Local permits & fees

Calhoun County, MI Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD), Environmental Public Health Division · department site →

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

Confirm the authority for your exact address. Some cities run their own health division, and building, planning, fire, sewer/grease and business-license approvals are separate even when Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD), Environmental Public Health Division issues the health permit.

About 226 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 133,366. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)

Last verified: 2026-08-17 — we re-confirmed the serving authority, its contact, and that the fees below match the current published schedule. Fee schedules may carry an earlier effective date (shown per fee); local ordinances & amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date? Report an update →

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Establishment License

Calhoun County sets food service license fees locally (Michigan law delegates fee-setting to local health departments), but no dollar fee schedule is published on the county website
fees are shown only inside the login-gated CCPHD Environmental Public Health Portal (Hedgerow Software)
Contact 269-969-6341

In Michigan, restaurants/food service establishments are licensed by the local health department (CCPHD); grocery stores and retail food markets are licensed by the state MDARD, not the county; CCPHD licenses/inspects ~500 food service establishments

Plan review — required

plan review fee not published publicly
obtained via CCPHD Environmental Public Health Portal or by contacting the department

Plan-review details & forms →

Reach the department

Phone(269) 969-6341

OfficeCalhoun County Public Health Dept, Environmental Public Health, 190 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49014

Websitewww.calhouncountymi.gov →

Plan reviewccphd-portal.hedgerowsoftware.com →

Inspection grading

Routine inspection — no public letter grade

Michigan local health departments inspect under the Michigan Food Law/FDA Food Code (priority/core violations); no letter grade or score. Reports on MDARD's online Food Inspection Postings (MiSafe).

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment License

mobile food unit fee not published publicly
CCPHD licenses mobile units but the fee is available only via the portal or by contacting the department

CCPHD Environmental Public Health licenses mobile food units within Calhoun County

How to apply

Calhoun County fees & payment information →Forms & applications →

Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.

Local food-service market

About 226 food & drinking establishments serve ~133,366 residents in Calhoun County — one per ~590 residents, sparser than the Michigan average (one per ~501).

U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).

Watch out for

Fee schedule is login-gated (Hedgerow portal); not publicly listed online
Grocery / retail food markets licensed by state MDARD, not the county
Online payment portal: https://pay.govpros.us/mi/calhoun/envhealth
Location: 190 E; Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49014; 269-969-6341

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Grocery / market with deli	grocery/retail food markets are licensed by the state MDARD, not Calhoun County; MDARD fees not published on the county site	In Michigan, retail food (grocery) is under MDARD state jurisdiction; the county licenses restaurants/food service only
Temporary / seasonal event	Calhoun County issues temporary/special transitory food unit (STFU) licenses but the fee is available only via the login-gated CCPHD portal, not published online	Contact CCPHD Environmental Public Health, 269-969-6341

Equipment your Calhoun County plan review will check

Health-department plan review looks for specific, code-compliant fixtures. Compare spec-filtered options, then confirm counts and sizes with your local requirements. See the full list in what equipment a commercial kitchen requires.

Compartment sinks

3-bay wash / rinse / sanitize — sized to your menu

Hand sinks

required in prep, cook & warewashing areas

Grease traps / interceptors

sized by drainage fixture units

Reach-in refrigeration

cold-holding at 41°F or below

Work tables & surfaces

NSF-listed, non-absorbent

Hoods & ventilation

over cooking equipment; make-up air

Dishwashers

high-temp or chemical sanitizing

Nearby counties

Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Calhoun County with its neighbors.

Barry County, MI

Restaurant permit: $701

Branch County, MI

Restaurant permit: $465

Eaton County, MI

Restaurant permit: $30

Hillsdale County, MI

Restaurant permit: $465

Jackson County, MI

Restaurant permit: $30

Kalamazoo County, MI

Restaurant permit: $30

St. Joseph County, MI

Restaurant permit: $250

How to open: typical permitting sequence

This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.

Confirm whether Calhoun County or another local jurisdiction (city/district) handles your exact address.
Confirm zoning and permitted use.
Prepare your menu and scaled plans.
Include an equipment schedule with ANSI/NSF spec sheets.
Submit water-heater and hood documentation.
Pay plan-review fees.
Respond to plan-check corrections.
Obtain Environmental Health plan approval.
Obtain building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals.
Schedule rough-plumbing, pre-final and final health inspections.
Pay the operating-permit / application fees.
Receive approval before storing or preparing food.

Official plan-check requirements: plan-check guide →

Frequently asked questions

How much is a food permit in Calhoun County?

Calhoun County sets food service license fees locally (Michigan law delegates fee-setting to local health departments), but no dollar fee schedule is published on the county website; fees are shown only inside the login-gated CCPHD Environmental Public Health Portal (Hedgerow Software); Contact 269-969-6341 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in Calhoun County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: plan review fee not published publicly; obtained via CCPHD Environmental Public Health Portal or by contacting the department

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Calhoun County?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. CCPHD Environmental Public Health licenses mobile food units within Calhoun County

Who issues food permits in Calhoun County?

Food permits here are issued by Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD), Environmental Public Health Division. See the department site for current details.

Are city building and fire approvals separate?

Yes — building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals are always separate from the health permit and are often handled by different offices.

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: www.calhouncountymi.gov · www.calhouncountymi.gov · www.michigan.gov · observed 2026-08-07