The City Clerk’s Office is responsible for the registration and licensing of many trades and businesses. 

Contractors must be certified by the State of Michigan and registered with the City of Dearborn in order to obtain work permits within the city.  

If you have further questions regarding contractor and/or business registration,

call (313) 943-2015 or (313) 943-2010.

 Liability Insurance

Some licenses require a certificate of liability insurance naming the City of Dearborn as the certificate holder. See example below. The following is a partial list of licenses that require general liability insurance:

• Residential building contractor                                
• Commercial building contractor
• Building Sub-contractors
• Residential concrete contractors
• Drain layer
• Fire repair
• Mechanical excavating & grading
• Sign erector
• Tent erector
• Tree removal
• Vendor vehicle (Food Truck)

iChat Background Check

Other licenses require a background check which is then submitted to the Dearborn Police Dept. for approval.  Applicants needing a criminal history search can go to www.michigan.gov/ichat. There is a fee for this service which can be paid online.  The following is a partial list of licenses that require a background check:

• Tobacco
• Smoking Lounge
• Solicitor/Vendor
• Valet parking
• Manager (lodgings, athletic clubs*, coffee houses)
• Secondhand dealer

*Athletic Club includes spas and other facilities that offer massage.