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Permits

Coffee and cart permits in Fond du Lac County, WI

Fond du Lac County is a midsize Wisconsin market for a new coffee business. Around 15 coffee and snack bars already operate here, alongside roughly 145 restaurants, so a light competition market. Below is who issues permits in Fond du Lac County and the steps to open a coffee shop, cart, or trailer.

Local market in Fond du Lac County, WI

A broad read on the county around your shop, so you can size up demand before you commit.

County population104,137Large marketPlenty of potential regulars. 2024 estimate.
Median household income$73,4858% below the U.S. median household income, 2025 estimate.

These are county figures, so read them as a broad signal. Data from DataUSA (U.S. Census ACS and County Health Rankings).

We do not have a direct department link for Fond du Lac County yet. Contact the Fond du Lac County environmental health division for food and mobile vending permits. The steps below still apply.

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
Seller's permit, Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue
Food safety cards
A Certified Food Protection Manager for most licensed establishments, renewed every five years via an ANSI-accredited exam.

Official links, last verified July 14, 2026. Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees before you apply.

What you need to open

A common order to work through. Filter the cards below by your setup to see just the lines that apply.

  1. 1Food safetyFood handler and manager cards
  2. 2Business licenseRegister your business locally
  3. 3CityLocal permits and zoning
  4. 4StateSeller's permit and sales tax

Every setup

  1. Food handler and manager cards

    You and your staff carry food handler cards, and at least one manager usually holds a food safety manager certificate.

  2. Business license and registration

    Register your business, then get a city or county business license for where you operate.

  3. Seller's permit and state tax

    Register for a seller's permit and a state tax account so you can collect and send in sales tax.

Depends on your setup

  1. County health permit

    A fixed kiosk or cafe applies to the Fond du Lac County health department for a retail food facility permit covering the space where drinks and food are prepared.

    KioskCafe

  2. Mobile food facility permit

    Serving from a cart, trailer, or truck means a mobile food facility permit, often with a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.

    Coffee cartTrailerPop-upFood truckCatering

  3. Temporary food facility permit

    Selling at farmers markets, festivals, and other events for a set number of dates usually needs a temporary food facility permit.

    TrailerPop-upFood truckCatering

  4. Fire and building sign off

    A storefront build out needs zoning and building sign off before you open. A food truck that runs propane or a generator may also need a fire safety inspection.

    KioskFood truckCafe

Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees with the department before you apply.

Common questions about Fond du Lac County permits

Do I need a permit to sell coffee in Fond du Lac County?
Yes. Any coffee shop, cart, or trailer serving drinks or food in Fond du Lac County needs a food permit, plus a Wisconsin sales tax permit and a local business license. Carts, trailers, and trucks are permitted as mobile food units and usually need a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.
Who issues food and mobile vending permits in Fond du Lac County?
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. Confirm which office covers Fond du Lac County before you apply.
How many coffee shops are in Fond du Lac County?
About 15 coffee and snack bars operate in Fond du Lac County, alongside roughly 145 restaurants (2022 Census County Business Patterns). With about 104,137 residents, that is roughly one coffee or snack bar per 6,942 people.
Do I need a food handler card in Fond du Lac County?
Yes. A Certified Food Protection Manager for most licensed establishments, renewed every five years via an ANSI-accredited exam.
How much does a coffee shop or cart permit cost in Fond du Lac County?
Fees vary by permit type and are set by the issuing agency. Food facility and mobile unit permits commonly run from about $100 to several hundred dollars a year, on top of your Wisconsin sales tax permit (free to register) and a local business license. Confirm current fees with the department before you apply.

Get the full plan for your shop

Answer a few questions and get a personalized roadmap from first idea to grand opening, with the permits, costs, and steps for your concept.

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Show all 15 ZIP codes in Fond du Lac County

Find yours to confirm the exact jurisdiction before you apply.

  • 53010
  • 53019
  • 53049
  • 53057
  • 53065
  • 53079
  • 53919
  • 53931
  • 53963
  • 54932
  • 54935
  • 54937
  • 54971
  • 54974
  • 54979