Vendors

 

Customer are strongly encouraged to apply for Business Licenses online through BSEED's Electronic Licensing and Permitting System (eLAPS).

 

Application Guidelines

Refer to the table for the appropriate eLAPS application for your business.

Business License Type Record Type Application Name License Type
Foot Vendor Vendors Foot Vendor Foot Vendor
Itinerant Vendor Vendors Itinerant Vendor Itinerant Loc. Per Week
Mobile Food Vendor Vendors Mobile Food Vendor Edible Plate
Stationary Vendor Vendors Stationary Vendor Stationary Vendor
Street Vendor Vendors Street Vendor NonEdible Items Plate

Required Clearances

Refer to the table below for a breakdown of the Clearances required for your business.

Business License Type  Bond / Insurance   Environmental Health (Detroit Health Department)   Fire   Food Safety (Detroit Health Department)   Police   Property Maintenance  Treasury

Apply Here
Foot Vendor              
Helper Vendor              
Itinerant Vendor              
Mobile Food Vendor X     X     X
Stationary Vendor              
Street Vendor       X (Ice Cream Truck)      

Required Documents

Refer to the table below for a breakdown of the required documents to include in your business license application. All documents must be submitted through eLAPS.

Business
License Type		 Approved
Location		 Health Approval Bond / Insurance Current Identification Passport-Sized
Photo for License
Foot Vendor       X X
Helper Vendor       X X
Itinerant Vendor     X X X
Mobile Food Vendor X X X X X
Stationary Vendor X     X X
Street Vendor       X X

Associated Fees

Business License applications are subject to multiple fees dependent on scope. Fee types and prices are subject to change. Charged annually.  

 

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

Mobile Food Vendor

  • Push Cart: $180.00/plate
  • Push Cart Veteran: $0.00/vendor (fee waived)
  • Push Cart Helper: $25.00/helper

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

 

Clearance Instructions

 

Bond / Insurance

Environmental Health (Detroit Health Department)

Fire

  • Step 1: Call to confirm and pay fee. 
    • Phone: 313-596-2963
    • Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    • Note: You can mail your payment or pay via phone with credit card for an additional 3% charge.
  • Step 2: Call to schedule inspection. 
    • Phone: 313-596-2954
    • Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
    • In Person (note phone is preferred): 1301 Third St. Detroit MI 48226

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
    • Junk collectors

Property Maintenance

  • Call to confirm Certificate of Compliance expiration and schedule inspection if needed. You will be mailed an invoice after the inspection takes place. You will not receive your C of C until all fees owed to BSEED have been paid.
    • Phone: (313) 628-2451
    • Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • In Person: Buildings, Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED)
    • CAYMC, 2 Woodward, Suite 412

Treasury

  • Step 1: Get your Personal Property Tax ID. You must have this in order to apply for a clearance. 
  • Step 2: Use this link to access the clearance application: http://bit.ly/detroitclearances
    • The application includes 2 components:
      • Component 1: Complete application Information
      • Component 2:  Security submit personal information -social security and/or employer identification number (EIN) - to the City of Detroit through DocuSign
    • Both pages are required in order to complete your application. Failure to do so could result in a longer processing time. Please allow 7-10 business days for an update on your clearance. 
    • Please  direct any questions related to completing the application to the following email address: [email protected]
    • In Person: Treasury, Clearance Unit, CAYMC, 2 Woodward Avenue