasonal, mobile, special transitory food unit and temporary), child care and foster care environmental health inspections, public pool inspections, the tobacco and electronic smoking device retail sales license, Pollution Prevention (P2) reporting and inspection, and well and septic permits. The county tobacco regulation applies throughout the county, in cities, villages and townships alike. The Drain Commissioner is the County Enforcing Agency for soil erosion and sedimentation control outside Delhi Charter Township, the City of East Lansing, the City of Lansing, Meridian Charter Township and Lansing Charter Township, and issues drain crossing and tap-in permits; the Road Department issues right-of-way and driveway permits on county roads. The county's local units are the cities of East Lansing, Lansing, Leslie, Mason and Williamston; the villages of Dansville, Stockbridge and Webberville; and the townships of Alaiedon, Aurelius, Bunker Hill, Delhi, Ingham, Lansing, Leroy, Leslie, Locke, Meridian, Onondaga, Stockbridge, Vevay, Wheatfield, White Oak and Williamstown. City, village and township requirements, such as local business licensing and zoning, are set by each local unit and stack on the county records listed here.12 published records
• Ottawa County, MIOttawa County, Michigan; population 306,235 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). The county records here run mainly through the Ottawa County Department of Public Health's Environmental Public Health division, which licenses food service establishments (fixed, seasonal, mobile, transitory food unit and temporary), reviews food plans, and charges for child day care inspections, public swimming pool inspections, body art plan review and inspections, and septic and well permits, at the figures on its fee page effective October 1, 2026. The Ottawa County Water Resources Commissioner is the County Enforcing Agency for soil erosion and sedimentation control under Ordinance No. 16-01, except for earth changes permitted by a Municipal Enforcing Agency. The Ottawa County Road Commission permits all work within county road rights-of-way, including commercial driveways. Liquor licenses are issued by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, with on-premises applications approved by the local legislative body under MCL 436.1501(2). The Library of Michigan county guide lists seventeen townships: Allendale, Blendon, Chester, Crockery, Georgetown, Grand Haven, Holland, Jamestown, Olive, Park, Polkton, Port Sheldon, Robinson, Spring Lake, Tallmadge, Wright and Zeeland. The county's cities, villages and townships each run their own zoning, building permits and any local business licensing, which stack on the county records here.12 published records
• Genesee County, MIGenesee County, Michigan, seat Flint; population 402,279 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). The county records here run mainly through the Genesee County Health Department's Environmental Health Division, whose jurisdiction under §1.104 of the county Environmental Health Regulations runs 'throughout Genesee County, including all cities, villages and townships': food service licensing (fixed, mobile, transitory food unit and temporary) with food plan review, body art facility plan review before the state MDHHS license, septic soil evaluations, permits and installer licenses, and well permits. Its 2026 food license figures are combined totals that include the State of Michigan license fee and education surcharges. The Health Department's Environmental Health page states that it does not license public swimming pools or child care facilities, which are licensed by the state. The Genesee County Drain Commissioner is the county enforcing agency for soil erosion and sedimentation control (EGLE lists Burton's Department of Public Works as the municipal enforcing agency for Burton), and the Genesee County Road Commission issues permits for work within the county road right-of-way through the Oxcart Permit Systems portal. The Equalization Department's municipality page lists 33 local units: the cities of Burton, Clio, Davison, Fenton, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, Linden, Montrose, Mt. Morris and Swartz Creek; the townships of Argentine, Atlas, Clayton, Davison, Fenton, Flint, Flushing, Forest, Gaines, Genesee, Grand Blanc, Montrose, Mt. Morris, Mundy, Richfield, Thetford and Vienna; and the villages of Gaines, Goodrich, Lennon, Otisville and Otter Lake. Each of them runs its own business licensing, zoning and building permits, which stack on the county records listed here; City of Flint licenses are city requirements. On-premises liquor licenses are issued by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission with approval by the city, township or village under MCL 436.1501(2).11 published records
• Detroit, MIDetroit runs its own food licensing program directly through its own Health Department rather than deferring to Wayne County. Its 'Motor Vehicle Service' license covers both repair shops and secondhand parts dealers under one category.8 published records
• Kent County, MIKent County, Michigan, seat Grand Rapids; population 673,002 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). The county records here run mainly through the Kent County Health Department's Environmental Health division, which licenses and audits food facilities (restaurants, bars, caterers, coffee shops, cafes, mobile food carts and temporary food events), inspects body art facilities, runs the public swimming pool inspection and licensing program, inspects child care facilities and issues septic and well permits. The Kent County Road Commission issues the permit required under MCL 224.19b(1) for work in a county road right-of-way. Liquor licenses are issued by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, with on-premises applications approved by the local legislative body under MCL 436.1501(2). The county Treasurer's local units page lists 9 cities (Cedar Springs, East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Lowell, Rockford, Walker and Wyoming), 5 villages (Caledonia, Casnovia, Kent City, Sand Lake and Sparta) and 21 townships (Ada, Algoma, Alpine, Bowne, Byron, Caledonia, Cannon, Cascade, Courtland, Gaines, Grand Rapids, Grattan, Lowell, Nelson, Oakfield, Plainfield, Solon, Sparta, Spencer, Tyrone and Vergennes). The City of Grand Rapids' own requirements are listed on its city page.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 license 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 license?

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 licenses · Business tax registration1 permit

By industry

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