Restaurants and food trucks.
Genesee County food-facility health permits run about $360–$880 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $500–$620. Confirm the exact amount with Genesee County Health Department - Division of Environmental Health Services, Food Service Sanitation Program 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 Genesee County Health Department - Division of Environmental Health Services, Food Service Sanitation Program issues the health permit.
About 679 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 401,522. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Locally administered by the Genesee County Health Department (Flint) under contract with the State of Michigan (MDARD/MDHHS); Food service (restaurant) licenses are issued by the county; RETAIL FOOD (grocery/markets) and wholesale food processing are licensed by the Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), not the county; Local license fees include the State of Michigan license fee and education surcharges; GCHD portion of the license fee for new operations is reduced 50% after November 1 each year
Genesee County (Flint) Health Dept inspects under the Michigan Food Law/FDA Food Code; no letter grade, reports posted online.
Michigan distinguishes Mobile Food Establishments from Special Transitory Food Units (STFU/TFU); Fees include the State of Michigan license fee/surcharges; A commissary/servicing base is required; TFU plan review $620, Mobile plan review $500
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | $720 (Catering falls in the 'Full service without alcohol / Fast food / Take-out pizza / Catering / Ethnic menu w/o alcohol' fixed category) | Catering is explicitly named in the $720 fixed food service category on the 2/4/2026 schedule |
| Bakery / food processing | $540 (retail Donut, Bagel, Smoothie, Tea or Coffee shop; fixed category); Wholesale food processing/manufacturing is licensed by the Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), not the county | Retail bakery/serving operations are a $540 fixed category; wholesale = MDARD state jurisdiction |
| Bar / limited food service | $540 ('Bar only' fixed category); $720 ('Bar with small food menu' fixed category) | A bar with no/limited food is $540; adding a small food menu moves it to the $720 category |
| Grocery / market with deli | grocery/retail food markets are licensed by the Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), not Genesee County Health Department; An in-store deli/food-prep area may require a county food service license; confirm with EH (810-257-3603) | Retail food (grocery) = MDARD jurisdiction in Michigan |
| Temporary / seasonal event | $140 (Temporary Food Service, up to 14 days same location); $100 (non-profit / tax-exempt with 501(c)(3)); +$80 late if applied <5 days before event; $160 for operating without a license | Temporary licenses are flat-fee; non-profits with proof of 501(c)(3) pay the reduced rate |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | $300 (Mobile Food Service, annual); $300 (Transitory Food Unit); $120 (Non-Profit TFU with 501(c)(3)); Plus $90 per inspection (two per year); Plan review: Mobile $500, TFU $620 | Michigan splits Mobile Food Establishments from Special Transitory Food Units; a commissary is required |
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.
Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Genesee County with its neighbors.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Official plan-check requirements: plan-check guide →