Ann Arbor MI Business License Guide 2026

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City business license guide

Last updated: August 21, 2026

Opening a business in Ann Arbor is not one single filing. Most owners need to check several layers: the City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, the State of Michigan, and sometimes the federal government. The right path depends on your address, business activity, legal structure, and whether customers, workers, food, signs, vehicles, or building changes are involved.

Bottom line

The City of Ann Arbor does not publish one all-purpose business license that every business must get before opening. Instead, Ann Arbor uses activity-specific licenses, permits, zoning reviews, building permits, sign permits, fire checks, and certificates when they apply. The City Clerk says its office issues many permits and licenses, and most can be applied for online through the city’s Licenses and Permits page or the city’s STREAM system.

Your first local question is usually not “Where do I buy a business license?” It is “Is this location and activity allowed, and which city, county, state, or federal permits apply?” For a home business, read Ann Arbor’s home occupation standards and ask Planning whether your setup needs a review. For a temporary outdoor sale, qualifying tent, or mobile food service, start with the city’s Zoning Compliance Permits page. For a storefront build-out, change of use, or occupancy question, start with Ann Arbor Building Permits.

Important Ann Arbor business updates for 2026

Home-business permit wording was clarified. The current city zoning-compliance page lists temporary outdoor sales, temporary tents, and mobile food service as use-based zoning compliance permits. It links separate home occupation guidelines but does not list “home occupation” as a permit category. Follow the standards and ask Planning what review applies before assuming you need—or do not need—a permit.
Short-term rentals need a city license. Ann Arbor says stays of 30 consecutive days or less require a short-term-rental license. The fee is $500 per unit per year, each unit needs its own license, review can take up to 21 business days, and a denied application is not refundable. Accessory dwelling units cannot be used as short-term rentals.
Michigan’s 2026 minimum wage is $13.73 per hour. The state lists $5.49 per hour as the 2026 tipped rate when all tip-credit requirements are met. Employers should also check Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act and current required workplace posters.
The federal BOI rule is now final. FinCEN’s August 11, 2026 final rule, effective August 14, permanently exempts U.S.-created companies and U.S. persons from BOI reporting. Only certain foreign-created entities registered to do business in the United States can remain reporting companies.

Quick start: what to check first

Check the address. Use Ann Arbor zoning and property tools before you sign a lease or start work. Some uses need zoning review, a zoning compliance permit, or a building permit even if the space already looks ready.
Check the city permit layer. Look for City Clerk licenses, zoning compliance permits, building and trade permits, sign permits, fire permits, and right-of-way permits that match your activity.
Check the county layer. Sole proprietors and general partnerships using a business name may need a Washtenaw County assumed name filing. Food businesses usually need the Washtenaw County Health Department.
Check the state layer. LLCs, corporations, and foreign entities file with Michigan LARA. Sales tax, use tax, and withholding are handled through Michigan Treasury. Employers may also need Michigan UIA.
Check the federal layer. Many businesses need an EIN. Some activities, such as alcohol manufacturing, aviation, firearms, or broadcasting, can also have federal license rules.

For broader background before you work through local offices, see Do I Need a Business License? and City License vs County License vs State Registration.

City permits
County filings
Michigan steps
Federal checks
What to do next

Ann Arbor business license facts box

Question	Plain-English answer
Is there one citywide license for every Ann Arbor business?	No. Ann Arbor’s official pages list activity-specific licenses and permits rather than one universal business license.
Main city system for many permits	STREAM, the city’s online land and permit management system.
City office to check for activity licenses	Ann Arbor City Clerk for many city licenses and permits.
City office to check for zoning, signs, change of use, and permits	Planning, Building, Rental and Inspection Services, and related city departments.
County	Washtenaw County.
Latest Census population estimate	122,233 residents as of July 1, 2025.
Latest Census median household income	$82,212 in 2024 dollars for 2020–2024.
Washtenaw County assumed-name filing fee	$10 for a Certificate of Assumed Name; a co-partnership certificate is also $10.
Short-term-rental license	$500 per unit per year; separate license for each unit.
Michigan sales tax	6% state rate, no city or county sales tax, and no fee for a state sales tax license.
Michigan minimum wage in 2026	$13.73 per hour beginning January 1, 2026; special rules apply to tipped, minor, and training wages.
State agencies you may use	Michigan LARA, Michigan Department of Treasury, Michigan UIA, and industry boards or commissions.
Best first local question	“Is my planned use allowed at this address, and which city permits apply before I open?”

