Permits for a Restaurant in Flint, Michigan

A retailer-tier license that permits on-premises manufacturing of up to 18,000 barrels of beer annually and sale for consumption on or off the premises. The brewpub must have a manufacturing operation on the premises and must also hold a food service establishment license. All brands and labels produced in Michigan are combined to determine threshold compliance.

Permits the sale, service, and consumption of beer, wine, mixed spirit drinks, and spirits on the licensed premises. Subject to a quota system based on local population — one license per 1,500 residents in a municipality. If no quota licenses are available, a license must be purchased via private transfer from an existing licensee.

Allows the sale of spirits at retail in the original package for consumption off the premises. Almost always held in conjunction with an SDM license. An additional surcharge of $3 per $1,000 (or major fraction thereof) in excess of $25,000 of total retail spirit purchases from the commission during the prior calendar year is assessed.

Allows the sale of beer and wine at retail for consumption off the premises (carry-out only). Commonly held by grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations, but also applicable to breweries and wineries with retail sales areas.

General business license required for all businesses operating within Flint city limits. Registers the business with the municipality for local tax and regulatory purposes. Must be obtained before commencing operations.

Many Michigan cities and townships require a general business license or operating permit for commercial establishments. Requirements and fees vary significantly by jurisdiction. Not all municipalities require one — check with your local clerk's office. May be combined with or separate from zoning compliance verification.

All businesses operating as LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships, or LLPs must register with the LARA Corporations Division. LLCs file Articles of Organization; corporations file Articles of Incorporation. After formation, LLCs must file an Annual Statement and corporations must file an Annual Report to maintain good standing.

Michigan employers must register with the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) and pay state unemployment insurance (SUI) tax. Registration is included in the Michigan Business Taxes Registration (Form 518) process. New employer tax rate is 2.7% (non-construction). Taxable wage base is $9,500 per employee (2026). Experienced employer rates range from 0.06% to 12.2% (2026) based on claims history.

Michigan requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 3 or more employees at any one time, OR 1 or more employees working 35+ hours/week for 13+ weeks. Michigan is a competitive-state system — coverage must be purchased from private insurance carriers (no state fund). Covers medical expenses and lost wages for work-related injuries/illnesses. The Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Agency (WDCA) enforces compliance.

Required for establishments with an occupant load of 50 or more persons used for assembly purposes (drinking, dining, entertainment). Determines maximum occupancy and requires compliance with assembly-specific fire and building codes including additional exit requirements, seating arrangement standards, and crowd management provisions.

Required before any building can be occupied for commercial use. Verifies that the space is properly zoned, meets building codes, and has passed fire, plumbing, electrical, and building inspections. Required when constructing a new building, changing the use/occupancy classification of an existing building, or performing major renovations. Issued by the local building department or LARA Bureau of Construction Codes.

All bars, restaurants, breweries, and wineries open to the public must pass a fire safety inspection by the local fire marshal or state fire marshal. Inspections verify fire suppression systems, exit routes, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, kitchen hood suppression systems, and compliance with Michigan Fire Prevention Code (Act 207 of 1941). Required before opening and periodically thereafter.

Food service establishments (restaurants, cafeterias, bars serving food, catering kitchens) are licensed by Local Health Departments, not MDARD. Fees are set by each county/district health department and vary by risk category (low/medium/high risk based on food handling complexity). Application must be submitted at least 5 business days before opening.

Michigan Food Law requires every food service establishment to have at least one certified food safety manager on staff. Certification is obtained by passing an ANSI/CFP nationally accredited exam (such as ServSafe Manager Certification Exam) with a score of 75% or higher. Attending a training course is recommended but not legally required — only passing the exam is mandatory.

Required for retail food establishments that serve food for immediate consumption with customer seating, including restaurants, bars with food service, brewpubs, and winery tasting rooms with food. Licensed by MDARD (not local health departments). License year runs May 1 through April 30. New establishments require a mandatory plan review ($197 fee).

Required by most Michigan municipalities before installing, erecting, or modifying any exterior business signage. Local zoning ordinances regulate sign size, type, height, illumination, and placement based on zoning district and lot size. Both a building permit and a sign permit may be required. Digital/electronic signs often have additional restrictions.

Required for installing, replacing, or modifying exterior business signage within Flint. Must comply with the city sign ordinance covering size, height, illumination, and placement. Applications typically require scaled drawings.

Required for any business making retail sales of tangible personal property (food, beverages, merchandise). Michigan's general sales tax rate is 6%. Registration is free and can be completed online via Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) e-Registration or by mailing Form 518. Online registration is authenticated within 10–15 minutes; paper filing takes 4–6 weeks. License can be set to auto-renew.

Michigan imposes a 6% use tax on tangible personal property purchased for use, storage, or consumption in Michigan on which sales tax was not collected (e.g., out-of-state equipment purchases, supplies). Registration is included in the Michigan Business Taxes Registration (Form 518) process alongside sales tax and withholding tax.

All Michigan employers must register to withhold state income tax from employee wages. Registration is completed through the Michigan Business Taxes Registration (Form 518) process — online via MTO e-Registration or by mail. Withholding returns are filed monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on the amount withheld.

Required when a proposed business use is not permitted by-right in the zoning district but may be allowed with specific conditions to mitigate negative impacts. Common triggers for bars/restaurants include alcohol sales in residential-adjacent zones, outdoor entertainment, live music, late-night operating hours, or drive-through service. Requires a public hearing before the local planning commission or zoning board.

Verifies that the proposed business use is permitted in the applicable zoning district under the local zoning ordinance (governed by Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, Act 110 of 2006). Restaurants and bars are generally permitted in commercial or mixed-use zones, but restrictions apply for alcohol sales, outdoor seating, late operating hours, or drive-through service. Required before obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy or MLCC liquor license.