Food Service Licensing

Are you an inspector for a local health department? Below you will find guidance on licensing of Transitory Food Units (TFUs), Mobile Food Establishments and Temporary Food Establishments which can include, but are not limited to food trucks, food carts and catering trailers.

Are you thinking of opening a food business such as a restaurant, brewery, bar, sandwich shop, retail store, food warehouse, cottage food, baked goods, distiller or other food business, please view our food industry licensing options online.

Temporary Food Establishments
Transitory Food Units
Mobile Food Establishments

Temporary Food Establishment

A temporary food establishment is a food establishment that operates at a fixed location for a temporary period not to exceed 14 consecutive days. Below you will find the temporary food establishment license application and resources that are unique to temporary food establishments.

Download the Temporary Food Service License Application

Temporary Food Establishment resources

People wandering through food tents at a street festival

Transitory Food Unit (TFU)

Previously called Special Transitory Food Unit (STFU)

A Transitory Food Unit is a temporary food establishment licensed to operate throughout the state without the 14-day limits or a mobile food establishment that is not required to return to a commissary. A notification of intent to operate the unit is required at least 4 business days prior to operating. This notification of intent is required to be sent to the jurisdiction where the unit will be operating

Download the Food Service License Application for Fixed, Mobile, TFU

Transitory Food Unit Resources

Notification of Intent to Operate (Microsoft Word); (Fillable PDF)
Plan Review Information: MDARD Plan Review
Michigan Modified Food Code
Manager Certification Courses: ANAB-CFP Accreditation Program

Local Health Department Maps

A restaurant food truck parked on a street open for business

Mobile Food Establishment

A mobile food establishment is a food establishment operating from a vehicle, trailer, or watercraft that returns to a mobile food establishment commissary for servicing and maintenance at least once every 24 hours. The mobile food establishment commissary is an operation that is capable of servicing a mobile food establishment. The commissary license number must be recorded in the appropriate location on the application for it to be processed. A Mobile Commissary Agreement form may be required by the licensing agency.

Download the Food Service License Application for Fixed, Mobile, TFU