Commercial Compliance Hub
Check requirements

14 permits · verified 2026-10-10

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

In short

A restaurant in Genesee County Mi, MI has 4 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 10 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau charges $50 one-time filing, non-refundable for the articles of organization (llc). 9 of the 14 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-10 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.

Permits particular to a restaurant in Genesee County Mi

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
On-Premises Liquor License — Michigan Liquor Control Commission with City, Township or Village Approvalonly if it applies to youMichigan Liquor Control CommissionThe license fee is charged by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission under the Michigan Liquor Control Code (MCL 436.1501(2) refers to the license fee specified in section 525); this record carries no county fee.a full-year license expires April 30 following issuance2026-10-10
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
Food Service Establishment LicenseMichigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development$338–$1,333 a year, set by the local health department; the state's embedded share is $30annual — expires 30 April2026-09-03
Certified Food Safety Manageronly if it applies to youMichigan Department of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentNo feecertificates are typically valid five years, set by the certifying provider2026-09-03

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

Local permits that apply to every type of business in Genesee County Mi

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
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 DivisionVaries — formula on the Genesee County Mi pagesoil 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 DivisionVaries — formula on the Genesee County Mi pageone-time, per well2026-10-10
Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) Permit (multi-family, commercial or industrial site)only if it applies to youGenesee County Drain Commissioner, Division of Water & Waste ServicesVaries — formula on the Genesee County Mi pageper permit; minimum 6-month duration including renewal2026-10-10
County Road Right-of-Way Permit (driveways, commercial site construction and other work)only if it applies to youGenesee County Road CommissionVaries — formula on the Genesee County Mi pageper permit2026-10-10

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

MI registrations that apply to every type of business

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to youMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau$50 one-time filing, non-refundableno expiry, but an annual statement is due every 15 February2026-09-03
Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to youMichigan 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 sharesno expiry, but an annual report is due every 15 May2026-09-03
General Business License — Michigan state positiononly if it applies to youMichigan Department of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentNo feenot applicable at state level2026-09-03
Sales Tax LicenseMichigan Department of TreasuryNo feeissued yearly, valid January to December2026-09-03
Annual Report or Annual Statementonly if it applies to youMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing BureauVaries — formula on the MI pageannual — 15 February for an LLC, 15 May for a corporation2026-09-03

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

How much does it actually cost to permit a restaurant in Genesee County Mi?

There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 14 records listed for a restaurant in Genesee County Mi, MI, 4 apply to every business of this type and 10 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.

9 of the 14 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 3 have no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:

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

On-Premises Liquor License — Michigan Liquor Control Commission with City, Township or Village Approval: The license fee is charged by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission under the Michigan Liquor Control Code (MCL 436.1501(2) refers to the license fee specified in section 525); this record carries no county fee.

Temporary Food Service License: 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).

Food Service Establishment License: $338–$1,333 a year, set by the local health department; the state's embedded share is $30

The other 5 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the Genesee County Mi permits page and the MI state page.

Which offices issue these permits in Genesee County Mi?

Permits for a restaurant in Genesee County Mi, MI come from 7 separate offices: Genesee County Health Department, Environmental Health Division, Michigan Liquor Control Commission, Genesee County Drain Commissioner, Division of Water & Waste Services, Genesee County Road Commission, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Department of Treasury. No single office issues them all, which is why an opening means filing in several places rather than one.

What does a restaurant need in Genesee County Mi that other businesses do not?

1 of the 5 permits particular to a restaurant here applies to no other business type we cover in Genesee County Mi: On-Premises Liquor License — Michigan Liquor Control Commission with City, Township or Village Approval.

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.

On-Premises Liquor License — Michigan Liquor Control Commission with City, Township or Village Approval

A restaurant in Genesee County that wants to serve alcohol for consumption on the premises needs a license from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. MCL 436.1501(2) states that such an application, 'except in a city having a population of 600,000 or more, must be approved by the local legislative body in which the applicant's place of business is located before the license is granted by the commission.' In Genesee County that approval comes from the council or board of the city, township or village where the restaurant is located, not from the county. Under the same section a full-year license expires on April 30 following issuance, and a renewal needs local approval only if the local legislative body files an objection not less than 30 days before the expiration date. Under MCL 436.1501(2) the license is granted by the commission, so this record carries no county fee.

Certified Food Safety Manager

No state fee — Michigan neither teaches the course nor issues the certificate, and the cost and length vary by provider. What the law does require is that a food service establishment, an extended retail food establishment or a food service operation inside a grocery employs at least one managerial food safety manager certified under an accredited programme. The rule adds that the certified manager must be a full-time employee but need not be present during all opening hours. Temporary establishments, vending locations and low-risk establishments are exempt. Ninety days are allowed to replace a departed manager or after a change of ownership, but a newly licensed establishment needs one from its first day. There is no statewide food handler card; local health departments may register individuals, and none of the six largest jurisdictions checked does.

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 coffee shops, food trucks 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 coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.

The other 4 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in Genesee County Mi, MI; what each one involves is set out on the Genesee County Mi permits page. The 5 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across MI and are covered on the MI state page.

How does a restaurant compare with other businesses in Genesee County Mi?

The closest match is a coffee shop, which shares 4 of these permits. A restaurant also needs On-Premises Liquor License — Michigan Liquor Control Commission with City, Township or Village Approval. A coffee shop needs Retail Food Establishment License, which a restaurant does not.

Permits particular to each business type in Genesee County Mi, MI, compared with a restaurant
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a restaurantOnly a restaurant needsOnly it needs
Coffee shops5411
Food trucks6323
Retail stores2141
Auto repair shops2052
Childcare centres1051
Contractors and trades2052
Fitness studios0050
Salons and barbers3053
Veterinary clinics1051

Sources

Every figure for the permits explained on this page was read from one of these government pages on the date shown. Sources for the permits shared with other businesses are listed with their explanations on the retail stores page and coffee shops page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the Genesee County Mi permits page and the MI state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.

  1. Fee Schedule - Revised 2/4/2026 (Food Service Sanitation Program), Division of Environmental Health ServicesGenesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
  2. Food Service (restaurants) - Inspections, Licensing - Additional Information (links the 2026 Food Service fee schedule)Genesee County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
  3. Plan Review - New Facilities, Food Trucks, and RemodelingGenesee 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. MCL 436.1501, Michigan Liquor Control Code — local legislative body approval of on-premises licensesMichigan Legislature · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  6. Michigan Administrative Code regulation 570 — food establishment manager certificationMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
  7. 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

Related

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.