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Milwaukee Health Department
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Since a mobile food establishment is like a restaurant on wheels, many of the same code requirements for restaurants apply to mobile food establishments, including licensing. For this reason, it is important that all prospective mobile food operators take the time to fully research their new business prior to applying for a license.
License application and fees in the City of Milwaukee are handled by the License Division of the City Clerk's office.
More information can be found in the Wisconsin Food Code pdf.
The DATCP Mobile food license will expire on June 30th 2020. In order to operate in the State of Wisconsin, you must have a valid mobile food License either from the City of Milwaukee or another jurisdiction in the State. Food trucks shall be licensed where their base is. To obtain a mobile food license, the vehicle must meet all requirements, complete an application, and pass an inspection.
After you have submitted your renewal application to the City Clerk’s office, you can call Consumer Environmental Health at 414-286-3674 or email CEHCoordinator@milwaukee.gov to make an inspection appointment.
Every person who physically operates an ice cream vending vehicle or any person who physically conducts the vending of ice cream or similar frozen confections from a vehicle or from a carried container must have an Ice Cream Peddler's License. These licenses are issued by the License Division of the City Clerk's office
Mobile units must have a Mobile Service Base (A place to fill your water tank, dispose of wastewater, wash utensils, and store and prepare food). This base is required even if all food is prepared on the mobile unit and is in addition to the license for your vehicle or cart. You cannot use a private home as a service base to prepare food.
Service base requirements
Mobile Service Base facilities must meet the Wisconsin Food Code standards for floor and wall finishes, equipment, and lighting. If you are sharing or leasing a facility operated by someone else, the Health Department will inspect that location in your name. You are required to have a notarized agreement between you and the facility owner. It should specify the times that your vehicle will be using the base. If asked by an inspector, you must furnish information about the itinerary of your vehicle, so keep this information available at your service base.
EACH MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT SHALL RETURN TO ITS SERVICE BASE AT LEAST EVERY 24 HOURS FOR SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE.
Zeidler Municipal Building 841 N. Broadway, Room 320 Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: 414-286-3674 Fax: 414-286-5164 cehcoordinator@milwaukee.gov
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm