Grand Traverse County, MI Food Facility Permits & Fees
Restaurants and food trucks.
Grand Traverse County Health Department (Environmental Health) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Grand Traverse County food-facility health permits run about $450–$650 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $150–$600. Confirm the exact amount with Grand Traverse County Health Department (Environmental Health) 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 Grand Traverse County Health Department (Environmental Health) issues the health permit.
About 248 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 96,421. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Last verified: 2026-08-18 — 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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 (Full Kitchen)
Full Kitchen 0-50 seats $450
51-100 $525
101-150 $600
151+ $650
Priced by seat count; 2025 Food Service Fee Schedule; Schools/Churches $300; Bar only $300; Limited/Seasonal $350
How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Unit / STFU
Mobile Unit with Food Prep $450
Mobile Unit Packaged Food $180
STFU $155 (501C-3 $116)
STFU fees set by Michigan Dept of Agriculture; STFU inspections $90 each; Temporary (PHF) $120 / non-PHF $80
How to apply
See the department site above.
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Grand Traverse County’s permit cost compares
At about $450/year, Grand Traverse County’s restaurant health permit is above the Michigan median ($372) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 98% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 43rd-lowest of 63 Michigan counties by permit cost.
Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.
Local food-service market
About 248 food & drinking establishments serve ~96,421 residents in Grand Traverse County — one per ~389 residents, denser than the Michigan average (one per ~501).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$450 annual health permit + $150 plan review.
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
Equipment your Grand Traverse 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.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Confirm whether Grand Traverse 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a food permit in Grand Traverse County?
Full Kitchen 0-50 seats $450; 51-100 $525; 101-150 $600; 151+ $650 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Grand Traverse County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Full $600; Partial and STFU $225; Plan amendment/SOP review $150
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Grand Traverse County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. STFU fees set by Michigan Dept of Agriculture; STFU inspections $90 each; Temporary (PHF) $120 / non-PHF $80
Who issues food permits in Grand Traverse County?
Food permits here are issued by Grand Traverse County Health Department (Environmental Health). 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.
Published by Resultex Media Group LLC · Independent & vendor-neutral · Educational only, not legal or engineering advice · Last verified September 2026