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1. How long will the plan review and approval take?

The length of time plan review will take depends mostly on the completeness of the information you submit. Once the information is submitted, our Senior Sanitarians will go through the menu, equipment and standard operating procedures to ensure that all items are completed and meet current guidelines. A letter of approval or denial (detailing the information needed for approval) will be mailed within 30 days from your original submission. Additional information is required on most submittals, so please plan for this.

2. What happens after I get an approval letter?

The approval letter authorizes you to begin any construction of your unit. If you wish to make changes from the approved plans during the construction process, you must have these changes approved.

As you near the end of the process, contact our office to schedule an appointment for a pre-opening inspection. This is required to ensure that the facility will be operating according to the plans submitted. We do the best we can to meet customer demand, and can usually schedule this inspection within several business days.

Application & Fee

At this time, you will also need to submit a Food Service License Application and pay a Food Service License Fee. Although the paper license may take several weeks to process, you are considered licensed once the application and payment are submitted along with appropriate approvals.

3. When can I open?

Once you have received approval to open on the pre-opening inspection(s) and the license application and fee have been submitted, you can open your facility as long as all other required approvals are in order. Once you are approved to open, you can operate anywhere in the State of Michigan. However, before each time you operate, you must submit an STFU Notice of Intent to Serve form (PDF) to the health department for that jurisdiction, notifying them the dates and location of your operation.

4. Once I am open, will I be inspected again?

After your initial inspection and approval to open, you will have to request, and pay for, two inspections each license year. These inspections can be completed by any health department in Michigan. You can request the inspections on the STFU Notice of Intent to Serve form (PDF) and submit the form and inspection fee to the local health department in the jurisdiction you will be operating.

5. How do I renew my license?

Your food service license expires every April 30. A renewal application will be sent to you in the mail. If you do not receive one by April 1st, please contact our office at 734-222-3800 to avoid late fees. You must have two paid inspections each year to be eligible for license renewal.