Opening your space to pop-ups in Ann Arbor: the checklist

Not legal advice. This is a starting checklist, checked 2026-09-25. Rules change and differ by county and city. Talk to a lawyer and confirm with the Washtenaw County Health Department before you sell a ticket or open your space.

At a glance

• Licensed restaurant or bar: your licence likely covers the night (unverified), and drinks only when you sell them (see Drinks). York charged pop-ups $50 and sold beer (2021). MDARD Ann Arbor Observer
• Unlicensed event space: you'll need a temporary licence for each event (unverified: usually tied to a community event; call first). A "rental hall" counts as food service. MCL 289.1107
• Home: 6 clients at a time, max, 8am to 8pm, one nonresident employee. Cosy, by law. Ann Arbor UDC
• Biggest risk: drinks on a ticketed night in an unlicensed space. See Drinks below.

Quick answers

Can I host a pop-up in my space in Ann Arbor? It depends on the space. A licensed restaurant or bar's licence likely covers the night (unverified). An unlicensed space needs a temporary licence per event (unverified: usually tied to a community event; call first). Homes allow 6 clients at once. MDARD MCL 289.1107 Ann Arbor UDC

Can guests BYOB at a pop-up in my Ann Arbor space? No, not in an unlicensed space. A ticketed night there is dry, BYOB and donations included. MLCC

What should I ask the organizer for in Ann Arbor? Their licence and a certificate of insurance naming you. Caterers have to work out of a licensed food service establishment, so ask where they cook. Washtenaw

Steps, in order

Already done some of these? Skip them.

Suggested order.

• 1. Talk to a lawyer about your space.
• 2. Check zoning, your lease or HOA. Homes face the 6-client limit. Ann Arbor UDC
• 3. Restaurant or bar? Check with Washtenaw County that your licence covers a guest chef's night (unverified). MDARD
• 4. Unlicensed space? The organizer needs a temporary licence: $167 for-profit, more than 3 business days ahead. Washtenaw fees Apply
• 5. Sort drinks on your premises: see Drinks below.
• 6. Ask your insurer about ticketed events. Homeowners policies exclude activity "engaged in for money or other compensation." Some policies exempt small side income; get it in writing from your insurer. ISO HO-3
• 7. Ask the organizer for their licence and a certificate of insurance naming you. Washtenaw
• 8. Set your rental fee and deposit in writing. A handshake is warm. It won't hold a deposit.

Drinks

• Licensed restaurant, bar or hotel: your liquor licence covers drinks you sell. Share bar sales with the organizer and you need an MLCC Participation Permit. MCL 436.1913 R 436.1041
• Unlicensed space: a ticketed night is dry. No BYOB, no hired bartender, and caterer liquor (the Catering Permit) only covers free, invite-only events. MLCC MCL 436.1547
• Ann Arbor step: an unlicensed space pours only under a nonprofit's Special License ($25 or $50 a day, police sign-off, no BYOB). No separate city permit found (unverified). LCC-110a Ann Arbor

Watch-outs

• Caterers have to work out of a licensed food service establishment, so ask where they cook. Washtenaw
• Neighbours notice. Lucha Puerco's driveway sales once caused a traffic jam (Ypsilanti example, anecdotal). Ann Arbor Observer
• Some health districts let a pop-up run under the host's licence with consent (DHD4 example, not Washtenaw). DHD4

Learn more

• Washtenaw temporary food licence
• Ann Arbor unified development code
• MLCC: unlicensed premises

Ready to open your doors to micro hospitality? Join Tenseats as a venue host.

Not legal advice. Confirm with a lawyer and the Washtenaw County Health Department before you act.