Food Service Establishment License & Plan Review — Detroit Health Department

What it is. The food service establishment license required to operate a restaurant, under the Michigan Food Law (PA 92). The Detroit Health Department is the delegated local health authority; plan review must be submitted and approved before construction begins.

Who issues it. Detroit Health Department — Food Safety (City layer, delegated under the Michigan Food Law).

When you need it. Submit plans before construction/remodel (construction may not begin until approval is granted); hold the license before opening.

How to apply. Submit plan review (the Department has up to 30 business days to respond under PA 92); pass the pre-opening inspection (two pre-opening inspections are included in the plan-review fee) verifying the facility matches approved plans and conforms to the Michigan Food Law and Modified Food Code.

Fees. Per the Detroit Health Department fee schedule (plan-review fee includes two pre-opening inspections) — see source (⟢ VERIFY).

Renewal. Annual.

What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.

References

• City of Detroit — Food Safety Licensing — https://detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-health-department/programs-and-services/food-safety/licensing — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
• City of Detroit — Food Safety Plan Review — https://detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-health-department/programs-and-services/food-safety/food-safety-plan-review — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02