Local permits & fees

Livingston County, MI — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Livingston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division. In Michigan, restaurant (food service establishment) licenses are issued through the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) but administered locally by the county EH division, which conducts plan review and collects a county license fee PLUS a $30 state fee. Grocery/retail food markets are licensed by MDARD, not the county. · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Fixed Food Service Establishment License

County license fee by seating capacity PLUS $30 state fee: 0-25 seats $650+$30; 26-50 seats $780+$30; 51-75 seats $910+$30; 76+ seats $1,040+$30. School full-service $650+$30; school satellite $520+$30.

Applications are processed through MDARD; the county sets the local license fee and adds the $30 state fee. Operating without a license carries a $520 penalty. Low-risk consultation (limited food) $130+$9.

Plan review — required

Fixed - new/major remodel: $1,300 (0-100 seating) or $1,560 (101+ seating); change of ownership $260. Mobile & TFU - new $780; change of ownership $390. HACCP review $1,040; variance request $520.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment License (STFU / Mobile)

Mobile Establishment $260 + $30 state fee; Special Transitory Food Unit (STFU/TFU) license $260 + $44 state fee. Mobile plan review $780 (new) / $390 (change of ownership).

Food trucks operating in Livingston County file an 'Intent to Operate in Livingston County' form. TFU inspection $90; TFU late fee $65.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

Livingston County EH: 2300 E Grand River Ave, Suite 102, Howell, MI 48843; (517) 546-9858; [email protected].
All food service license fees are stated as 'county fee + $30 state fee'.
Temporary food: $260+$9 (applied 5+ days before event) or $390+$9 (less than 5 days before).
Mobile Commissary license $260+$30.
Retail grocery/markets are licensed by MDARD (state), not the county.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Commissary / central preparation kitchen	$260 + $30 state fee	Mobile Commissary license.
Grocery / market with deli	null - retail grocery/markets are licensed by MDARD (state), not Livingston County; see MDARD license type guide.	County EH handles restaurants/food service; MDARD handles retail grocery.
Temporary / seasonal event	$260 + $9 (applied 5+ days before event); $390 + $9 (less than 5 days before)	Temporary food establishment license (county fee + state fee). TFU inspection $90; TFU late fee $65.
Pushcart / mobile vending	$260 + $30 state fee (Mobile Establishment); STFU/TFU license $260 + $44 state fee	Mobile plan review $780 new / $390 change of ownership. 'Intent to Operate in Livingston County' form required.

Michigan statewide rules

Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.

What equipment you need

Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.

Permits & plan review, explained

The stack of approvals before you open.

Sources: milivcounty.gov · milivcounty.gov · www.michigan.gov · observed 2026-08-07