Public Health Madison & Dane County

Food Establishments

Person holding a bowl of food.

We license and inspect food establishments. See below to learn about food safety and licensing.

Look Up a Health Inspection Report

  • These reports give you information on the conditions we saw at the time of inspection.
  • Our reports may not reflect actions the establishment made to correct issues, or the current condition of the business.

Health Inspections

Get a License

All Dane County food establishments must be licensed and inspected each year.

Retail Food Establishments

Opening a Food Establishment

Read our fact sheet (Español / 繁體中文) to learn about applying for a license, the plan review and pre-inspection process, and requirements from the Wisconsin Food Code.

Licensing Fees

  • You must pay a licensing fee to get an annual food and drink license. The fee is based on anticipated gross annual food sales and food handling complexity.
  • There is also a one-time pre-inspection fee which covers:
    • The cost of reviewing plans
    • Working with us on equipment installation and proper design and construction of the facility
    • On-site evaluation of the facility before issuing the permit.
  • Call 608-242-6515 or email us for more information.

The Food and Drink License Application Process

The City of Madison Clerk's office processes all food and drink applications and fees in Madison and Dane County. If you have questions about this process, call us at 608-242-6515 or email us.

  1. Complete the Food and Drink Licensing Application. For questions, to get help completing this application in another language, or to contact a sanitarian, call Environmental Heath at 608-242-6515 or email us.
  2. Look up the Licensing Fees.
  3. Send your application and payment to the City Clerk's Office. The address is on the application.
  4. If your establishment is new or remodeled, send a copy of the kitchen plans by email or to Environmental Health Division, 2300 S. Park St., Suite 2010, Madison, WI, 53713
  5. Schedule a pre-inspection with us by phone at 608-242-6515 or email us.
  6. After your application and fee are processed and your pre-inspection is completed, you will get your license. We want to better serve you! Fill out our 2-minute anonymous feedback survey about your health inspection.

Mobile Food Establishments

Opening a Mobile Food Establishment

Mobile food establishments are like restaurants on wheels. Many of the same code requirements for restaurants apply to them, including licensing.

Please review the following materials before purchasing and/or building a mobile food unit:

The Mobile Food Establishment Licensing Process

If you have questions about this process, call us at 608-242-6515 or email us.

  1. Complete the Licensing Application. For questions, to get help completing this application in another language, or to contact a sanitarian, call Environmental Heath at 608-242-6515 or email us.
  2. Send your application and payment to the City Clerk's Office. The address is on the application.
  3. Send your Operation Plan and mobile food cart and base plans for our approval by email or to Environmental Health Division, 2300 S. Park St., Suite 2010, Madison, WI, 53713
  4. Schedule a pre-inspection with us by phone at 608-242-6515 or email us.
  5. After your application and fee are processed and your pre-inspection is complete, you will get your license. We want to better serve you! Fill out our 2-minute anonymous feedback survey about your health inspection.

Additional Information

Mobile ice cream vending

Learn what’s required for mobile ice cream vending in our fact sheet (Español)

Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Mobile Licenses

  • DATCP State Mobile licensed (Restaurant or Retail) vendors are now exempt from additional Public Health licensing. A DATCP license is intended for those who will be operating and selling food or beverages in multiple cities and counties in Wisconsin.
  • Make sure to always have the current DATCP license with you during food service. If you can’t show your DATCP license, you may be required to buy a food license from us.
  • Even with a DATCP license, you may be subject to an inspection and a $25 inspection fee from us.
  • If you will only be operating in Dane County, you are required to get the annual mobile license through us.

City of Madison street vending

Transient Food and Farmers' Market Vendors
  • A transient food stand serves food to the public at one location for no more than 14 consecutive days.
  • We issue annual transient food and drink licenses to food vendors for special events. Events include fairs, festivals, sporting events, and farmers markets.

Food Safety Requirements & Resources

The Transient Food Licensing Process

If you have questions about this process, call us at 608-242-6515 or email us.  For events on the UW-Madison campus, contact  UW Environmental Health & Safety for licensing.

  1. Apply and pay the licensing fee. There are two ways to do this:
    • Apply and pay online. If you’re a new user, click “Register for an Account.”
    • Complete the application and pay by mail or in person at City of Madison Clerk’s Office, 210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd #103, Madison, WI 53703
  2. Call us at 608-242-6515 or email us before the event to discuss your food stand set up.
  3. Check with your local municipality for zoning, fire, or other local requirements.

Licensing Exemptions

  • A non-profit food stand serving meals may operate up to three days within a calendar year. After three days, a license and payment  is required.
  • A non-profit food stand serving retail foods (non-meals) is allowed to operate up to twelve days per calendar year. After twelve days, a license and payment  is required. For fee exempt days, non-profit groups must register by emailing us a Transient Food and Drink license application and following safe food handling practices.
  • Food stands at youth sporting events, such as a little league game, that operate for the benefit of the youth sports team or program do not need a license.
  • Offering free food samples that meet these sampling guidelines do not need a license.
  • Home bakers selling baked goods following DATCP Guidelines do not need a license.

Transient Food Licenses from Other Jurisdictions

  • If you have a current transient food license from another jurisdiction, you can vend at Dane County events.
  • Make sure to have the current license with you. If you can’t show your license, you may required to buy a transient food license from us.
  • Even with a license from another jurisdiction, you may be subject to an inspection.

Information for Event Coordinators

Event coordinators have an important role in assuring food safety. By working together, we will:

  • Identify and resolve potential public health concerns before the event
  • Make sure vendors complete their license application and pay fees.
  • Educate vendors about food safety requirements.
  • Provide a Health Department representative at vendor meeting(s) if requested.

Event coordinators must complete and send the following to us at least 14 days before the event:

Find fact sheets about safe food handling

2020 Wisconsin Food Code Updates

English / Spanish / Mandarin

Proper Cooking and Storing of Food

Cleanup and Sanitation

For Employers and Employees

Learn More
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