The Environmental Health and Safety program works to promote health, prevent foodborne illness and provide guidance on food safety practices for businesses, special events and farmers markets. 

Online License Payments

Pay your license renewal online

License Applications

Retail Food

This application is used if you are opening a permanent Retail Food establishment, such as a restaurant, grocery or convenience store, or bakery. Please contact the Marathon County Health Department at 715-261-1900 or via email to consult with a sanitarian regarding license fees and pre-inspection fees. It is important to ensure you are considering the correct license category.

Retail Food Application (.pdf) - English | Español | Hmoob

Transient Food

A transient retail food establishment is a temporary food stand or booth. It works in one place for a short time and must be during a special event. Special events are things like fairs, concerts, festivals, markets, etc. It can only be open for up to 14 days in a row at one event. A transient retail food established can go to more than one event, just not for more than 14 days in one place.

This is different from a mobile food truck. A mobile food truck can park in many places, but a transient food stand can only operate at special events. It cannot park outside a business when there is no event. If you have questions about which license you need, please contact us at the Health Department by email or phone.

If you are planning to have a transient food service operation, use the following online form to apply:

Transient License Application Form

The following resources provide important information if you are considering starting a Retail Food establishment such as a restaurant, grocery or convenience store, or bakery.

• DATCP Fact Sheets - English | Español
• Food Service Facility Requirements (.pdf) English | Español | Hmoob
• Food Cooling Log (.pdf) - English & Español

To view restaurant and retail food establishment inspection reports, please visit the inspection report website. 

• “Priority item” means a violation which is directly related to hazards associated with foodborne illness or injury. “Priority item” includes items such as cooking, reheating, cooling, or handwashing.
• “Priority foundation item” means a violation which supports or enables one or more Priority items to limit hazards. “Priority foundation item” includes an item such as personnel training, necessary equipment, formal food processing plans, documentation or record keeping, and labeling.
• “Core item” means a violation that is not designated as a priority item or a priority foundation item.  “Core item” includes an item that usually relates to general sanitation, operational controls, sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), equipment design, or general maintenance.

Food safety training can be obtained from multiple sources, including:

• Northcentral Technical College Food Safety Courses
• Wisconsin Restaurant Association ServSafe
• Tavern League of Wisconsin Food Safety Courses

Mobile food stands, often called food trucks, are any moveable vehicle or trailer from which food is prepared or served to customers. Mobile food stands have specific equipment requirements and can sell and serve wherever permitted under municipal regulations. Transient food stands are associated with a special events such as a concerts; sporting events; trade shows; flea markets or farmers markets; public exhibitions by artists, craftsman, or vehicle enthusiasts; a fair, carnival, circus, or governmentally recognized celebration based on a specific calendar date such as a holiday or anniversary.

Potlucks and bake sales are typically exempt from licensing if the conditions listed in ATCP 75.04(31) are met. Food safety remains the responsibility of the event and participants and information in https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents/FoodSafetyExemptGroups.pdf provides important steps to keep the event safe for attendees and successful.

• Mobile Food Stands (.pdf) -  English | Español | Hmoob
• Temporary Event Food Safety (.pdf) - English | Español | Hmoob
• Safe Water for your Festival (.pdf) - English | Español | Hmoob

Wisconsin Food Regulations:

• Chapter ATCP 75 – Retail Food Establishments
• Chapter ATCP 75 Appendix
• Home Bakeries – Licenses and Homemade Baked Goods
• Código de Alimentos FDA para referencia (.pdf) - Español