Local permits & fees

Racine County, WI Food Facility Permits

Restaurants and food trucks.

Central Racine County Health Department / Racine County Public Health Division (county); City of Racine Public Health Department (City of Racine); both act as agents for WI DATCP · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Confirm the authority for your exact address. Some cities run their own health division, and building, planning, fire, sewer/grease and business-license approvals are separate even when Central Racine County Health Department / Racine County Public Health Division (county); City of Racine Public Health Department (City of Racine); both act as agents for WI DATCP issues the health permit.

About 399 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 196,613. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)

Last verified: 2026-08-17 — we re-confirmed the serving authority, its contact, and that the fees below match the current published schedule. Fee schedules may carry an earlier effective date (shown per fee); local ordinances & amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date? Report an update →

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment license (WI DATCP agent)

Fee not published online — contact the department.

Central Racine County Health Department (WI DATCP agent) does not publish its retail food fee schedule online; left null; For reference only, the separate City of Racine Public Health Department 2022 schedule lists retail food establishment SERVING MEALS at: Prepackaged TCS $305.00, Simple $320.00, Moderate $570.00, Complex $770.00. In WI a license from any single agent jurisdiction is valid statewide, but plan review, inspection and renewal stay with the issuing authority

Plan review — required

Fee not published online.

Reach the department

Phone(262) 898-4460

EmailRCPHinfo@racinecounty.com

Office9531 Rayne Rd., Suite V, Sturtevant, WI 53177

Websitecrchd.com →

Inspection grading

Routine inspection — no public letter grade

Wisconsin DATCP/agent local health departments inspect under the Wisconsin Food Code (priority/core violations); no letter grade or score. Reports online via DATCP's inspection portal.

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Retail Food Establishment license

Fee not published online — contact the department.

Central Racine County HD amount not published online; For reference, City of Racine (2022): Mobile Retail Food Establishment Base $210.00; Ice Cream Truck/Cart $120.00. Transient (mobile) food establishments are a distinct license class under WI ATCP 75

How to apply

Racine County fees & payment information →Forms & applications →

Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.

Local food-service market

About 399 food & drinking establishments serve ~196,613 residents in Racine County — one per ~493 residents, sparser than the Wisconsin average (one per ~430).

U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).

Watch out for

Two separate agent authorities inside the county: Central Racine County HD (Franksville, 262-898-4460) for most of the county and City of Racine PHD for the city
WI retail food fees are set by each DATCP agent; the county's specific dollar amounts are not published online
City of Racine differentiates fees by 'serving meals' vs; 'not serving meals' and by complexity (prepackaged/simple/moderate/complex)

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Grocery / market with deli	—	Retail food not serving meals covers groceries/markets
Pushcart / mobile vending	—	Mobile retail base fee calculated on assigned risk category
Temporary / seasonal event	—	Transient food establishment license class under WI ATCP 75

Equipment your Racine County plan review will check

Health-department plan review looks for specific, code-compliant fixtures. Compare spec-filtered options, then confirm counts and sizes with your local requirements. See the full list in what equipment a commercial kitchen requires.

Compartment sinks

3-bay wash / rinse / sanitize — sized to your menu

Hand sinks

required in prep, cook & warewashing areas

Grease traps / interceptors

sized by drainage fixture units

Reach-in refrigeration

cold-holding at 41°F or below

Work tables & surfaces

NSF-listed, non-absorbent

Hoods & ventilation

over cooking equipment; make-up air

Dishwashers

high-temp or chemical sanitizing

Nearby counties

Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Racine County with its neighbors.

Allegan County, MI

Restaurant permit: $30

Ottawa County, MI

Restaurant permit: $372

Kenosha County, WI

Restaurant permit: $263

Milwaukee County, WI

Restaurant permit: $605

Walworth County, WI

Restaurant permit: See page

Waukesha County, WI

Restaurant permit: $101

How to open: typical permitting sequence

This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.

Confirm whether Racine County or another local jurisdiction (city/district) handles your exact address.
Confirm zoning and permitted use.
Prepare your menu and scaled plans.
Include an equipment schedule with ANSI/NSF spec sheets.
Submit water-heater and hood documentation.
Pay plan-review fees.
Respond to plan-check corrections.
Obtain Environmental Health plan approval.
Obtain building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals.
Schedule rough-plumbing, pre-final and final health inspections.
Pay the operating-permit / application fees.
Receive approval before storing or preparing food.

Frequently asked questions

Is plan review required in Racine County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility.

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Racine County?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Central Racine County HD amount not published online; For reference, City of Racine (2022): Mobile Retail Food Establishment Base $210.00; Ice Cream Truck/Cart $120.00. Transient (mobile) food establishments are a distinct license class under WI ATCP 75

Who issues food permits in Racine County?

Food permits here are issued by Central Racine County Health Department / Racine County Public Health Division (county); City of Racine Public Health Department (City of Racine); both act as agents for WI DATCP. See the department site for current details.

Are city building and fire approvals separate?

Yes — building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals are always separate from the health permit and are often handled by different offices.

Wisconsin statewide rules

Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.

What equipment you need

Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.

Permits & plan review, explained

The stack of approvals before you open.

Sources: crchd.com · cityofracinewi.gov · datcp.wi.gov · observed 2026-08-10