Transient/Temporary Food Events

This transient license allows you to serve meals or sell food ONLY at community events (e.g. Fairs, Festivals, Farmer Markets) or for occasional sales promotions. Under a transient license, you may serve food an unlimited number of days during the licensing year with the following exceptions:

• You may not serve meals or sell food for more than 14 consecutive days at a single location.

• An occasional sales promotion (e.g. car dealership having brat fry), only limited 3 days per year.

• Non-Profit Organizations: serve meals for 3 or fewer days a year or sell non-meals (e.g. ice cream, desserts) for 12 or fewer days a year

Transient Food Stand License: Use this application to apply for a Temporary/Transient Food Stand License for the current licensing year (July 1st – June 30th).

REHA, DATCP and other jurisdictions in Wisconsin honor each other’s licenses; however, you may be charged an inspection fee, if inspected while operating in a jurisdiction that did not issue you the license.

What is a community event?

Examples include farmers markets, festivals, fairs and community celebrations.

What is an occasional sales promotion?

Examples are a car dealership that has a brat cookout to raise money for a benefit or serves free brats as a customer appreciation day.

How many days per year may I operate?

All license options (temporary food stand, mobile restaurant, mobile retail) allow you an unlimited number of non-consecutive days per year.  The temporary food stand license only allows up to 14 consecutive days at a single location.

How many events or locations may I operate at per year?

All licenses above allow you an unlimited number of events or locations per year.  The mobile licenses allow you to operate at locations that are not associated with a community event; however, always check with the local municipality to determine if they require a separate permit or have restrictions on where you can set up your food truck.

Does a licensed restaurant or retail food establishment owner need another food license to operate somewhere other than the restaurant or store?

Yes, you will need to have another retail license or transient event license.

Who is exempt from licensing?

Whether food is being sold or given away to the public, a food license is required with the following exceptions:

  1. A non-profit organization serving meals for 3 or fewer days a year.
  2.  A non-profit organization serving non-meal food (e.g. ice cream, desserts) for 12 or fewer days a year.
  3. Giving away bite-sized portions of food (samples).

Temporary Food Stand Self Study Exam

If your non-profit organization is applying for a reduced-fee permit, a trained supervisor must be present at the food stand at all times of operation.  If you complete this test with a passing score of 80% or higher, you will be considered a trained supervisor. This open-book test is based on information in the booklet linked below.  Print the test, fill out the answer sheet and mail it to the address indicated on the form.  The certificate will be sent by mail or e-mail to you directly.  The certificate is valid for 5 years.