Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department (BLDHD) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Leelanau County food-facility health permits run about $370–$700 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $230–$900. Confirm the exact amount with Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department (BLDHD) 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 Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department (BLDHD) issues the health permit.
About 71 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 23,019. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
Annual Food License
$370 (0-50 seats)
$535 (51-100 seats)
$700 (101+ seats)
By seating; Limited Service/Menu $300; Tax Exempt/Non-Profit/Educational/Government $235; Convention & Conference Center $1,335. Includes $30 state fee ($5 for non-profit)
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Leelanau County’s permit cost compares
At about $370/year, Leelanau County’s restaurant health permit is below the Michigan median ($372) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 97% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 31st-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 71 food & drinking establishments serve ~23,019 residents in Leelanau County — one per ~324 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 ~$370 annual health permit + $230 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 Leelanau 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 Leelanau 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 Leelanau County?
$370 (0-50 seats); $535 (51-100 seats); $700 (101+ seats) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Leelanau County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $900 (Extensive or New Construction/Full); $410 (Limited Remodel/Limited Food License); $230 (Limited remodel/bar additions/food truck)
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Leelanau County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Includes state fees ($30 mobile, $44 STFU)
Who issues food permits in Leelanau County?
Food permits here are issued by Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department (BLDHD). 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