Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
Washtenaw County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (serves Ann Arbor) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Washtenaw County food-facility health permits run about $30–$1,333 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $277–$1,467. Confirm the exact amount with Washtenaw County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (serves Ann Arbor) 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 Washtenaw County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (serves Ann Arbor) issues the health permit.
About 780 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 365,536. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
Food Service Establishment License
By total building sq ft (local + $30 state): 0-1,000 sq ft $504
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 (and Special Transitory Food Unit / STFU)
Mobile food unit license charged min sq-ft fee $504 (non-profit $274)
STFU license $174 (non-profit $135)
STFU inspection $90
food peddler inspection (ice cream trucks) $50
mobile plan review = min $554
Mobile plan review application, commissary verification form, and Certified Food Safety Manager certificate required
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Washtenaw County’s permit cost compares
At about $30/year, Washtenaw 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 16th-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 780 food & drinking establishments serve ~365,536 residents in Washtenaw County — one per ~469 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 ~$30 annual health permit + $277 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
License renewal late fee is cumulative $100/week starting the first Monday in May
Separate mobile-cart and temporary food establishment license tracks; EH office at 705 N Zeeb Rd, Ann Arbor (734-222-3800)
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
caterer
application $343 + establishment license
Catering licensed as a food service establishment (license fee by total building sq ft); dedicated catering page; 'Change of use/change of owner/catering application fee' $343
commissary/central kitchen
—
Listed as a food-service category in fee-schedule footnote; licensed as a food service establishment (sq-ft-based fee); no distinct dollar line
temporary/special-event
$167/booth
Temporary food service $158 local + $9 state per booth (non-profit $163); $40 late fee if <=3 days before ($207); double local fee if day-of ($325)
special transitory food unit (STFU)
$174
$130 local + $44 state (non-profit $135); STFU inspection $90
seasonal food service establishment
60% of sq-ft license fee
Seasonal (<9 months/year) establishments charged 60% of the standard building-sq-ft license fee
No separate bakery line; licensed as food service establishment by sq ft
food processing/wholesale
—
State-regulated by MDARD, not the county
Equipment your Washtenaw 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 total building sq ft (local + $30 state): 0-1,000 sq ft $504; 1,001-3,000 $898; 3,001+ $1,333. Non-profit: $274 / $387 / $611. Seasonal (<9 mo) charged 60%: $314 / $551 / $812 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Washtenaw County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: By total building sq ft: 0-1,000 $554; 1,001-3,000 $988; 3,001+ $1,467; mobiles/STFUs = min $554. Minor alteration of currently-licensed by current owner = 50% ($277/$494/$734); Construction begun before approval = 2x fee
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Washtenaw County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile plan review application, commissary verification form, and Certified Food Safety Manager certificate required
Who issues food permits in Washtenaw County?
Food permits here are issued by Washtenaw County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (serves Ann Arbor). 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