If an official fee, deadline, or renewal term is not shown on the official page for your exact permit, do not guess. Ask the office before you apply.

City, county, state, and federal layers

City of Ann Arbor requirements

The City of Ann Arbor’s own license pages point to specific permits and licenses. The City Clerk page lists items such as auctioneer licenses, charitable gaming recognition, commercial applicator of pavement sealant registration, commercial quadricycle operating permits, gem and precious metal dealer applications, going-out-of-business sale licenses, liquor licenses, manufactured fertilizer registration, marijuana facility permits, and temporary sound exemptions. The city’s broader Licenses & Permits page also points readers to construction permits, fire department items, sign permits, special event permits, right-of-way permits, sidewalk occupancy permits, and other local approvals.

That means a normal office-based consulting business may not need a separate City Clerk license. But a business that changes a space, puts up a sign, sells food, runs a temporary outdoor sale, uses a tent, operates mobile food service, hosts events, sells alcohol, handles marijuana, applies pavement sealant, or sells precious metals may have city or county steps.

For zoning, Ann Arbor says zoning review is part of building permit review, and it also lists separate zoning compliance permits for certain small structures and three use categories: temporary outdoor sales, temporary tents, and mobile food service. These zoning compliance permit applications must go through STREAM; paper applications and emailed PDFs are not accepted. Home occupations are covered by separate city standards, so contact Planning instead of assuming “home occupation” is the correct STREAM permit name.

For building work, Ann Arbor states that building permits oversee changes to structures, including demolition, renovation, installation, construction, and changes in building use. The city gives an example of converting a home to a small veterinary office, saying a building permit would be needed because the use changes from residential to commercial if zoning allows it.

If you rent a dwelling or unit for 30 consecutive days or less, Ann Arbor requires a short-term-rental license. The city charges $500 per unit per year, requires a separate license for each unit, and says review may take up to 21 business days. Residential-zone applications are limited to principal residences, non-principal-residence rentals are limited to permitted zones, and accessory dwelling units cannot be used as short-term rentals. Apply and pay through STREAM before advertising or hosting.

Washtenaw County requirements

Washtenaw County matters most for business names and public health. The county’s Business Names (DBA) page is the place to search for or register an assumed name or co-partnership. The listed fee is $10 for either certificate. This is usually most relevant for sole proprietors and general partnerships using a name that is not just the owner’s legal name. A DBA records a name; it does not create an LLC or give permission to operate.

Food businesses should also check the Washtenaw County Health Department. Its Food Safety & Food Licensing page routes businesses to catering licenses, cottage foods, mobile food cart licenses, special transitory food units and food trucks, temporary food establishment licenses, food service plan review, and restaurant opening guidance. The county’s applications page now provides a 2026 Environmental Health fee schedule and 2026–2027 food-service forms. A food business should not assume that city zoning approval replaces county plan review, licensing, or inspection.

Michigan state requirements

Michigan does not work like a single “buy one business license” state for every business. State steps depend on what you are forming and what you do.

LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and many foreign entities use the Michigan LARA Corporations Division. LARA says the Corporations Division forms business entities in Michigan and lets foreign entities obtain authority to transact business. The MiBusiness Registry Portal handles many filings, annual reports, statements, certificates, and business record searches. LARA says annual reports and annual statements must now be filed online rather than on paper.

Michigan Treasury handles tax registration. The state’s New Business Registration page says businesses begin at Michigan Treasury Online and complete Treasury’s registration application. Retail sellers generally need a sales tax license and remit 6% sales tax to the state. Michigan has no city, county, or local sales tax, and Treasury says there is no fee for a sales tax license. The license is issued for the calendar year and is available through Michigan Treasury Online.

If you have employees covered by Michigan unemployment law, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency says you must register for an employer account. UIA also says you must have a federal EIN to register.

