foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Muskegon County, MI — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Public Health - Muskegon County · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Fixed Food Service License
For-profit $605.00 total ($575.00 PHMC + $30.00 state); Non-profit $148.75 total ($143.75 + $5.00 state) (fee schedule as of Jan 1, 2026)

Applies to Michigan restaurants/food service. Grocery/retail food markets are licensed by MDARD (state), not the county. Fee includes two routine evaluations plus one follow-up.

Plan review — required

$500.00 (Food Service Plan Review); a separate Partial Plan Review fee applies for pre-2000 facilities / adding equipment / STFU plan review

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Service License
For-profit $530.00 total ($500.00 PHMC + $30.00 state); Non-profit $130.00 total ($125.00 + $5.00 state)

Statewide Transitory Food Unit (TFU) fees are state-set: $155.00 license + $90.00 inspection (for-profit). Mobiles must return to a licensed commissary every 24 hours.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • For-profit vs. non-profit fees differ sharply (non-profit ~25% of for-profit).
  • Limited Food License (serves only non-TCS food): $230.00 for-profit / $55.00 non-profit.
  • Seasonal Food License (<=9 continuous months): $317.50 for-profit / $76.88 non-profit.
  • Vending machine licensing moved to MDARD.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Bar / limited food serviceLimited Food License (serves only non-TCS food): $230.00 for-profit / $55.00 non-profitFor fixed establishments serving only non-potentially-hazardous food.
Temporary / seasonal eventTemporary Food Service License (<=14 days): $159.00 for-profit / $42.50 non-profit; Seasonal Food License (<=9 months): $317.50 for-profit / $76.88 non-profitStatewide Transitory Food Unit (state-set): $155.00 license + $90.00 inspection.
Grocery / market with delinull - grocery/retail food markets are licensed by MDARD (Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development), not Public Health - Muskegon CountyCounty health dept licenses restaurants/food service only.
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: co.muskegon.mi.us · co.muskegon.mi.us · co.muskegon.mi.us · observed 2026-08-10