Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
Macomb County Health Department, Environmental Health Services Division · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Macomb County food-facility health permits run about $80–$763 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $131–$815. Confirm the exact amount with Macomb County Health Department, Environmental Health Services Division 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 Macomb County Health Department, Environmental Health Services Division issues the health permit.
About 1,722 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 875,101. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
Fixed Food Service Establishment License
By seating:
0-30 seats $437
31-50 $519
51-100 $560
101-150 $641
150+ $763
schools $267
non-profit $80
veterans call for fee
Fees from Macomb County EH 2026 fee schedule (Jan 1; Dec 31, 2026); At least one full-time Certified Food Manager required before approval to open
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 (or Special Transitory Food Unit / STFU)
Mobile $348 (non-profit/veterans $323)
STFU $155 (non-profit $116
veterans $5)
STFU inspection $90
Food trucks licensed as either Mobile or STFU based on operation; Mobile plan review $342 also applies
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Macomb County’s permit cost compares
At about $80/year, Macomb County’s restaurant health permit is below the Michigan median ($372) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 29% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 17th-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 1,722 food & drinking establishments serve ~875,101 residents in Macomb County — one per ~508 residents, sparser than the Michigan average (one per ~501).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$80 annual health permit + $131 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.
Watch out for
Facilities closed 6+ months must re-clear plan review (extended-vacancy site review)
Hard-copy plan submittals to EH Division, 43525 Elizabeth Rd, Mt; Clemens; temporary licenses $158 (5+ days out) / $292 (4 days or less)
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
temporary/special-event
$158 / $292
Temporary Food Service license: $158 if applied 5+ days before event, $292 if 4 days or less; Non-profit/veterans $154/$288
special transitory food unit (STFU)
$155
Statewide transitory food license; non-profit $116, veterans $5. STFU inspection $90 each; (Standard mobile food unit is $348.)
caterer
—
Not a separate license in MI; caterers operate under a fixed food service establishment license (fee by seating: $437-$763); No distinct line on Macomb 2026 fee schedule
commissary/central kitchen
—
No separate commissary line; licensed as a food service establishment
bakery
—
No separate bakery line; retail bakeries licensed by MDARD, food-service bakeries under establishment license
market/grocery with deli
—
Retail grocery licensed by MDARD, not on county EH food schedule
food processing/wholesale
—
State-regulated by MDARD, not the county
Equipment your Macomb 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.
By seating: 0-30 seats $437; 31-50 $519; 51-100 $560; 101-150 $641; 150+ $763; schools $267; non-profit $80; veterans call for fee These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Macomb County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Full (new construction/conversion) $815; partial (existing establishment) $407; each additional identical plan $131; extended-vacancy/site review $243; mobile food unit $342; STFU $342
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Macomb County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Food trucks licensed as either Mobile or STFU based on operation; Mobile plan review $342 also applies
Who issues food permits in Macomb County?
Food permits here are issued by Macomb County Health Department, Environmental Health Services 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.
Published by Resultex Media Group LLC · Independent & vendor-neutral · Educational only, not legal or engineering advice · Last verified September 2026