Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Tuscola County food-facility health permits run about $631 annually. Plan review runs about $459. Confirm the exact amount with Tuscola County Health Department 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 Tuscola County Health Department issues the health permit.
About 62 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 52,826. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 License (Fixed)
$631
For-profit new fixed license $631 total ($601 + $30 state); renewal (fixed) $550 total ($520 + $30); Non-profit new $606. Fee schedule effective 10/1/2025
How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile / Special Transitory Food Unit (STFU)
$335
Mobile $335 total ($305 + $30 state); STFU $156 total ($112 + $44 state) plus $90 inspection fee
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 Tuscola County’s permit cost compares
At about $631/year, Tuscola County’s restaurant health permit is above the Michigan median ($372) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 99% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 59th-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 62 food & drinking establishments serve ~52,826 residents in Tuscola County — one per ~852 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 ~$631 annual health permit + $459 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 Tuscola 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 Tuscola 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 Tuscola County?
$631 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Tuscola County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $459
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Tuscola County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile $335 total ($305 + $30 state); STFU $156 total ($112 + $44 state) plus $90 inspection fee
Who issues food permits in Tuscola County?
Food permits here are issued by Tuscola County Health Department. 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