Permits
Coffee and cart permits in Wisconsin
To sell coffee in Wisconsin, you work with your county health department for food and mobile vending permits, then add a business license and state tax registration. Pick your county below for the department that handles your area and the steps to open.
72 counties in Wisconsin. 16 have a detailed permit page below. For any other county, check your ZIP and we will point you to the right health department.
Statewide rules in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, retail food establishment and mobile food unit licenses are issued directly by the Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) or a DATCP-delegated county or city health agency.
- Food & vending permits
- DATCP, food establishment licensing (restaurants, mobile food units, catering)
- Sales tax permit
- Seller's permit, Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue
- Sales tax rate
- 5% state base rateTypical combined range: 5%-6.9%Counties, cities, and special or transit districts add local sales tax on top, so your combined rate depends on your exact address.Wisconsin DOR sales tax rates
Typical license fees
Wisconsin DATCP issues all retail food establishment licenses statewide under Administrative Code ATCP 75. Annual license fees are based on a complexity risk assessment. Licenses expire June 30.
- Brick and mortar cafe with seats
- About $230 to $540 a year based on complexity
- Counter or kiosk with no seats
- About $230 a year, or about $105 a year for prepackaged only
- Mobile cart, trailer, or truck
- About $230 a year
- Catering
- About $330 to $540 a year
- Pop-up or farmers market vendor
- About $45 a year prepackaged, or about $170 a year with prepared foods
New establishments also pay a one-time pre-inspection fee of $320 for simple, $470 for moderate, or $770 for complex operations. A coffee shop or cafe primarily serving beverages with no made-to-order food may qualify for a non-meal-serving category with lower fees. Sales tax Business Tax Registration is $20 for two years.
Fee schedule, last verified July 14, 2026.
Official links, last verified July 14, 2026. Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees before you apply.