If you hire workers, licensing is only one part of opening. Michigan’s minimum wage is $13.73 per hour beginning January 1, 2026; the state lists a $5.49 tipped rate when the tip-credit requirements are satisfied. Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act also applies to covered employers, with different annual-use limits for small and standard employers, and the state provides required posters at no cost. Check the official wage-and-hour pages for coverage and exceptions before setting payroll policies.

Some businesses need Michigan professional or industry licenses. Examples can include residential builders, electricians, plumbers, barbers, cosmetologists, health professionals, liquor licensees, marijuana businesses, child care providers, and other regulated work. Use LARA’s regulated products, professions, and businesses pages and the correct state board or commission before you open.

Federal requirements

An EIN is a common federal step. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS for free, and you generally need one to hire employees, operate a partnership or corporation, pay sales or excise taxes, change business structures, or manage certain trusts and plans. Get it through the IRS EIN page, not a paid look-alike site.

Federal business licenses are activity-based. The SBA says federal licenses and permits may apply when a business activity is regulated by a federal agency. Its licenses and permits guidance lists examples such as agriculture, alcoholic beverages, aviation, firearms, fish and wildlife, commercial fisheries, maritime transportation, mining and drilling, nuclear energy, broadcasting, and transportation.

Beneficial ownership reporting changed after many older guides were written. FinCEN issued a final rule on August 11, 2026, effective August 14, that permanently exempts companies created in the United States and U.S. persons from BOI reporting. Only certain entities created under foreign law and registered to do business in the United States can remain reporting companies, and they do not report U.S. person beneficial owners or company applicants. Check FinCEN’s current BOI page if a foreign entity is involved.

What does this mean for me?

If you are starting a simple home-based service business in Ann Arbor, your first check may be the city’s home occupation standards and state tax registration, not a city business license counter. If you are opening a storefront, your first checks are address, zoning, building permits, certificate of occupancy issues, signs, and state taxes. If you sell food, add Washtenaw County food licensing early. If you host short stays, add the city’s short-term-rental license. If you sell alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, precious metals, or regulated services, add state and city activity rules before you spend money.

Do not use an LLC filing as proof that you are allowed to operate at a location. An LLC is a state entity filing. It does not replace zoning, a county food license, a sales tax license, a building permit, a sign permit, a professional license, or a federal permit.

Costs you can plan for

Ann Arbor and Michigan fees depend on the exact permit, license, tax account, and work scope. Do not assume a fee from another city or another business applies to you.

Cost type	Who may face it	What to confirm
City Clerk license or permit fee	Activity-specific city licenses, such as certain dealers, sales, registrations, or special permits	Check the exact City Clerk item and current application before filing.
Zoning compliance permit	Temporary outdoor sales, mobile food service, temporary tents, and listed small structures	Confirm the current STREAM permit type and fee before you submit. Do not select this category solely because you run a home business or are changing a use.
Short-term-rental license	Hosts renting a dwelling or unit for 30 consecutive days or less	$500 per unit per year, paid with the application. Each unit needs a separate license, and the city says there is no refund if denied.
Sidewalk occupancy permit	Businesses using public sidewalk space for tables, merchandise, platforms, or another approved setup	The city lists $1 per square foot for an annual permit or $0.05 per square foot per day for a daily permit; confirm the approved area, dates, and any meter or tent steps.
Building and trade permits	Build-outs, renovations, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or change-of-use work	Plan review fees are due when the building permit application is submitted. Added inspections on an open trade permit are $35 each; confirm the full current fee schedule before work.
Smoke-shop Certificate of Occupancy document	Smoke shops seeking the state license	Ann Arbor specifically lists a $50 document fee and requires a finaled commercial building permit on record. Other businesses should ask Building what C of O process applies.
Washtenaw County assumed name or co-partnership	Many sole proprietors or general partnerships using a business name	$10 for a Certificate of Assumed Name or Certificate of Co-Partnership.
County food license or plan review fees	Restaurants, caterers, mobile food carts, food trucks, temporary food vendors	Check Washtenaw County Environmental Health for the current license, plan review, and inspection fee schedule.
Michigan sales tax license	Retail sellers of taxable tangible personal property	No application fee. The license is issued for the calendar year, but the business still must collect, report, and remit tax as required.
State employer accounts	Employers with covered workers	Registration is separate from unemployment tax, withholding, wages, sick time, and posting duties. Confirm your assigned UIA rate and filing schedule.
IRS EIN	Many entities and employers	The IRS says EINs are free when obtained directly from the IRS.

