Permits
Coffee and cart permits in Michigan
To sell coffee in Michigan, you work with your county health department for food and mobile vending permits, then add a business license and state tax registration. Pick your county below for the department that handles your area and the steps to open.
83 counties, 4 with a direct health department link on file so far.
Statewide rules in Michigan
In Michigan, retail food and mobile food unit licenses are issued by the Dept. of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) or a licensed local health department operating under MDARD authority.
- Food & vending permits
- MDARD, food establishment license applications (restaurants, mobile and transitory food units)
- Food safety cards
- At least one certified food protection manager as the person in charge under Michigan Food Law; no separate statewide food handler card.
Official links, last verified July 14, 2026. Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees before you apply.
Counties in Michigan
- Kent CountyDept link
- Macomb CountyDept link
- Oakland CountyDept link
- Wayne CountyDept link
- Alcona County
- Alger County
- Allegan County
- Alpena County
- Antrim County
- Arenac County
- Baraga County
- Barry County
- Bay County
- Benzie County
- Berrien County
- Branch County
- Calhoun County
- Cass County
- Charlevoix County
- Cheboygan County
- Chippewa County
- Clare County
- Clinton County
- Crawford County
- Delta County
- Dickinson County
- Eaton County
- Emmet County
- Genesee County
- Gladwin County
- Gogebic County
- Grand Traverse County
- Gratiot County
- Hillsdale County
- Houghton County
- Huron County
- Ingham County
- Ionia County
- Iosco County
- Iron County
- Isabella County
- Jackson County
- Kalamazoo County
- Kalkaska County
- Keweenaw County
- Lake County
- Lapeer County
- Leelanau County
- Lenawee County
- Livingston County
- Luce County
- Mackinac County
- Manistee County
- Marquette County
- Mason County
- Mecosta County
- Menominee County
- Midland County
- Missaukee County
- Monroe County
- Montcalm County
- Montmorency County
- Muskegon County
- Newaygo County
- Oceana County
- Ogemaw County
- Ontonagon County
- Osceola County
- Oscoda County
- Otsego County
- Ottawa County
- Presque Isle County
- Roscommon County
- Saginaw County
- Sanilac County
- Schoolcraft County
- Shiawassee County
- St. Clair County
- St. Joseph County
- Tuscola County
- Van Buren County
- Washtenaw County
- Wexford County
Not sure of your county?
Enter your ZIP and we will point you to the right county health department and the documents you need.
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