What permits do you need to open a food truck in Genesee County Mi?

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.

Retail Food Establishment License

This is the state license that does exist, and it is not the restaurant one. A retail food establishment, a limited wholesale processor or a food warehouse pays $186; an extended retail food establishment — a shop serving unpackaged food with seating — pays $471; a mobile food establishment or its commissary pays $192; a temporary establishment $73; a transitory food unit $159 plus a first-year $197 plan review and a $90 inspection. Widely republished figures of $135 are out of date. One oddity is recorded rather than explained: every published amount runs exactly $3 above the figure in the statute, and while the law permits a convenience fee, no source confirms that is what the $3 is. Licenses do not transfer to a new owner or a new location.

Shared with other businesses in Genesee County Mi

• Temporary Food Service License — Genesee County Health Department, Environmental Health Division, Temporary 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 location. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Food Service Establishment License — 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, annual — expires 30 April. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Certified Food Safety Manager — Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, No fee, certificates are typically valid five years, set by the certifying provider. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.