Do not pay a private site just because it uses words like “business license,” “seller permit,” or “EIN.” Start with the official city, county, state, and IRS pages first.

Real-world examples

Business	Likely first checks	Why it matters
Home-based consultant	Home occupation standards, Planning confirmation if the setup is unclear, business name, Michigan tax accounts if needed, EIN if needed	A home business may not need a citywide license, but zoning still limits floor area, visits, signs, employees, storage, and outside impacts.
Retail shop	Zoning, change of use, building permits, certificate of occupancy if required, sign permit, Michigan sales tax	The space may need city review before opening, especially after a new use or build-out.
Restaurant or cafe	City zoning and permits, Washtenaw County food plan review and licensing, fire checks, sales tax, signs	Food licensing and construction review should be checked before signing a lease or ordering equipment.
Food truck	County STFU or mobile food rules, city mobile food service zoning compliance, event or parking approvals, sales tax	A county food license does not automatically give permission to operate at every city location. See our Food Truck Business License and Permit Guide for broader context.
Short-term-rental host	Property eligibility, principal-residence or permitted-zone rules, rental Certificate of Compliance when required, $500 annual city license	Each unit needs its own license before operation, and an accessory dwelling unit cannot be used as a short-term rental.
Home occupation selling goods online	Home occupation standards, Michigan sales tax if taxable goods are sold, DBA or entity filing, platform rules	Online activity can still trigger home zoning, tax, and name registration issues. See Do Online Businesses Need a Business License?.

Zoning, home businesses, signs, and occupancy

Home occupation and change of use

Ann Arbor’s current home occupation guidance allows qualifying home occupations but sets practical limits. The business area may not exceed 25% of the dwelling’s gross floor area; the activity must be conducted by resident family members with no more than one additional employee; the property cannot show visible evidence such as a business sign; outdoor display or storage is not allowed; and business activity may not generate more than 10 vehicle trips in one day. Noise, dust, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference cannot be detectable beyond the property line.

The city’s current zoning-compliance permit page links those home occupation guidelines but does not list “home occupation” as a permit category. If your plan includes clients, inventory, a nonresident employee, work vehicles, frequent deliveries, food production, or another visible effect, send Planning the full description and ask what review applies. A change from one building use to another can instead trigger zoning review through a building permit or occupancy process. Our Home Occupation Permit Explained guide gives general background, but Ann Arbor’s rule and staff guidance control.

Signs

Ann Arbor says sign permits are submitted online through STREAM. The city also says sign regulations are in the Unified Development Code and cover location, design, size, construction, installation, maintenance, and public safety. A landlord’s approval does not replace a city sign permit when one is required.

Certificate of Occupancy

Ann Arbor says a Certificate of Occupancy is different from a rental Certificate of Compliance. The city says C of O applications go through STREAM and asks applicants to provide the applicant name, business name, address, and permit number. For smoke shops, the city says the State of Michigan requires a Certificate of Occupancy to obtain the state license and that approved occupant load must be listed.

Short-term rentals

For stays of 30 consecutive days or less, apply for the city short-term-rental license through STREAM. Each unit needs its own $500 annual license. In residential zones, only principal residences may apply; non-principal-residence units are limited to zones where the city allows them. A non-owner-occupied property must have a valid rental Certificate of Compliance before applying, and accessory dwelling units are not eligible.

