Mobile Food Establishments
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.
Licensing Process
License application and fees in the City of Milwaukee are handled by the License Division of the City Clerk's office.
- Complete the Licensing Application and the Food Peddler Supplemental License Information forms
- If you are sharing a base kitchen, complete the Shared Kitchen Agreement.
- Submit application and fee to the City Clerk's Office listed on the application.
- Submit your Operation Plan and mobile food cart and base plans for health department approval. Plans can be mailed to the Consumer Environmental Health Department, 841 N Broadway Floor 3, Milwaukee, WI, 53202 or email [email protected]
- Mobile food cart and base licenses are issued after the application and fees have been processed and an inspector conducts a pre-inspection and approves the license.
- For questions and/or to schedule a pre-inspection, please contact us at 414-286-8327 or [email protected]
More information can be found in the Wisconsin Food Code pdf.
Previously State Licensed Mobile Food Trucks
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 [email protected] to make an inspection appointment.
Mobile Food Unit Requirements
- State of Wisconsin requirements can be found in Chapter 9 of The Wisconsin Food Code
- City of Milwaukee Moving and Parking Rules. Download City of Milwaukee Rules and Regulations for Food Trucks and Mobile Vendors: English or Español.
- Mobile Food Unit Requirement Checklist
- Mobile Service Base Requirements
- License must be on the truck/cart at all times.
- Certified Food Manager Certificate must be on the truck at all times
Mobile Food Webinars 2022
On April 6th & 7th, Mobile Food Summit informational session were held (using GoToWebinar) for new and existing operators. Topics covered included structural requirements for mobile units, parking rules, & the licensing process. Click below for recordings of the webinars (use a smartphone, tablet, or laptop).
English April 6th 10:30am- CLICK HERE FOR A RECORDING OF THE WEBINAR
Spanish April 7th 10:30am- CLICK HERE FOR A RECORDING OF THE WEBINAR (SPANISH)
There were question / answer sessions after each presentation session.
Ice Cream Peddlers
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