Temporary Food Establishments

If you are thinking of starting a Mobile Food Establishment in Sauk County, please take the time to review the following information about the licensing process and requirements. It is against the law to operate a temporary food establishment without a license.

Food Code Fact Sheets

Definitions

• Temporary Food Establishment: a food establishment that operates at a fixed location for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration such as a  fair, carnival, circus, public exhibition, anniversary sale, or occasional sales promotion.
• Food Vendor: an operator of either a temporary food establishment or a mobile restaurant/retail establishment that is in conjunction with an event.

Licensing and inspection requirements

• All food vendors operating at an event in Sauk County must obtain either a mobile or temporary license. See the Mobile Food Establishment page if you wish to operate a mobile food establishment.
• A routine inspection will be conducted at every food vendor encountered at an event who holds a Sauk County Health Department (SCHD) license and has not yet been inspected in Sauk County during the current licensing year.

Licensing Process and Fees

• Temporary food establishments are exempt from pre-licensing inspections, but are subject to inspections and must comply with the Wisconsin Food Code.
• Please review the Temporary Food Service Guidelines Fact Sheet for more information on temporary food service requirements.
• Application and fees
  • The Sauk County Health Department License Application must be submitted to the department prior to operation.
  • The license fee will be submitted to the department prior to operation.
• Contact SCHD if you have any additional questions about temporary food establishment licensing.
• Frequently Asked Questions