Fire and safety checks

The Ann Arbor Fire Prevention Bureau provides inspection services and uses the Ann Arbor Fire Prevention Code. Food service, assembly spaces, storage, cooking equipment, tents, events, hazardous materials, and build-outs may need fire review or inspection. The city’s fire inspection page lists practical items such as exits, emergency lighting, extinguishers, fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, commercial cooking suppression systems, and storage clearances.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming there is one Ann Arbor business license for every business.
Signing a lease before checking zoning and change-of-use rules.
Treating an LLC filing as permission to operate locally.
Buying a sign before checking Ann Arbor sign rules and STREAM permit steps.
Starting construction before building or trade permits are issued.
Opening a food business before county food plan review, licensing, or inspection is clear.
Assuming every home business needs a permit with “home occupation” in the name—or assuming no city standards apply.
Advertising or operating a short-term rental before its city license is issued.
Using old BOI deadline guidance that predates FinCEN’s August 2026 final rule.
Relying on private filing websites instead of official city, county, state, and IRS pages.

Phone and email scripts

Use short, clear messages. Include your business type, address, and what you plan to do. Do not ask the agency to “approve my business” in general. Ask what permit, license, zoning review, or next office applies.

City zoning and building script

Hello, I am planning to operate a [business type] at [address or general area] in Ann Arbor. The business would [plain description of activity, including clients, employees, deliveries, inventory, signs, vehicles, and building work]. Can you tell me whether the use is allowed and whether I should start with home occupation standards, zoning compliance, change of use, a building permit, a Certificate of Occupancy, or another city review?

City Clerk license script

Hello, I am checking whether Ann Arbor has a City Clerk license or permit for [activity], such as auctioneering, a going-out-of-business sale, liquor local approval, precious metal dealing, pavement sealant application, marijuana facility permitting, or another listed activity. Which official application should I use, and where can I confirm the current fee?

Washtenaw County food script

Hello, I plan to operate a [restaurant, food truck, catering, cottage food, temporary event food stand] in Ann Arbor. Can you tell me which Washtenaw County food license or plan review path applies before I buy equipment, sign a lease, or serve customers?

Short-term-rental script

Hello, I want to rent [property address and unit] for stays of 30 days or less. Is this unit eligible as a principal-residence or non-principal-residence short-term rental, does it need a rental Certificate of Compliance first, and what must be approved before I advertise or host?

Michigan tax and employer script

Hello, I am starting a business in Ann Arbor and may sell [products or services] and hire [number] employees. Which Treasury and UIA accounts apply, what filing schedule will I have, and where should I verify current minimum wage, earned sick time, and posting requirements?

Keep a simple contact log with the date, office, person or inbox, question asked, and answer received.

What to do if this doesn’t work

If you cannot tell which permit applies, work backward from your address and activity.

Write one short description of the business, location, customers, food, vehicles, signs, employees, and building work.
Ask Ann Arbor Planning or Building which city review comes first.
If food is involved, ask Washtenaw County Environmental Health before buying equipment or setting an opening date.
If stays of 30 days or less are involved, ask Ann Arbor Short-Term Rental staff whether the exact unit is eligible before paying the nonrefundable application fee.
If the issue is tax, ask Michigan Treasury or a qualified Michigan tax professional.

A compact compliance checklist

Confirm the business address is inside the City of Ann Arbor, not a nearby township.
Check the zoning district and allowed use. For a home business, compare the setup with Ann Arbor’s home occupation standards and ask Planning what review applies.
Check City Clerk activity licenses and permits for your exact business activity.
Use STREAM for city permits when Ann Arbor requires online filing.
Check building, trade, fire, sign, tent, right-of-way, or event permits before work starts.
Get a separate annual city license for each eligible short-term-rental unit before operating.
File a Washtenaw County assumed name if it applies to your structure and business name.
Check county food licensing and plan review before any food operation.
File Michigan entity paperwork with LARA if forming an LLC, corporation, or similar entity.
Register with Michigan Treasury if sales, use, withholding, or other business taxes apply.
Register with Michigan UIA if you have covered employees.
If you hire, check the current Michigan minimum wage, Earned Sick Time Act, required posters, payroll, workers’ compensation, and federal employment rules.
Get an EIN directly from the IRS if your business needs one.
Check federal license rules if your activity is federally regulated.

What to do next

Start with the location. For Ann Arbor, the safest order is zoning first, then building or occupancy needs, then any city activity or short-term-rental license, then county food or business-name filings, then state tax, entity, and employer steps, and finally federal tax ID or activity permits. This order helps prevent the most expensive mistake: spending money on a space or setup that cannot be used the way you planned.

