Starting a food truck in Michigan involves several steps, from applying for licenses and permits to acquiring food truck insurance to shield your finances from the cost of liability claims.
It’s a lengthy process, but we’re here to help with this step-by-step guide with essential tips for navigating the permit process and complying with regulations in the Great Lakes State.
Learn Michigan Food Truck Requirements
There are several necessary steps to take when setting up your business before you can apply for permits and licenses:
- Decide on a business structure: Many food trucks operate as sole proprietorships or limited liability companies (LLCs). The structure you choose affects everything from taxes to the ways you manage your business.
- Apply for an employer identification number (EIN): An EIN is essentially a social security number for your business that you need for tax purposes. Obtain it online through the IRS.
- Register your business name: A strong food truck business name conveys the type of cuisine you sell while remaining catchy and easy to remember.
- Get your Certificate of Insurance (COI): After obtaining liability insurance coverage, you will receive a COI you can show venue managers, festival organizers, and commercial kitchen landlords who require proof of insurance.
- Develop a business plan: You may be required to present a business plan before certain government agencies issue you a license or permit. Think of it as a road map for your business, outlining everything from your mission statement to your funding sources.
Obtain Food Truck Licenses in Michigan
Mobile Food Service License
- A public health permit for any food trucks that return to a commissary for servicing and maintenance at least once per day
- Cost: $192
- Where to get it: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Special Transitory Food Unit (STFU) License
- A public health permit for food trucks that are not required to return to a commissary once per day
- Cost: $159, plus a one-time initial plan review fee of $197 and two $90 inspection fees each licensing year
- Where to get it: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Sales Tax Permit
- Permits you to collect and remit sales tax on all taxable food and beverage products you sell
- Cost: $0
- Where to get it: Michigan Department of Treasury
Food Manager Certification
- Michigan law requires at least one employee in a managerial role to carry a Certified Food Protection Manager (CPFM) certification
- Cost: $65–$121
- Where to get it: Learn2Serve
Food Handler’s Permit
- Often required by local health departments for any food service employees
- Cost: $10 per employee
- Where to get it: Learn2Serve
Understand Michigan Food Truck Laws
In Michigan, food trucks are subject to state and local laws put in place to ensure they operate safely and don’t pose a threat to public health.
Some notable food truck laws in Michigan include:
- Commissary requirement: Most food truck businesses are required to return to a commissary or commercial kitchen once per day. This can be a space you own or rent, but it must be licensed with the state of Michigan.*
- Restricted vending zones: Some cities in Michigan, such as Detroit, have established certain areas where food trucks are allowed to operate. These cities often prohibit any food truck activities on residential streets.
- Health inspections: All Michigan food trucks are subject to regular health inspections, in addition to the initial inspection you must pass to obtain a mobile food unit permit.
- Parking permissions: Cities often require food truck operators to obtain written permission from property owners before parking and selling on their land.
*The only food trucks not required to have a commissary agreement are those registered as Special Transitory Food Units (STFUs). They are subject to more frequent health inspections than food trucks licensed as mobile food units.
Get Food Truck Insurance in Michigan
Did you know some cities, including Grand Rapids, require food trucks to carry food business insurance in Michigan? Even if your city doesn’t have a liability insurance requirement, many festivals, venue managers, and commissary landlords will have one.
Liability insurance helps protect you from paying out of pocket if your food truck operations lead to third-party bodily injuries or property damage. If a gust of wind blows your truck’s awning off and damages a neighboring truck at a festival, liability insurance can help cover the cost of repairs.
Know the Cost of Starting a Food Truck in Michigan
On top of licensing and insurance costs, there are other standard operating costs food truck owners need to factor into their budget. Some of the most significant ones include:
- Food truck
- New: $50,000–$175,000
- Used: $30,000–$70,000
- Cooking equipment
- Grill/griddle: $900–$1,110
- Deep fryer: $1,000–$1,300
- Oven: $1,000–$10,000
- Refrigeration
- Refrigerator/freezer: $1,000–$5,000
- Prep table: $1,500–$5,000
- Safety and sanitation
- Commercial sink: $300–$1,000
- Handwashing sink: $200–$500
- Fire suppression system: $2,000–$5,000
- Technology
- Point of Sale (POS) system: $500–$2,000
- Inventory software: $50–$200 per month
Sell at Food Truck Festivals in Michigan
From Detroit to Crystal Falls, there are plenty of lively food festivals year-round across Michigan. With the right permits and liability insurance, you can get your food truck out in front of hundreds of new customers.
Before applying, learn how to increase your chances of getting your food truck into events!
Be sure to check out these Michigan food truck festivals:
- Detroit Harvest Fest & Food Truck Rally
- Michigan Food Truck & Beer Festival
- May Funtown Chowdown Food Truck Festival
- Saline Food Truck Festival
To stay up-to-date with festivals and other food truck happenings, join a local group like the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association (GRFTA) and connect with other food truck business owners in your area!
FAQs About Food Truck Regulations in Michigan
What Are the Fire Safety Requirements for Food Trucks in Michigan?
Each Michigan county conducts its fire safety inspections differently, but you can expect to do the following to pass your inspection:
- Install an automatic fire suppression system
- Have portable fire extinguishers on hand (Class K for kitchen fires and Class ABC for all other fires)
- Have electrical equipment regularly serviced and checked for hazards like faulty wiring
- Keep your exhaust system free of grease buildup
Are There Specific Zoning Regulations for Michigan Food Trucks?
Yes, Michigan’s zoning regulations for food trucks differ depending on which city you operate in, but they all serve to regulate where and how food trucks can operate.
Typical zoning regulations include restrictions on:
- Operating hours
- Proximity to establishments such as restaurants and sports stadiums
- Parking areas
- Operating on private party (usually requires written permission from the property owner)
- Storing your food truck (some cities, like Dearborn Heights, don’t allow you to store your food truck in a residential area)
Alex Hastings
Seattle-based copywriter and (WA) licensed insurance agent Alex Hastings leverages her experience as a lover of fast-casual food, baked goods, and iced oat milk lattes. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Western Washington University. Before working at Veracity, she was a retail copywriter at Zulily and an English language teacher in South Korea. Alex is fully trained on FLIP insurance coverages and writes content that connects food and beverage business owners with the policies they need.
Seattle-based copywriter and (WA) licensed insurance agent Alex Hastings leverages her experience as a lover of fast-casual food, baked goods, and iced oat milk lattes. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Western Washington University. Before working at Veracity, she was a retail copywriter at Zulily and an English language teacher in South Korea. Alex is fully trained on FLIP insurance coverages and writes content that connects food and beverage business owners with the policies they need.
Kyle Jude
Kyle Jude is the Program Manager for Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP). As a dedicated program manager with 10+ years of experience in the insurance industry, Kyle offers insight into different coverages for food and beverage business professionals who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.
Kyle Jude is the Program Manager for Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP). As a dedicated program manager with 10+ years of experience in the insurance industry, Kyle offers insight into different coverages for food and beverage business professionals who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.
