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

Food Service Establishment License (fixed, seasonal or non-profit)

A restaurant, coffee shop or food-selling store in Washtenaw County is licensed by the Washtenaw County Health Department's Environmental Health Division; its Food Safety & Food Licensing page states that 'The Environmental Health Division licenses and inspects over 1,200 food service establishments within Washtenaw County.' The license fee is set by total building square footage, and the schedule prints a local fee, a State of Michigan fee and a total: $474 + $30 = $504 for 0-1,000 sq ft, $868 + $30 = $898 for 1,001-3,000 sq ft and $1,303 + $30 = $1,333 for 3,001 sq ft or more. A non-profit pays $274, $387 or $611 (with a $5 state fee), and a seasonal establishment (open less than 9 months a year, charged 60% of the regular local fee) pays $314, $551 or $812. 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 states: 'No late fees are charged until the first Monday in May. On Monday, May 4, 2026, and every Monday after if the food service license renewal is not received, a cumulative fee of $100/week will be charged.' It also lists $436 for a new owner who does not apply for a new license before starting operation (in addition to the license fee), $343 for a change of use, change of owner or catering application, and $170 for each re-inspection. The Food Service Plan Review page states that applicants should apply for the food service license 30 days prior to opening date.

On-Premises Liquor License — Michigan Liquor Control Commission with Local Legislative Body Approval

A restaurant in Washtenaw 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.' Under the same section a full-year license expires on April 30 following the date of issuance, and a renewal needs that approval only if the local legislative body has filed an objection with the commission not less than 30 days before the license expires. Under MCL 436.1501(2) the license is granted by the commission, so this record carries no county fee.

Temporary Food Service Establishment License

A food vendor at a temporary event in Washtenaw County needs a temporary food service establishment license from the Environmental Health Division for each booth or location. Under the county's 2026 Temporary Food Service Establishment Licensing Fee Schedule (effective January 1, 2026), the fee is $167 for a for-profit booth and $163 for a non-profit booth; an application received 3 or fewer business days before the event costs $207 or $203 (including a $40 late fee), and one received the day of the event costs $325 or $321 (double the local fee). The 2026 Environmental Health Fee Schedule lists the same amounts and shows the for-profit fee as $158 local plus $9 state. The temporary schedule states that applications must be received by the Environmental Health Division office on time to avoid late fees, and that postmarks are not considered.

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 Washtenaw County

• Food Service Plan Review (new or remodeled establishments, mobiles and STFUs) — Washtenaw County Health Department, Environmental Health Division, By total building square footage: 0-1,000 sq ft $554; 1,001-3,000 sq ft $988; 3,001+ sq ft $1,467; mobiles and STFUs $554. Minor alteration of a currently licensed establishment by the current owner: 50% ($277 / $494 / $734; mobiles and STFUs $277). Work begun before plan approval: 2x the plan review fee; resubmitted or modified plans after approval: 50%; each site inspection beyond two: $170 (2026 Environmental Health Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026)., one-time, per new or remodeled establishment; two pre-opening inspections are included. Also required for coffee shops, food trucks and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the food trucks 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.