Restaurants and food trucks.
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 Oakland County Health Division - Environmental Health (Food Safety) issues the health permit.
About 2,921 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 1,270,426. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Michigan food service establishments are licensed through the local health department, which sets its own fees; Oakland County's specific fixed-establishment license fee is not published on the public page (site blocks automated access); Card payments add a 3.5% transaction fee and e-checks a $2.50 charge (effective 1/1/2025); review fees updated effective 10/1/2025. Contact 248-424-7191
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).
Mobile units and STFUs licensed under Michigan Food Law; STFU licensing is coordinated statewide (MDARD/local); Oakland-specific mobile fee not published on public page
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
A code-compliant kitchen in Oakland County needs more than the health permit — these approvals are handled by separate offices. Confirm current requirements with each.
| Building / plans | City of Pontiac – Building Safety Division (county seat) · 248-758-2800 |
| Fire marshal | City of Pontiac Fire Marshal (fire services via Waterford Regional Fire Dept) |
| Zoning / planning | City of Pontiac – Planning & Zoning Division · 248-758-2824 |
| Sewer / grease | Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner (sewer; grease/pretreatment via local system) |
| Business license | Michigan has no general state/local business license; register with City of Pontiac and State of Michigan (LARA) |
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| temporary/seasonal/special-event | — | Temporary Food Establishment license issued by Oakland County Health Division |
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 Oakland 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 →