Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Muskegon County food-facility health permits run about $30–$605 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $500. Confirm the exact amount with Public Health - Muskegon County 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 Public Health - Muskegon County issues the health permit.
About 304 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 176,564. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 License
For-profit $605.00 total ($575.00 PHMC + $30.00 state)
Non-profit $148.75 total ($143.75 + $5.00 state) (fee schedule as of Jan 1, 2026)
Applies to Michigan restaurants/food service; Grocery/retail food markets are licensed by MDARD (state), not the county; Fee includes two routine evaluations plus one follow-up
Plan review — required
$500.00 (Food Service Plan Review)
a separate Partial Plan Review fee applies for pre-2000 facilities / adding equipment / STFU plan review
Muskegon County Health Dept inspects under the Michigan Food Law/FDA Food Code; no letter grade, reports posted online.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Service License
For-profit $530.00 total ($500.00 PHMC + $30.00 state)
Non-profit $130.00 total ($125.00 + $5.00 state)
Statewide Transitory Food Unit (TFU) fees are state-set: $155.00 license + $90.00 inspection (for-profit); Mobiles must return to a licensed commissary every 24 hours
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Muskegon County’s permit cost compares
At about $30/year, Muskegon County’s restaurant health permit is below the Michigan median ($372) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 4% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 12th-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 304 food & drinking establishments serve ~176,564 residents in Muskegon County — one per ~581 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 ~$30 annual health permit + $500 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
For-profit vs; non-profit fees differ sharply (non-profit ~25% of for-profit)
Statewide Transitory Food Unit (state-set): $155.00 license + $90.00 inspection
Grocery / market with deli
grocery/retail food markets are licensed by MDARD (Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development), not Public Health; Muskegon County
County health dept licenses restaurants/food service only
Equipment your Muskegon 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.
For-profit $605.00 total ($575.00 PHMC + $30.00 state); Non-profit $148.75 total ($143.75 + $5.00 state) (fee schedule as of Jan 1, 2026) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Muskegon County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $500.00 (Food Service Plan Review); a separate Partial Plan Review fee applies for pre-2000 facilities / adding equipment / STFU plan review
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Muskegon County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Statewide Transitory Food Unit (TFU) fees are state-set: $155.00 license + $90.00 inspection (for-profit); Mobiles must return to a licensed commissary every 24 hours
Who issues food permits in Muskegon County?
Food permits here are issued by Public Health - Muskegon County. 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