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

Food Service Plan Review (new or remodeled establishments, mobiles and STFUs)

A new or remodeled food service establishment in Washtenaw County submits plans to the Environmental Health Division before construction. The plan review fee is $554 for 0-1,000 sq ft, $988 for 1,001-3,000 sq ft and $1,467 for 3,001 sq ft or more; mobile food units and special transitory food units are charged the minimum $554. A minor alteration of a currently licensed establishment by its current owner is charged 50% of the fee ($277, $494 or $734). The figure is from the Washtenaw County Health Department's 2026 Environmental Health Fee Schedule, the county fee schedule linked from the Environmental Health Division's Applications, Forms & Fees page, which states that its fees are effective January 1, 2026. The schedule charges twice the plan review fee when remodeling or construction begins before plans are submitted and approved, 50% for resubmitted or modified plans after approval, and $170 for each site inspection beyond two. The county's Food Service Plan Review page states: 'Two pre-opening inspections are included in the plan review fee', and that approval to begin operation is granted during the pre-opening inspection.

Mobile Food Unit License

The county's Mobile Food Cart Licenses page describes a mobile food cart as a food service operation serving a limited menu from a small open-air push cart that must return to an approved commissary at least once every 24 hours, and directs applicants to submit a mobile plan review application and fee to the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division. The fee schedule charges mobile food units the minimum square-footage license fee: $474 local + $30 state = $504 a year, or $274 for a non-profit and $314 for a seasonal unit, plus a $554 plan review. The figure is from the Washtenaw County Health Department's 2026 Environmental Health Fee Schedule, the county fee schedule linked from the Environmental Health Division's Applications, Forms & Fees page, which states that its fees are effective January 1, 2026. The page also requires at least one certified food managerial employee on the working staff. A unit that travels around the state as a special transitory food unit is recorded separately.

Special Transitory Food Unit (STFU) License and Paid Inspections

The county's STFU page describes a special transitory food unit as a food service operation serving a limited menu from an enclosed trailer or other approved layout, and states that 'Once licensed, an STFU can operate throughout the State of Michigan.' The STFU license listed in the Washtenaw County fee schedule is $130 local + $44 state = $174, or $135 for a non-profit, with a $554 plan review. The figure is from the Washtenaw County Health Department's 2026 Environmental Health Fee Schedule, the county fee schedule linked from the Environmental Health Division's Applications, Forms & Fees page, which states that its fees are effective January 1, 2026. The STFU page states: 'Once licensed, an STFU must have two paid inspections each year ... In Washtenaw County, these inspections must be at least 30 days apart ... Each local health department charges $90 for the inspection', and the fee schedule lists the STFU inspection at $90. An STFU operating in Washtenaw County submits its STFU Notice of Intent to Operate, and requests a paid inspection, through the county's online form linked from that page.

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 Washtenaw County

• Temporary Food Service Establishment License — Washtenaw County Health Department, Environmental Health Division, Per booth/location: $167 for-profit ($158 local + $9 state), $163 non-profit; $207 / $203 if the application is received 3 or fewer business days before the event (includes a $40 late fee); $325 / $321 if received the day of the event (double local fee) (2026 Temporary Food Service Establishment Licensing Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026)., per event. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the restaurants 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.