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15 permits · verified 2026-10-27

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

In short

A restaurant in Muskegon County, MI has 4 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 11 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). 10 of the 15 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-27 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.

Permits particular to a restaurant in Muskegon County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Fixed Food Service License (Public Health - Muskegon County)Public Health - Muskegon County2026: for-profit Fixed Food Service License $575.00 county (PHMC) portion + $30.00 State portion = $605.00 combined; non-profit $143.75 county + $5.00 State = $148.75 combined. The fee includes two routine evaluations and one associated follow-up evaluation (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25).not stated in the county's 2026 Food Service Fee Schedule; contact Public Health - Muskegon County Food Service Sanitation for the license period2026-10-27
Seasonal Food Service License (9 continuous months or less)only if it applies to youPublic Health - Muskegon County2026: for-profit Seasonal Food Service License $287.50 county (PHMC) portion + $30.00 State portion = $317.50 combined; non-profit $71.88 county + $5.00 State = $76.88 combined (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25).for an establishment operating 9 continuous months or less in a calendar year; license period not stated in the county's 2026 Food Service Fee Schedule2026-10-27
Food Service Plan Review, Partial Plan Review and Change of Ownership EvaluationPublic Health - Muskegon County2026: Food Service Plan Review $500.00; Partial Plan Review $300.00 (includes a special transitory food unit plan review); Change of Ownership or Relicensing Evaluation $250.00; Re-Evaluation Fee $170.00 if the establishment is not ready at the pre-opening evaluation (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25).one-time, before opening, conversion, remodeling or a change of ownership2026-10-27
Temporary Food Service License (events up to 14 consecutive days)only if it applies to youPublic Health - Muskegon County2026: for-profit Temporary Food Service License $150.00 county (PHMC) portion + $9.00 State portion = $159.00 combined; non-profit $37.50 county + $5.00 State = $42.50 combined (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25).per event, at a fixed location for no more than 14 consecutive days, as the county's temporary licensing page describes2026-10-27
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 Muskegon County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
On-Site Sewage (Septic) System Permit and Commercial Septic Plan Review (conditional — premises off public sewer)only if it applies to youPublic Health - Muskegon CountyVaries — formula on the Muskegon County pagepermits expire 24 months from the date of issuance2026-10-27
Water Well Permit (conditional — premises on a private well)only if it applies to youPublic Health - Muskegon CountyVaries — formula on the Muskegon County pagepermits expire 24 months from the date of issuance2026-10-27
Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) Permit (commercial site)only if it applies to youMuskegon County Department of Public WorksVaries — formula on the Muskegon County pageone year, which may be extended for an additional year if an extension request is received before the permit expires2026-10-27
Commercial Right-of-Way Permit and Commercial Driveway Site Plan Review (Muskegon County Road Commission)only if it applies to youMuskegon County Road CommissionVaries — formula on the Muskegon County pageper permit, obtained before work in the county road right-of-way begins2026-10-27

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 Muskegon County?

There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 15 records listed for a restaurant in Muskegon County, MI, 4 apply to every business of this type and 11 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.

10 of the 15 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:

Fixed Food Service License (Public Health - Muskegon County): 2026: for-profit Fixed Food Service License $575.00 county (PHMC) portion + $30.00 State portion = $605.00 combined; non-profit $143.75 county + $5.00 State = $148.75 combined. The fee includes two routine evaluations and one associated follow-up evaluation (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25).

Seasonal Food Service License (9 continuous months or less): 2026: for-profit Seasonal Food Service License $287.50 county (PHMC) portion + $30.00 State portion = $317.50 combined; non-profit $71.88 county + $5.00 State = $76.88 combined (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25).

Food Service Plan Review, Partial Plan Review and Change of Ownership Evaluation: 2026: Food Service Plan Review $500.00; Partial Plan Review $300.00 (includes a special transitory food unit plan review); Change of Ownership or Relicensing Evaluation $250.00; Re-Evaluation Fee $170.00 if the establishment is not ready at the pre-opening evaluation (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25).

