Restaurant Grade Cards: Dearborn vs Detroit
How do restaurant grade cards rules compare between Dearborn, MI and Detroit, MI?
Dearborn and Detroit have similar restriction levels.
Dearborn, MI
Wayne County
Wayne County Public Health Services inspects food establishments in suburban municipalities under the Michigan Modernized Food Law, issuing routine and follow-up inspection reports rather than letter grades.
View full Dearborn rules →Detroit, MI
Wayne County
The Detroit Health Department inspects food establishments under Michigan's adopted FDA Food Code (R 325.25101+), posting reports online rather than letter grades. Routine inspections occur one to three times yearly based on risk category.
View full Detroit rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Dearborn | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Wayne County Public Health Services | - |
| Governing law | Michigan Modernized Food Law | - |
| Posted grade | No letter grade required | - |
| Detroit coverage | Detroit Health Department instead | - |
| Code basis | - | R 325.25101 et seq. |
| Inspector | - | Detroit Health Department |
| Inspection frequency | - | 1-3 per year |
| Public reports | - | michigan.gov/eatsafe |
| Closure trigger | - | Imminent health hazard |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Dearborn FAQ
Does Wayne County post letter grades on restaurants?
No. Michigan uses inspection reports rather than A/B/C grades. Reports are public and posted through Wayne County Public Health Services online tools.
Who inspects Detroit restaurants?
Detroit restaurants are inspected by the Detroit Health Department, not Wayne County. The county handles the suburban communities and townships outside Detroit.
Detroit FAQ
Does Detroit post letter grades on restaurant windows?
No. Michigan does not use the A-B-C placard system. Inspection reports are posted online through the state's EatSafe portal and available on request from the Detroit Health Department.
Who licenses food trucks in Detroit?
Mobile food establishments are licensed by MDARD with operational approval from DHD when based in Detroit. Operators need a commissary agreement and pass plan review before vending.
Compare other topics
See how Dearborn and Detroit compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool