Business License Renewal & Expiration Guide

Business License – Cycle Expiration Dates

Below are the expiration dates for business licenses applicable to specific business types:

 

CYCLE 1: Expires 12-31

  • Motor Truck Permits

CYCLE 2: Expires 1-30

  • Parking Lot
  • Valet Parking

CYCLE 5: Expires 5-31

  • Bar/Class C
  • Cabaret A B C
  • Pet Shop (Live pets)
  • Restaurant (Standard/Carry-out/Class C/MLCC)
  • Vendors
  • Arcade
  • Public Dance (2am/4am closing)
  • Sexually Oriented Business/Topless
  • Concert Cafe
  • Rental Hall

CYCLE 7: Expires 6-30

  • Adult Supply Store
  • Bathhouse
  • Billiard Room
  • Hotel/Motel
  • Public Lodging House
  • Rink Skating (indoor/outdoor)
  • Rooming House (11 rooms or more)
  • Sports Stadium
  • Theatre Burlesque/Stage/Motion Pictures (Adult)
  • Amusement Park (5 devices & up)

CYCLE 10: Expires 9-30

  • Marijuana Facility
  • Shelter
  • Cigarette Retail

CYCLE 11: Expires 10-31

  • General Food (Pre-Packaged)
  • Massage Parlor / School
  • Secondhand Store (Jewelry/Clothing/Appliances)
  • Pawnbroker
  • Used Auto Dealer
  • Used Auto Parts
  • Used Auto Dealer/ Parts/Wrecking
  • Motor Vehicle Service
  • Towing Service Yards
  • Scrap Tire Processor and Recycler
  • Scrap Tire Storage
  • Wrecking & Dismantling Yard
  • UAD/UAP/Wrecking & Dismantling
  • Junk Dealer
  • Scrap Iron & Metal Processor
  • Rickshaw/Pedal Cab

Business License – Required Approvals Checklist

Thank you for your interest in operating a business within the City of Detroit. This is a checklist to help you identify the necessary inspections, clearances, approvals required for obtaining your business license. Before attempting to use this checklist, you need to either have an existing or apply for a new business license. If you are applying for a business license the first time you should refer to the “Business License Initial Application Guide.” 

  1. Customers can initiate the renewal process by contacting the Licensing & Permits office via phone a 313-224-3179, by email at [email protected], or in person at C.A.Y.M.C., 2 Woodward Ave, Suite 402. You will be provided an invoice for your business license fee and a link to remit payment. The invoice must be paid to begin the renewal process.            
  2. Licensing & Permits will provide you with a checklist of required approvals based on your business type. Schedule all required inspections and apply for all required clearances.

  3. Keep record of all inspections and clearances. Licensing & Permits will receive and review all clearances and inspections. You will receive a business license from Licensing & Permits once all approvals are secured.


    Sec. 28-1-14. – Issuance of license; payment of assessments, fees, and taxes prerequisite to issuance of license. 
    (a) Subject to any requirements of state law and the provisions of this Code concerning the issuance and renewal of licenses to operate within the City, upon receipt of the requisite departmental approvals and proof of any issuance cover or surety bond that may be required by this Code for the particular businesses, a license shall be issued to the applicant. 
    (b) A license issued under this article shall not be issued to, or renewed for, any applicant owing any assessments, fees, or taxes to the City.

Required Approvals

  • Business License Fire Inspection – Fire Department
  • Certificate of Compliance – Property Maintenance
  • Clearance – Treasury, Clearance Unit
  • Environmental Health – Health Department
  • Food Safety Inspection – Health Department
  • Bond / Insurance
  • Certificate of Occupancy (when permit is finalized) – Construction Inspections

Contact Information

Bond / Insurance

Environmental Health (Detroit Health Department)

Fire 

  • Phone: 313-596-2963
    • Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Phone: 313-596-2954

Food Safety (Detroit Health Department)

  • You do not need to schedule this inspection. The Health Department will visit your location according to their schedule. If you have any questions, you may call Food Safety: 313-876-0135

Police

  • Check with BSEED Licensing & Permits about whether you require a Police Department clearance and, if so, whether you need to visit the Police Department or whether they will conduct an unannounced inspection. Some business types that require Police Department clearance include:
    • Gas stations
    • Pedicabs
    • Valet drivers
    • Parking lot attendants

Property Maintenance

  • Certificate of Compliance
    • Phone: (313) 628-2451
    • Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • CAYMC, 2 Woodward, Suite 412

Treasury

  •  Get your Personal Property Tax ID. You must have this in order to apply for a clearance.
  • Use this link to access the clearance application: http://bit.ly/detroitclearances
    • Please  direct any questions related to completing the application to the following email address: [email protected]
    • Treasury, Clearance Unit, CAYMC, 2 Woodward Avenue