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Business Licensing and Permitting
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Read this first.
As you plan to open your business, staff from across city government will work together to make sure your business is safe, secure, and meets a series of legal requirements we all have to follow. You can expect that you'll:
- begin gathering a number of documents before applying online. This could take a few days.
- use an external site called Accela/eLAPs to apply for things like licenses and permits and return to it to check for approvals.
What’s the Process Like?
This page is a short summary of what you’ll do to get a license for your business.
Establish your business
Before applying for a license, you'll need to complete a few steps like:
- officially registering your business with the state and applying for tax IDs
- checking zoning requirements
This step involves working with local, state, and federal governments to get all the documents you’ll need for the rest of the process. Some actions may require filling out and mailing paper forms.
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See if you need a license and gather your documents
Not all businesses need a license. In this step you'll:
- Review the city's categories of businesses to find yours
- Gather the necessary documents required for your license.
What type of business are you starting?
Nightclub - Cabaret
Opening a marijuana business? Visit the city's Office of Cannabis Affairs for specific instructions.
Nightclub - Cabaret sections
There are 3 types of Cabarets:
- Cabaret A: open to the public, has 3 or more live entertainers at a time, and allows dancing (like on a dance floor).
- Cabaret B: a private club.
- Cabaret C: open to the public, has up to 2 entertainers, but does not allow dancing.
- Building permit
- State of Michigan Liquor License Activity Document ID
- Proof of ownership
- Articles of incorporation
- Cabaret A: $268
- Cabaret B: $99
- Cabaret C: $161
You’ll have to renew this license every April 30th.
Vendor
Vendor sections
There are 4 types of vendors:
- Foot vendor: sells goods they carry with them while walking
- Itinerant vendor: temporary selling of goods for 120 days or less
- Stationary vendor: selling goods from a stand or pushcart
- Street vendor: selling goods from a vehicle
None, unless the vendor is serving food.
Stationary vendors can apply here.
All other can visit the Detroit Health Department
- ID
- Passport-sized photo
- Bond/Insurance (Itinerant vendor only)
- Approved location (Stationary vendor only)
Foot Vendor
- Vendor-Foot Button: $123.00/vendor
- Vendor-Foot Button Veteran: $0.00/vendor (fee waived)
Itinerant Vendor
- Vendor-Temporary Itinerant Location: $178.00/day
Stationary Vendor
- Vendor - Stationary Edible: $123.00/plate
- Vendor - Stationary Non-Edible: $123.00/plate
- Vendor - Stationary Veteran: $0.00/vendor (fee waived)
- Vendor - Stationary Helper: $25.00/helper
Street Vendor
- Vendor - Street Non-Edible: $178.00/plate
- Vendor - Street Edible: $178.00/plate
- Vendor - Street Veteran: $0.00/vendor (fee waived)
- Vendor - Street Helper: $25.00/helper
Bond / Insurance
- Submit application online here.
All vendors will have to renew their licenses every year on May 31st.
Lodging
Lodging sections
There are 5 types of lodging:
- Hotel: lodging that doesn't sell alcohol
- Hotel Class B: lodging that does sell alcohol
- Public lodging: lodging that houses 5 or more guests in the same room
- Rooming house: lodging that the owner lives in; between 2-10 rooms
- Shelter: residential facility for victims of domestic violence
All types of lodging require the following clearances:
- Building permit ID
- Proof of ownership
- Articles of incorporation
Hotel Class B licenses only require a State of Michigan Liquor License Activity Document
Hotel
- Hotel 1-50 Rooms: $345.00
- Hotel 51-100 Rooms: $389.00
- Hotel 101-200 Rooms: $518.00
- Hotel 201-300 Rooms: $690.00
- Hotel 301-500 Rooms: $863.00
- Hotel 501 Rooms and Up: $1,035.00
Hotel Class B
- Hotel 1-50 Rooms: $345.00
- Hotel 51-100 Rooms: $389.00
- Hotel 101-200 Rooms: $518.00
- Hotel 201-300 Rooms: $690.00
- Hotel 301-500 Rooms: $863.00
- Hotel 501 Rooms and Up: $1,035.00
Public Lodging
- Public Lodging House: $223.00
Rooming House (11 Rooms or More)
- Rooming House 11 Rooms and Over: $223.00
Shelter
- Shelter 1-50 Rooms: $230.00
- Shelter 51-100 Rooms: $259.00
- Shelter 101-200 Rooms: $345.00
- Shelter 201-300 Rooms: $460.00
- Shelter 301-500 Rooms: $575.00
- Shelter 501 Rooms and Up: $690.00
Bond / Insurance Submit application online here.
Theater, Hall, Stadium, Arena
Theater, Hall, Stadium, Arena sections
There are 7 types of these venues:
- Concert
- Rental Hall
- Public Dance Hall 2 AM
- Public Dance Hall 4 AM
- Sport Stadium
- Theatre
- Stage Show
All types of lodging require the following clearances:
- Building permit ID
- Proof of ownership
- Articles of incorporation
Concert
- Concert Hall: $400.00
- Concert /Play/Opera /Comedy: $178.00
- Hall Rental: $474.00
- Restaurant - Minimum in Hall: $100.00
Public Dance 2AM
- Hall Public Dancing 2AM Closing: $561.00
Public Dance 4AM
- Hall Public Dancing 4AM Closing: $605.00
Sports Stadium
- Sports Stadium: $984.00/
- Motion Picture 1-500 Seats: $223.00
- Motion Picture 501 - 1000 Seats: $268.00
- Motion Picture 1001 - 2000 Seats: $312.00
- Motion Picture 2000 Seats and Up: $389.00
Stage Show
- Theatre - Stage Show: $605.00
Bond / Insurance
Submit application online here.
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Create a detailed to-do list
The City of Detroit has an optional online tool designed to help you identify everything you need to start your business.
This tool:
- Finds your business type, according to the City of Detroit
- Checks your zoning requirements, and if the business is allowed there
- Outlines possible permits and their costs
- Outlines the specific license types and their costs
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Apply for your permits and license
You'll use an external site (Accela/eLAPS) to apply or renew.
Plan to return to this site to all apply for all licenses, inspections, and permits.
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Schedule and complete inspections
Once you identify your business type, you’ll work with the city to:
- inspect any construction you’ve done
- complete a health review
For details on completing inspections, see Step 4 of our Open for Business Guide.
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Get ready to open
Before opening, you'll complete a few final steps like:
- Getting final certificates of occupancy and compliance
- Setting a personal reminder to renew your license