Catering Business Permit Requirements in Detroit, MI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Local Health Department Food Service License for Catering

   MDARD's Food Establishment License page states: 'If you primarily serve food that can be immediately consumed (such as a food truck or restaurant), you need a food service license instead. Contact your Local Health Department, not MDARD.' Catering serves food for immediate consumption, so it is licensed as a Food Service establishment by your county/city local health department — for Detroit, the Detroit Health Department; elsewhere in Wayne County, the Wayne County health department. Food Service license fees are set by each local health department. A separate MDARD Food Establishment license applies only if you also run a retail/wholesale food operation (e.g. selling packaged goods).

   Official government source

   Set by the licensing local health department — MDARD does not publish these fees; confirm the current amount with your local health department (needs_review)·Varies by local health department; MDARD advises submitting food establishment applications at least 30 days before opening, and local health departments apply their own lead times — confirm directly (needs_review)

   Set by the licensing local health department — MDARD does not publish these fees; confirm the current amount with your local health department (needs_review)

   Varies by local health department; MDARD advises submitting food establishment applications at least 30 days before opening, and local health departments apply their own lead times — confirm directly (needs_review)

2. MI Sales Tax License

   Required by the Michigan Department of Treasury. Catering services in Michigan are generally subject to sales tax when food and service are bundled. Operators must register and collect and remit Michigan sales tax.

   Official government source

   Free·1-2 weeks

   Free

   1-2 weeks

3. Certified Food Safety Manager

   Michigan's Food Law (MCL 289.2129) requires a food service establishment to employ at least one managerial employee as a food safety manager who is currently certified under a personnel certification program accredited by the American National Standards Institute using Conference for Food Protection standards — ServSafe and other ANAB/ANSI-accredited certifications qualify. Certification is recognized with full faith and credit by the state and every local unit of government. For catering, which serves food for immediate consumption, licensing and enforcement of this requirement sit with your county or city local health department under a Food Service license, not MDARD. All food handlers should also complete basic food handler training.

   Official government source

   Set by the private ANSI-accredited certification provider (e.g. ServSafe), not by the State of Michigan — no state fee applies; confirm the current course and exam price with your chosen provider (needs_review)·Varies by provider and exam scheduling; no state processing time applies because the certification is issued by the accredited provider, not by Michigan (needs_review)

   Set by the private ANSI-accredited certification provider (e.g. ServSafe), not by the State of Michigan — no state fee applies; confirm the current course and exam price with your chosen provider (needs_review)

   Varies by provider and exam scheduling; no state processing time applies because the certification is issued by the accredited provider, not by Michigan (needs_review)

1. Detroit Health Department Food Service License (catering)

   Catering food-service licensing is handled by the local health department where the kitchen operates: within Detroit city limits by the Detroit Health Department's Food Safety Unit; in Wayne County outside Detroit by the county's environmental health program. The Detroit Health Department states plainly: 'There is no specific catering license. A catering business is licensed as a Food Service Restaurant and must meet all of the requirements for a restaurant.' Licensing includes a commissary/commercial kitchen inspection and review of food safety procedures, and a Certified Food Manager certificate and allergen training certificate are required. Licenses are non-transferable — a new license is required on any change of ownership.

   Official government source

   City of Detroit Food Service License Fee Schedule effective 1/1/2026: fixed establishment 0-50 seats (catering and carry-out) $498.00, 51-100 seats $553.00, 101+ seats $663.00, banquet hall with kitchen/commissary/base kitchen $580.00 — each including the $30.00 State of Michigan fee. Mobile Food Package (Industrial Caterer) $278.00. A $175 site evaluation fee applies to a new owner or new establishment. Plan review for new construction or remodeling is separate: $1,100 for 0-50 seats, $1,265 for 51-100, $1,705 for 101-150/banquet halls/commissaries, $633 for equipment addition or remodel. Fees outside Detroit are set by the Wayne County health department.·Michigan Food Law sec. 4103(1) requires the application at least 30 calendar days before the planned opening, change of ownership, or expiration of the current license. Detroit food service licenses expire every year on April 30 and must be renewed annually; licensed establishments are inspected roughly every 6 months.

   City of Detroit Food Service License Fee Schedule effective 1/1/2026: fixed establishment 0-50 seats (catering and carry-out) $498.00, 51-100 seats $553.00, 101+ seats $663.00, banquet hall with kitchen/commissary/base kitchen $580.00 — each including the $30.00 State of Michigan fee. Mobile Food Package (Industrial Caterer) $278.00. A $175 site evaluation fee applies to a new owner or new establishment. Plan review for new construction or remodeling is separate: $1,100 for 0-50 seats, $1,265 for 51-100, $1,705 for 101-150/banquet halls/commissaries, $633 for equipment addition or remodel. Fees outside Detroit are set by the Wayne County health department.

   Michigan Food Law sec. 4103(1) requires the application at least 30 calendar days before the planned opening, change of ownership, or expiration of the current license. Detroit food service licenses expire every year on April 30 and must be renewed annually; licensed establishments are inspected roughly every 6 months.

2. City of Detroit Business License (not required for catering)

   Detroit does not require a general business license for commercial activity — BSEED states 'Not all businesses need a license' and its published category list (nightclub/cabaret, vendor, lodging, theater/hall/stadium, amusement, consumer services, concert cafe, gas station, motor truck, vehicles for hire, parking lots, valet, cigarette retail, pet shop, second-hand sales, sexually oriented, special event) has no caterer or catering-business category. The applicable requirement for a caterer is the Food Service license from the health department that covers the kitchen's location (Detroit Health Department inside city limits), not a BSEED business license. The only catering-adjacent line in BSEED's fee schedule is 'Industrial Caterer Plate,' which covers industrial catering vehicles rather than event catering.

   Official government source

   $0 — no BSEED business license category covers catering (BSEED Fee Schedule eff. 1/1/2024, mod. 7/18/2025; the separate Industrial Caterer Plate is $215, duplicate plate $50, and applies only to industrial catering vehicles)·N/A for a Detroit business license; see the health department food service license requirement for its own lead time

   $0 — no BSEED business license category covers catering (BSEED Fee Schedule eff. 1/1/2024, mod. 7/18/2025; the separate Industrial Caterer Plate is $215, duplicate plate $50, and applies only to industrial catering vehicles)

   N/A for a Detroit business license; see the health department food service license requirement for its own lead time

3. Commissary Kitchen Arrangement

   Michigan's food safety rules generally require caterers to prepare food in a licensed commercial kitchen, with a written commissary agreement typically required as part of licensing. The health department that licenses the commissary depends on its location (Detroit Health Department inside city limits; Wayne County Health Department outside). Confirm current requirements with the relevant health department.

   Official government source

   fees vary by commissary; confirm current market rate·varies

   fees vary by commissary; confirm current market rate

   varies

Official Sources

• MI MDARD - Food Establishment Licenses
• Detroit BSEED
• MI Department of Treasury

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