Temporary Food Service License (events up to 14 consecutive days): 2026: for-profit Temporary Food Service License $150.00 county (PHMC) portion + $9.00 State portion = $159.00 combined; non-profit $37.50 county + $5.00 State = $42.50 combined (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25).

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 Muskegon County permits page and the MI state page.

Which offices issue these permits in Muskegon County?

Permits for a restaurant in Muskegon County, MI come from 6 separate offices: Public Health - Muskegon County, Muskegon County Department of Public Works, Muskegon 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 Muskegon County that other businesses do not?

Seasonal Food Service License (9 continuous months or less)

Public Health - Muskegon County's 2026 fee schedule offers a Seasonal Food Service License for a fixed food establishment "operating 9 continuous months or less in a calendar year", such as a summer ice cream stand or lakeside restaurant. For 2026 the for-profit seasonal license is $317.50 combined ($287.50 county portion plus $30.00 State portion) and the non-profit seasonal license is $76.88 combined ($71.88 county plus $5.00 State). The figures are from the county's official "Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026" (revised 12/16/25), a calendar-year 2026 schedule in effect through December 31, 2026. The schedule's footnote states: "State fees are charged in addition to Public Health - Muskegon County fees. State and TFU fees are subject to change and are not established at the discretion of the County of Muskegon." Contact Public Health - Muskegon County Food Service Sanitation at 231-724-4406 or publichealth.foodservice@co.muskegon.mi.us.

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 Muskegon County

  • Fixed Food Service License (Public Health - Muskegon County) — Public Health - Muskegon County, 2026: for-profit Fixed Food Service License $575.00 county (PHMC) portion + $30.00 State portion = $605.00 combined; non-profit $143.75 county + $5.00 State = $148.75 combined. The fee includes two routine evaluations and one associated follow-up evaluation (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25)., not stated in the county's 2026 Food Service Fee Schedule; contact Public Health - Muskegon County Food Service Sanitation for the license period. Also required for coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
  • Food Service Plan Review, Partial Plan Review and Change of Ownership Evaluation — Public Health - Muskegon County, 2026: Food Service Plan Review $500.00; Partial Plan Review $300.00 (includes a special transitory food unit plan review); Change of Ownership or Relicensing Evaluation $250.00; Re-Evaluation Fee $170.00 if the establishment is not ready at the pre-opening evaluation (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25)., one-time, before opening, conversion, remodeling or a change of ownership. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
  • Temporary Food Service License (events up to 14 consecutive days) — Public Health - Muskegon County, 2026: for-profit Temporary Food Service License $150.00 county (PHMC) portion + $9.00 State portion = $159.00 combined; non-profit $37.50 county + $5.00 State = $42.50 combined (Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026, revised 12/16/25)., per event, at a fixed location for no more than 14 consecutive days, as the county's temporary licensing page describes. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops 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 Muskegon County, MI; what each one involves is set out on the Muskegon County 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 Muskegon County?

The closest match is a coffee shop, which shares 6 of these permits. A coffee shop needs Limited Food Service License (non-potentially hazardous food only) and Retail Food Establishment License, which a restaurant does not.

Permits particular to each business type in Muskegon County, MI, compared with a restaurant
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a restaurantOnly a restaurant needsOnly it needs
Coffee shops8602
Food trucks7423
Auto repair shops2062
Childcare centres1061
Contractors and trades1061
Fitness studios1061
Retail stores1061
Salons and barbers3063
Veterinary clinics1061

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 coffee shops page and food trucks page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the Muskegon County permits page and the MI state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.

  1. Food Service Fee Schedule as of January 1, 2026 (Revised 12/16/25)Public Health - Muskegon County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
  2. Food Service LicensingPublic Health - Muskegon County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
  3. Michigan Administrative Code regulation 570 — food establishment manager certificationMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
  4. 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.