Official resources

About BusinessLicenseGuide.com

BusinessLicenseGuide.com is a plain-English licensing guide for ordinary small-business owners. We are not a government agency, law firm, CPA firm, filing service, or permit expeditor. Our goal is to help you sort the layers, ask better questions, and go back to the official source before you act.

Continue your license search

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FAQ

Does Ann Arbor require a general business license?

Ann Arbor does not publish one all-purpose business license for every business. The city uses specific licenses, zoning reviews, building permits, sign permits, fire checks, and activity permits when they apply.

What should I check first before opening a business in Ann Arbor?

Check the exact address and planned use first. Ask whether zoning rules, home occupation standards, a change of use, building permits, a Certificate of Occupancy, food licensing, signs, or other permits apply before you sign a lease or open.

Do I need a Washtenaw County DBA for an Ann Arbor business?

You may need a Washtenaw County assumed-name filing if you are a sole proprietor or general partnership using a business name. The county lists a $10 fee for a Certificate of Assumed Name or Certificate of Co-Partnership. LLCs and corporations generally handle assumed names through Michigan LARA. A DBA is a name filing, not a license to operate.

Who handles restaurant and food truck licensing in Ann Arbor?

Washtenaw County Environmental Health handles many food safety and licensing steps, including restaurants, temporary food establishments, mobile food carts, and special transitory food units or food trucks. Ann Arbor zoning, mobile food service, event, sidewalk, or parking approvals may still apply.

Do I need a Michigan sales tax license?

You generally need a Michigan sales tax license if you sell taxable tangible personal property to final consumers. Michigan Treasury says the state rate is 6%, there is no city or county sales tax, and there is no fee for the license. The license is issued for the calendar year.

Do short-term rentals need a license in Ann Arbor?

Yes. Ann Arbor requires a license for a dwelling or unit rented for 30 consecutive days or less. Each unit needs a separate $500 annual license, review can take up to 21 business days, and accessory dwelling units cannot be used as short-term rentals. Property and zoning eligibility rules also apply.

Do Ann Arbor LLCs need to file BOI reports with FinCEN?

No, if the LLC was created in the United States. FinCEN’s August 11, 2026 final rule permanently exempts U.S.-created companies and U.S. persons from BOI reporting. Certain foreign-created entities registered to do business in the United States may still have reporting duties.

Update note

Last updated: August 21, 2026

Next review: November 21, 2026

This refresh checked current City of Ann Arbor licensing, zoning, building, occupancy, short-term-rental, sidewalk, sign, and fire pages; Washtenaw County business-name and 2026 food-service materials; Michigan LARA, Treasury, UIA, minimum-wage, and earned-sick-time guidance; IRS, SBA, and FinCEN guidance; and the latest U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts available on the update date.

Material changes include correcting the home occupation permit wording, adding the city’s $500-per-unit short-term-rental license, adding current local and state fees and employer figures, updating Ann Arbor population and income statistics, and replacing interim BOI wording with FinCEN’s August 2026 final rule.

Disclaimer

This article is informational only. It is not legal, tax, financial, insurance, employment, safety, zoning, licensing, or professional advice. Rules, fees, forms, links, and policies can change. Confirm important details with the official agency or a qualified professional. BusinessLicenseGuide.com does not guarantee approval, eligibility, compliance, savings, income, speed, or results.

About the author

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor, businesslicenseguide.com

🎓 BA Communications & Journalism 📋 11+ years in benefits navigation 🌎 Bilingual English / Spanish 🤝 Salvation Army volunteer translator

Analic Mata-Murray holds a Communications degree with a focus in Journalism and Advertising from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. For over 11 years, she volunteered as a translator for The Salvation Army — sitting across the table from Spanish-speaking families trying to access government programs, emergency housing, and poverty relief when they needed it most.

What she learned in that work shapes everything on this site: most people who don't get help don't miss out because they don't qualify. They miss out because nobody bothered to explain the system in plain English.

As Managing Editor of Business License Guide, Analic oversees every guide published here. Her job is simple — If a guide is vague, jargon-heavy, or out of date, it doesn't go live.